beIN Sports Asia acquires French Open rights
January 7, 2022
beIN Sports has secured exclusive rights to Roland-Garros, the French Open tennis tournament, in 10 territories across the Asia region. The new media rights agreement covers five editions of the tournament from 2022 to 2026.
The Asian territories included in the agreement are Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Philippines, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. The tournament coverage will be shown live on beIN Sports channels available on major pay-TV platforms in the region, including on beIN’s live streaming app, beIN Sports Connect.
beIN Sports is currently the broadcast rights holder for the ATP Tour in Australia and Singapore and has plans to expand its rights to include other territories in the region. The acquisition of Roland-Garros is one of the first Grand Slams to be added to its tennis offering in Asia.
Mike Kerr, MD of beIN Sports Asia Pacific, said: “As the only Grand Slam played on clay and most unforgiving of all tournaments, Roland-Garros is arguably the best spectacle tennis has to offer. We are excited to include it in our ever-expanding line-up of premium sports content on beIN Sports. Our goal is to build a strong tennis proposition and strengthen the great sport we have on offer across our platforms. The tournament will form a core part of our group-wide beINSPIRED efforts, as we aim to inspire the next generation of athletes and fans – regardless of gender, race or background. Our role as broadcaster goes beyond the screen, which is why we want to contribute meaningfully through our beINSPIRED initiatives.”
Gilles Moretton, President of French Tennis Federation, added: “We are very pleased to have signed this broadcast agreement with beIN Sports. As well as underscoring the ever-increasing interest of tennis fans in the tournament, it will enhance the status that Roland-Garros enjoys in South East Asia.”