Eurosport has secured a renewal of its long-term partnership for pan-European coverage of the French Open.
The new seven-year deal with Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT), organisers of the second grand slam tournament on the yearly tennis calendar, grants Eurosport exclusive Pay TV rights across Europe for the rest of the decade and beyond.
It covers live TV and digital rights until 2021 in 13 of Eurosport’s European territories, including Great Britain, as well as Italy and Spain, two strong tennis nations with a long tradition on clay.
In the UK, the French Open will continue to be extensively covered on both British Eurosport and British Eurosport 2, plus in high-definition.
In addition, live coverage will also be made available on PC, mobile, tablets and connected TV via Eurosport Player, Eurosport’s online TV service.
Subscribers to Eurosport Player will continue to benefit from an ever-improved live multi-court service.
The pan-European broadcaster already had a three-year rights deal for the French Open covering 2012 to 2014, alongside the free-to-air rights deal in the UK with ITV.
Jean Thierry Augustin, CEO, 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.”
Despite losing the rights to the WTA Tour’s premier events to BT Sport from 2014, British Eurosport will continue selected tournaments throughout the year from both the men’s and women’s circuits.
Eurosport is the UK’s pay-TV home to three of the four grand slam tournaments, alongside a range of top tournaments throughout the year.
It will continue to screen extensive coverage of the Australian Open until at least 2016, and also holds secondary rights to the US Open, alongside Sky Sports, to 2017.
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.”
Eurosport’s new deal extends the broadcaster’s relationship with the tournament to beyond 30 years.
Peter Hutton of MP&Silva, the international media rights agency behind Eurosport’s new deal, said: “We are very proud of our long term partnership with the French Tennis Federation, and delighted to be able to announce this new agreement with Eurosport.
“We are determined to further grow the visibility and profile of Roland Garros and this is a very significant step along the way, given Eurosport’s commitment to the event and to the sport.”
The French Open’s future on free-to-air television in the UK is expected to confirmed shortly. ITV’s current three-year deals comes to an end with next year’s tournament.
Well done BritishEurosport for winning the pay TV rights of the French Open Tennis, I hope you will aquire the US Open aswell and the Australian Open so you will have three out of the Four Slams.