ESS to serve out Aussie Open till 2014

Singapore - ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has secured a new seven year contract for the Australian Open covering cable and satellite, IPTV, DTH and terrestrial rights as well as for new media platforms such as mobile telephony and internet.

The new contract gives ESS rights for the entire territory including China for 2008, while beginning 2009 the rights will cover 23 countries across SE Asia, South Asia and North Asia with the exception of China.

"With the strong equity that our brands enjoy across Asia and the strength of our new media platforms including mobile and online, we are committed to further strengthen the appeal and distribution of Australian Open across Asia and to continue its growth as the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific," Manu Sawhney, MD for ESS, said.

Tennis Australia CEO Steve Wood said the new deal marked a new chapter in a very strong relationship with ESS.

ESS tennis coverage includes in-house production such as Ace, a programme that features latest results and updates in sport as well as interviews with top ranked players.