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Nine to seek discount over Australian Open delay

Nine sees the date change as a default to its broadcasting agreement and concerns it could affect MAFS.

Nine will look for a discount on its $300 million five-year deal with Tennis Australia over the delay of next year’s Australian Open.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Nine sees the date change as a default to its broadcasting agreement and is concerned it could affect the launch and size of audiences for Married at First Sight.

Nine News has previously reported the event would shift to a February 8 start date with tennis sources saying that is now the earliest that the competition will begin. But TA is facing increased costs, estimated at $40 million, to cover charter flights, player and entourage quarantine costs, meals and accommodation. The Victorian Govt has indicated it will also help, as the event is a major drawcard, as well as rent relief from The Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust.

No such discount will be forthcoming for Seven and 10 who will also face upheaval to their programming schedules, which kick off in January, ahead of a February 7 survey start.

Nine and Tennis Australia both declined to comment.

24 Responses

  1. As I have said before, it is about time that the networks realised that the sports rights are to much, and I do not blame 9 for trying to reduce their spending, but they signed up for the Tennis, at the rate, now they suddenly realise that they may be paying too much for the sport. Too bad that they didn’t realise it prior to signing. Like, 7 they are crying poor out of their own doing.

  2. TCN9 = Total Crap Network
    Channel is absolutely crap these day.
    The people who make this network the most popular free to air network are dumb and stupid because Channel 9 is absolutely crap a band they haven’t broadcast anything good in years. Channel 9 need to get rid of overexposed Scott Cam (never trust a tradie who’s won a logie), Karl Steffanovic, Eddie McGuire plus the Channel 9 NRL coverage is pure crap get rid of Ray Warren, Phil Gould and the other crap commentators. Channel 9 is crap always was and always will be. Channel 7 is not much better and Channel 10 not much better either

  3. I can see both points of views. Just because it’s a hit in January doesn’t mean it will be a hit in February. It leaves a hole in the schedule so I can see why Nine might want a discount.

    At the same time with less ticket revenue, TA need this money to keep the Aus Open strong.

    I guess it depends on how this rates in February

  4. Anyway Tennis is a hell of a lot better then that absolute trash Married At First Sight.
    Married At First Sight should be aced and not allowed on tv under government regulations as it’s a disgrace to marriage.
    It’s Not Married At First Sight
    It should be called
    Marriage Bitch Fight
    Anyway Channel 9 will just put the Tennis on 9gem and Stan Sport

    1. “Not allowed on tv under government regulations” starts to get us into censorship. If it’s classified appropriately viewers can make the choice about watching or not… where TV doesn’t rate networks dump.

    2. Why would Nine put one of their most watched events on a multi-channel, let alone the money they’re forking out. Besides, Tennis Australia wouldn’t let them, as Craig Tiley said a few years ago (when initially Seven were going to air their first summer of cricket and last summer of tennis simultaneously) “we expect Seven to broadcast the Australian Open on their primary channel as per our contract”. This I think caused Seven to quickly act and on-sell 2019 to Nine.

  5. You know i can understand Seven asking about the cricket because lets face it, yeah its different because of the nature of that sport but Nine asking for a reduction on the Australian Open which is being pushed into the ratings year? Thats rich. I’m sure any other network would love to have the Australian Open open their ratings year, even if they don’t have crowds. I know Seven pushed for years to no avail. I wouldn’t budge.

    1. Definitely tennis Australia should ask for more money, lots more viewers in the ratings season, as people back to work and into a nightly routine, should ask for another $50million to cover all the extra costs this year at the least from 9.

  6. $300mil for 5 years? sounds like tennis is one of the more reasonably priced sporting rights, don’t ten pay $100mil per year for the melbourne cup?

    don’t think 9 have much leverage here, i’m sure tennis australia would gladly walk away, and another network would be happy to make a deal.

    1. Channel 10 paid $100M for 5 years well over what 7 has paid which was between 2-5M per year ,so that’s 20M per year for a 4 day event or $5M per day ,now that’s overpaying.

    1. +1 to this, if anything Tennis Australia should go back and ask for more $$$, this is manna from heaven for 9 and will cause massive headaches for 7 (and 10)

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