Big TV Deal With Eurosport and the French Open

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 27th November 2013

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

Big TV Deal With Eurosport and the French Open

epa03920154 YEARENDER 2013 JUNE Serena Williams of the USA celebrates winning her final match against Maria Sharapova of Russia in the women's final for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 08 June 2013. EPA/CAROLINE BLUMBERG |

With six of the eight Grand Slam singles titles going to European players in 2013, tennis television rights in Europe remain big business.

Now Eurosport has signed a new long-term partnership with the Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT) for pan-European television coverage of the French Open at Roland Garros that stretches until 2021.

In Britain Eurosport, long time outlet for WTA women’s tennis, was outbid by the new BT Sport who in 2014 will have exclusive rights to the five elite WTA tournaments – Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing and the WTA Championships, relocated to Singapore.

However Eurosport was determined to maintain a tennis presence and won a new agreement, brokered by MP&Silva, the international media rights agency, that secured rights to screen live and highlights action from Roland Garros in all Eurosport’s European territories, with the exception of host country, France. The new deal concentrates on key markets, in particular in Italy and Spain, two strong tennis nations with a long tradition on clay.

Jean Thierry Augustin, CEO of the Eurosport Group said: ““I’m really happy we’ve strengthened our partnership with the FFT. We have now taken it to a whole new level, both in length, until 2021, and intensity, with additional rights.

“I’m particularly delighted that we now hold full rights in Spain. Tennis is part of our DNA attracting millions. Our live coverage of Roland Garros alone reaches more than 60 million viewers each year on Eurosport and Eurosport 2.”

In response Michel Grach, Director of Media and Sponsorship at the French Tennis Federation said: “Eurosport is a key partner for us.

“Eurosport’s experience and top quality live coverage of the past 25 editions of Roland Garros contributes hugely to the international fame of our tournament. We can all expect an exciting edition in 2014 and we look forward to attracting massive audiences again in Europe.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Eurosport, FFT, French Open, Grand Slam, Jean Thierry, Roland Garros, Tennis, Tennis News, Wta