Seven Network "will launch a paid digital service for its coverage of next year's Australian Open, as the free-to-air television broadcaster locks in major sponsorship deals for the grand slam tennis tournament," according to Jake Mitchell of THE AUSTRALIAN. The 7Tennis app "will live stream 619 matches across the summer," which includes the Australian Open, Hopman Cup, Fast 4 and Sydney Int'l, for mobile and online. The 7Tennis paid or "freemium" option will offer live streams in HD, on-demand replays of "selected matches," and "less advertising" for a one-time A$9.99 ($7.49) fee. Seven Chief Digital Officer Clive Dickens said, "This has all been in response to consumer feedback. We in the content industry have got to do a better job of listening to our consumers and that's what we're doing." Seven has signed "major" sponsors including ANZ, Blackmores, Kia, Bunnings APT and Industry Super Funds, with the top-tier packages "believed to be worth" more than A$2M ($1.5M). Broadcast TV "will still account for about" 90% of the revenue, and 95% of the audience, from Seven's Australian Open coverage (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/12).
