Momentous Moment For Squash As PSA Joins Forces With Tennis Channel by Nathan Clarke February 26, 2015
-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.
