Momentous
Moment For Squash As PSA Join Forces With Tennis Channel
The Professional
Squash Association (PSA) have today announced a ground-breaking, long-term
partnership with US Broadcaster Tennis Channel that will vastly expand squash’s
presence and visibility in the United States.
Under the
multi-year agreement, Tennis Channel will become the exclusive North American
broadcast partner of the PSA, and show close to 170 hours of top-tier squash
competition on the network and its digital subscription service, Tennis Channel
Plus, in the upcoming year.
Beginning in
March, 10 PSA tournaments will appear on Tennis Channel and Tennis Channel Plus
throughout the year, among them prestigious events like the British Open, US
Open, PSA World Series Finals and PSA World Championship. Tennis Channel Plus
will carry all matches live and on-demand, with delayed telecasts of select
events to follow on the linear channel, including a weekly “Squash Sunday”
programming block.
At a time when
squash is enjoying a period of unprecedented growth across the United States –
epitomized by success stories like American Amanda Sobhy’s advance to the upper
echelons of the worldwide professional rankings – Tennis Channel and Tennis
Channel Plus will provide new avenues for the sport into millions of previously
unreached American homes.
“We are delighted
to have reached an agreement with Tennis Channel and feel certain that this is
the beginning of a partnership that will be of huge benefit to squash not just
in America, but all around the world,”
said PSA CEO Alex Gough.
“Tennis Channel
will take live squash into the homes of millions of American citizens and to an
audience who have never before engaged with the sport and we look forward to
working closely with the team to ensure squash becomes a valuable part of their
portfolio throughout the coming years.”
Tennis Channel’s
initial PSA telecast will take place Sunday, March 1, at 4 p.m. ET, with the
J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions. In January Tennis Channel Plus provided
live coverage of the event, held in Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal, and
continues to offer on-demand replays.
“We’re excited to
work with the Professional Squash Association to elevate the sport’s profile in
the United States while expanding Tennis Channel’s portfolio at the same time,”
said Jeremy Langer, vice president, programming, Tennis Channel.
“Our Tennis
Channel Plus subscription service gives squash players everywhere the chance to
access their sport live or on-demand in a way that wasn’t possible before. We
also expect the PSA’s investment in broadcast-production quality, along with
squash’s fast pace and athleticism, to generate a number of fans as newcomers to
our sport sample our digital and televised coverage.”
In addition to
the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, Tennis Channel and Tennis Channel Plus
will show this year’s Metrosquash Windy City Open, Canary Wharf Classic, El
Gouna International, British Open, PSA World Series Finals, US Open, Qatar
Classic, PSA World Championship and Sun Hung Kai Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open
as part of the agreement reached with Broadreach Media. Tennis Channel also
will work closely with US Squash, the administrative body responsible for the
development of squash across America, to offer unique advertising opportunities
to existing partners and help connect major brands with the rapidly growing
squash community.
Tennis Channel Plus is
available to all U.S.-based subscribers, regardless of whether or not they
currently subscribe to Tennis Channel or a pay-TV provider. An annual
subscription costs $69.99, with monthly and daily rates also available. More
information can be found at
www.tennischanneleverywhere.com