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Despite recent reports that Channel Nine had not been able to secure a deal with former rights holder Seven West Media to show the Australia Open from 2019, Channel Nine has now secured the broadcast rights for the tennis Grand Slam a year earlier than expected.

While Nine had already agreed to pay $300 million to secure the rights over five years from 2020, it will now pay an extra $48.5 million to show the tournament in 2019.

In a statement, the network advised “under the terms of the landmark agreement, Nine has now secured the exclusive rights to all world-class tennis played in Australia from 2019 to 2024.

“The rights granted for the one-year extension are exactly as per the original deal, meaning Nine has acquired all audio-visual rights for broadcast, streaming, mobile, digital and social platforms, starting with the coming summer of tennis.”

Nine Chief Executive Hugh Marks added “there’s an air of excitement at Nine about being the new home of tennis, so to be able to start our new deal a year early brings us all much delight.

“As I said back in March, the timing of tennis and the audience demographics it delivers are a perfect fit for Nine and its advertisers.

“We’re also mighty pleased to have been able to settle on a price for the additional year that is consistent with our original offer to Seven.”

Welcoming the new opportunity, Tennis Australia Chief Executive and Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley commented “2019 marks a new era for Tennis Australia with a new domestic broadcast partner in Nine.

“We’ve enjoyed a 40-plus year partnership with the Seven Network and are glad we could reach an agreement which is in all our best interests.”

The 2019 Australian Open runs from 14th to 27th January. 

Images: Roger Federer wins the 2018 Australian Open (top) and Tennis Australia President Jayne Hrdlicka and Nine Network Chief Executive Hugh Marks announce their broadcast partnership in March (below).

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