MUMBAI: Sony Six is set to telecast the Grand Slam of Asia Pacific region, the Australian Open, in India for duration of five years. The channel will exclusively telecast all the matches of the tournament live from 2015 till 2019.  Having shown ATP tournaments earlier, this will be Six’s first entry into broadcasting a Grand Slam event.

Commenting on the development, MSM CEO NP Singh said, “Over the years, the Australian Open has established itself as one of the most watched tennis grand slams across the world. Going by the strong equity that the sport enjoys, we are committed to expand the distribution of the tournament further and thereby strengthen our position in the market.”

Six EVP and business head Prasana Krishnan commented, “The tournament is seen as a season opener which sets the context for all tennis competitions that follow during the rest of the calendar year. Needless to say, we are proud to have this prestigious event as part of our bouquet of international sports content.”

The Open is held annually over the last fortnight of January in Melbourne Australia. First held in 1905, the tournament is chronologically the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events of the year. The tournament features men's and women's singles; men's, women's, and mixed doubles and junior's championships; as well as wheelchair, legends and exhibition events. Since 1988, the tournament has been played on hard courts at Melbourne Park.

Tennis Australia CEO and Australian Open Tournament director Craig Tiley said, “I’m delighted that we are partnering with MSM in India for the Australian Open. MSM presented a compelling proposition and demonstrated a commitment to promote the event and the sport of tennis in India cementing our position as the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific.”