Nine wins tennis broadcast rights from Seven

CHANNEL 9 has snatched the broadcasting rights to premium tennis events, including the Australian Open, from rival Seven after more than 40 years at the network.

CHANNEL 9 has scored a major coup and snatched the broadcasting rights to premium tennis events including the Australian Open from rival Seven.

The five-year-deal, worth $300 million, will see Nine televise the local Grand Slam as well as the Hopman Cup, and the Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart Internationals from 2020.

“We are very excited to have secured the rights to premium Australian tennis, including the Australian Open,” Nine CEO Hugh Marks said.

“The timing of tennis, and the audience demographics are a perfect fit for Nine’s audience and advertisers.”

The loss of the Australian Open is a massive body blow for Seven which has been broadcasting tennis for more than four decades.

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Roger Federer after winning the 2018 Australian Open Men's Singles Final. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

The tennis has helped promote Seven shows including My Kitchen Rules. HostsPete Evans and Manu Feildel. Picture: Channel 7

The Australian Open not only rates exceptionally well but has been a powerful promotional platform for Seven shows including My Kitchen Rules.

The combination of the Australian Open, as well as ratings blockbuster Married at First Sight, would give Nine an unstoppable start to the ratings year.

“The ramifications of Nine winning the rights to the Australian Open tennis is seismic,” media analyst Steve Allen said.

“This deal not only impacts the fortunes of Nine and Seven but also Cricket Australia which is in the middle of its own broadcast rights negotiations.

“Now Nine will start the year with a bang and it will be hard for Seven to keep up.”

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The fate of Seven’s near 30-strong tennis commentary team, including Jim Courier, is unknown.

Jim Courier and Lleyton Hewitt in the Channel 7 commentary box.

Nine has acquired exclusive live rights including free-to-air, subscription television, streaming, mobile and social media as well as extensive catch-up rights under the new deal.

Nine insiders insist that the new tennis deal won’t dampen its interest in cricket. It is believed that Nine and CBS-owned Ten have put together a joint bid to Cricket Australia.

The cricket bid, if successful, would see likely seen Nine keep Tests and One Day matches with Ten retaining Big Bash. Foxtel would also likely televise matches when there is a scheduling clash.

Seven had been paying Tennis Australia a reported $35 million per year under the current Australian Open deal, which ends with the 2019 tournament.

Seven’s exclusive negotiating period expired in March allowing Nine to enter the fray with an offer of $60 million per year.

The 2017 Men’s Final saw more than 3.6 million viewers tune in. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Nine insiders insist that the new tennis deal won’t dampen its interest in cricket. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Mr Allen says televising the Australian Open tennis as well as the Summer of Cricket would be a monumental challenge for Nine.

“I don’t see how Nine can give both sports the cross-platform (using digital channels and online) coverage they deserve and that Seven has brought to the tennis,” Mr Allen said.

Caroline Wozniacki celebrates her 2018 Australian Open win over Simona Halep. Picture: Mark Stewart

Losing the Australian Open tennis couldn’t come at a worse time for Seven which has just endured the flop of Australian Spartan.

The Australian Open has been a big ratings winner for Seven. The 2017 Men’s Final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is one of the highest-rating events of recent times with more than 3.6 million viewers across the country.

Todd Woodbridge is part of Seven’s 30-strong tennis commentary team. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Seven is in the midst of a massive cost-cutting exercise after Worner announced cost-cutting including redundancies and the consolidation of its Sydney offices.

Yesterday Seven West Media announced that it was dumping its stake in Yahoo7.

The fate of Seven’s near 30-strong tennis commentary team including Jim Courier, Lleyton Hewitt, Todd Woodbridge and Rennae Stubbs is unknown.