Momentous Moment For Squash As PSA Join Forces With Tennis Channel
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 atwww.tennischanneleverywhere.com