Advanced Television

Amazon aces US Open Tennis rights for UK

April 19, 2018

By Colin Mann

In a further sign of the growing importance of the importance of sports rights to SVoD providers, Amazon Prime Video has been granted the exclusive live telecast rights to the US Open Tennis Championships in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The five-year agreement, which begins with the 2018 US Open, will bring live and on-demand content to Prime Video members in both territories at no additional cost.

In August 2017, Amazon won the UK rights to the ATP World Tour from Sky, at the time making Amazon Prime Video the home for practically all top men’s tennis other than the four grand slams. It now has the rights to one of the four major tournaments.

Prime Video members in the UK and Ireland will have access to live match play emanating from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. Prime Video will also provide access to on-demand match highlights and other content.

Prime Video members in the UK and Ireland will be able to watch US Open content across more than 600 devices on the Prime Video app for TVs, game consoles, set-top boxes and connected devices, including Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, mobile devices and online.

“This new partnership allows the USTA to showcase our live and on-demand content to Amazon Prime Video members throughout the UK and Ireland,” commented Lew Sherr, USTA Chief Revenue Officer. “We are excited to market the telecasts via Prime Video and provide fans more ways to watch tennis matches.”

“Prime Video is focused on bringing customers a great selection of high-quality entertainment across drama, comedy, documentaries, live sports and more,” said Jay Marine, Vice President, Prime Video Europe. “We are delighted to now offer Prime Video members US Open tennis at no extra cost to their membership, right alongside their favourite shows and movies.”

“We are proud to partner with the USTA to add the US Open to the growing portfolio of sports available on Prime Video,” declared Alex Green, Managing Director, Channels & Sports, Prime Video Europe. “This prestigious event, along with the other exciting tennis coming this year and next, makes Prime Video a destination for tennis fans in the UK and Ireland.”

 

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