Australian Open TV rights to soar due to Nick Kyrgios factor

Nick Kyrgios’ run at Wimbledon has added an extra dimension to the looming battle for the TV rights to the Australian Open.

The crowd-pulling power of Nick Kyrgios is expected to increase the cost of the next broadcast deal for the first grand slam tournament of the calendar year. Picture: Getty Images

Nick Kyrgios’ run at Wimbledon has added an extra dimension to the looming battle for the TV rights to the Australian Open, with the controversial player’s crowd-pulling power expected to increase the cost of the next broadcast deal for the first grand slam tournament of the calendar year.

Nine currently holds the exclusive rights to screen the Australian Open, having paid $350m for a six-year contract from 2019 to 2024, inclusive.

But with rival network Seven widely expected to make a strong play for the next ­broadcast deal, coupled with the breakout performance of ­Kyrgios at Wimbledon, Nine will probably have to write a bigger cheque next time than the one it gave Tennis Australia in 2019.

Earlier this year, in the weeks after Ash Barty’s triumph at the Australian Open – which delivered ratings gold for Nine – this newspaper reported the winning bidder for the TV rights to the grand slam tournament could be forced to offer an ­unprecedented $100m a year, or $500m over the next five years, largely due to Barty’s extraordinary appeal.

However, TA revised its expectations following Barty’s announcement in March that she was retiring.

Ash Barty waves to the crowd after winning the Australian Open this year. Picture: David Caird

Now, the pendulum has swung back in TA’s favour, with Kyrgios’ run at Wimbledon delivering strong ratings figures for Nine (which holds the local broadcast rights for the London grand slam tournament), and the promise of record viewing numbers when he next appears at Melbourne Park in January.

One industry insider told The Australian that aside from the AFL and the NRL, the rights to the Australian Open could easily become the most valuable free-to-air sporting broadcast deal in the next two years.

Adding intrigue to the battle for the next free-to-air TV rights deal for the Australian Open is Seven’s relationship breakdown with Cricket Australia.

Late last month, Seven launched legal proceedings against Cricket Australia in the Federal Court, in a bid to terminate its six-year, $450m broadcast deal with the sporting body.

Regardless of the outcome of the case, Seven’s contract with Cricket Australia is due to expire in March 2024, and the next Australian Open TV rights deal commences in January 2025.

By then, Seven will have a sporting war-chest at its disposal – assuming that it no longer intends to pay top dollar to broadcast Test cricket and or BBL – and the media company’s chief executive James Warburton has publicly stated his interest in the Australian Open.

Nine boss Mike Sneesby said earlier this year that it was feasible for Nine to potentially hold the free-to-air rights for both cricket and tennis at the same time, but that scenario is looking increasingly unlikely as Kyrgios’ box-office appeal soars.