Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has acquired the media rights to air Roland-Garros between 2022 and 2024. The more than three-year deal will give the broadcaster exclusive TV and digital rights to Roland-Garros, The French Open.
The broadcaster will telecast the tennis tournament on its sports channels in India and the subcontinent including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives and on its OTT platform.
The upcoming edition of Roland-Garros is to be played from May 22 to June 5. Sony Sports Network also broadcast the Australian Open, which is known to have the maximum reach of all Grand Slams shown in India. The 2022 edition of the tournament drew 22 million viewers, the company said, the highest recorded viewership in recent years. Considering its tennis repertoire, SPN will consider giving Roland-Garros similar coverage.
Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head of Sports Business for the network, said: “Following the successful broadcast of the Australian Open over the past years on our network, we are delighted to acquire the media rights to the prestigious Roland-Garros French. Open’s pedigree will help us cater to the ever-growing tennis fanbase in India. With this acquisition, we reiterate our goal of establishing Sony Sports Network as the home of global sporting events.”
French Tennis Federation President Gilles Moreton said: “This new agreement ensures maximum performance in India and its subcontinent. This means that our tournament will be celebrated in this part of the world where tennis fans and Roland-Garros fans are growing rapidly.”
Sony Pictures Networks India will telecast the tournament from May 22 at 2:30 pm, with a special focus on prime time matches for Indian fans.