Stan Sport has significantly bolstered its tennis portfolio, announcing a major sub-licensing agreement with beIN SPORTS to stream the WTA Tour in Australia. This deal solidifies Stan Sport’s position as a premier destination for tennis fans, providing year-round coverage of the women’s professional circuit.
Key Highlights of the Deal:
- Comprehensive Coverage: The agreement covers over 50 tournaments annually, ranging from 250 and 500-level events to the prestigious 1000-level tournaments and the season-ending WTA Finals.
- Star Power: Subscribers will gain access to matches featuring world number one Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and rising talent Mirra Andreeva.
- Australian Focus: Local fans can follow the journeys of Australian stars, including Ajla Tomljanovic, Daria Saville, Olivia Gadecki, and Maya Joint, throughout the global calendar.
- Launch Date: The coverage begins immediately with the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, starting March 7, available both live and on-demand.
A Strategic Expansion for Nine
Amanda Laing, Managing Director of Streaming and Broadcast at Nine, emphasized that the WTA Tour is a critical addition to their “market-leading portfolio.” The move aligns with the network’s broader strategy to prioritize elite women’s competitions, joining a lineup that already includes Grand Slam tennis, the WSL, the Rugby World Cup, and the Olympic Games.
John Armitage, Country Manager for beIN SPORTS ANZ, noted that the sub-licensing partnership is designed to “broaden access to the sport and ensure fans across Australia can follow the incredible depth of talent on the WTA Tour.”