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MUMBAI: French Open 2006 has graced Ten Sports at a time when
its hands are full with the India-West Indies cricket series. The
broadcaster has however found a way out by roping in Zee Sports
as a telecast partner for the tennis tourney.
According to a deal inked by both the broadcasters, while Ten Sports
retains the marketing rights, Zee Sports will exclusively telecast
all the final matches, which include Men Singles, Men Doubles, Women
Singles, Women Doubles and Mixed Doubles live. The other matches
will be available on both channels.
This arrangement has been necessitated because Ten Sports' focus
will of course be on West Indies versus India cricket series which
is shaping up to be a real classic confrontation.
Ten Sports VP programming Peter Hutton comments, "We have been
concerned for some time about the clashes every year between West
Indies cricket and our live coverage of the French Open. This new
arrangement will allow viewers to choose between their favourite sporting
events so that no one loses out."
Zee Sports business head Himanshu Mody adds, "We are delighted
to conclude the broadcast sharing agreement with Ten Sports for
one of the most exciting tennis events of the year." He further
added, "This acquisition adds to the exciting line up of tennis
properties on Zee Sports which includes WTA, Davis Cup and Fed Cup."
The agreement marks increasing co-operation between Ten Sports
and Zee Sports, after Ten recently sub-licensed the India versus
Pakistan cricket from Abu Dhabi from Zee for the Pakistan region,
points out an official release.
French Open 2006 is scheduled for 27 May to 13 June, while the
cricket series will go on till 30 June. The countries have already
played three One Day Internationals. The remaining matches will
be played as per the following schedule: May 26 Fourth ODI Trinidad
/ May 28 Fifth ODI Trinidad / Jun 02-06 First Test Antigua / Jun
10-14 Second Test St Lucia / June 22-26 Third Test St Kitts / June
30 - Jul 04 Fourth Test Jamaica.
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