ESPN, Tennis Channel to Share Rights to Australian Open, French Open

NEW YORK, January 31:
ESPN and The Tennis Channel in the U.S. will share the rights to the Australian
Open and the French Open through 2011.

In a multiyear
agreement, the networks announced that they would share coverage of the
Australian Open beginning in 2008. Previously, the Australian Open has been
televised exclusively on ESPN and ESPN2 since 1984. ESPN2 will maintain its
Australian Open schedule, which has exceeded 120 hours in recent years, and
includes extensive daily coverage such as live programming in prime time. When
ESPN2 is not on the air, The Tennis Channel will televise up to 100 hours from
Melbourne during both mornings and afternoons in addition to key prime-time
windows.

The Tennis Channel
acquired the U.S. broadcast and new media rights to the French Open last August
from the French Tennis Federation. ESPN and ESPN2 had televised the French Open
exclusively from 1986-1993 and from 2002-06. Starting from May 27, ESPN2
will be broadcasting 55 hours of action from the French Open. ESPN2 will
televise both women’s semifinals live and The Tennis Channel plans to televise
the French Open men’s semifinals. Both The Tennis Channel and ESPN will be
employing advanced new media applications for the French Open, including
highlights and live streaming for broadband ESPN360, ESPN.com and
TheTennisChannel.com.

"This landmark deal is a win-win-win for fans, the
sport and the networks, expanding the coverage of these two premiere events and
keeping ESPN the Grand Slam Network," said John Skipper, ESPN’s EVP of
content. "ESPN, the leading sports brand, will team with The Tennis
Channel, dedicated 24/7 to the sport, to build both the French Open and
Australian Open brands and increase exposure on television, online and via
broadband in a manner that hasn't been seen before."