Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

The ATP and Le Sports have announced a new partnership which sees China’s revolutionary digital sports broadcasting company become Official Online Video Partner and Platinum Partner of the ATP World Tour, as well as the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, for a five-year period beginning in 2016.

In addition, through ATP Media, broadcast arm of the ATP, Le Sports has acquired the exclusive digital media rights to the ATP World Tour Masters 1000s and 500 tournaments in China over the same period.

Le Sports will bring live action of more than 20 of the biggest tournaments on the ATP World Tour, as well as the ATP’s weekly magazine TV show, ATP World Tour Uncovered, offering fans unique behind-the-scenes access of the ATP World Tour to a rapidly growing audience on its digital platforms.

Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman & President, said: “As we continue to focus our efforts on expansion in the digital media sphere, the ATP is delighted to have reached this agreement with Le Sports that will help us to reach and connect with new audiences in one of our most important markets. We look forward to a successful partnership over the next five years.”

Mr. Lei Zhenjian, CEO of Le Sports, said: “As the world’s premier tennis organization, ATP World Tour and its events are extremely popular in China. Connectivity is the key function of the Internet, we hope our cooperation can help more people connect with sports, and generate more exchange between China and the world’s sports industry. We hope that with Le Sports’ unique internet eco-system and by joining forces with ATP World Tour, we can help further promote the sport of tennis in China, provide enhanced watching experience to Chinese fans, and encourage more people to play and enjoy this amazing sport.”

Mark Webster, CEO, ATP Media, said: “We are delighted that Le Sports have acquired the digital rights in China to the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and 500 events along with our season finale, the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. We have no doubt that Le Sports will provide the passion and superb production values required to showcase the finest male tennis players competing in the world’s most exciting venues.” As with all our broadcasters, we look forward to a collaborative relationship where ATP Media can offer the extra service which serves as the benchmark in the sports broadcast industry.”

As part of the partnership, Le Sports will receive on-court branding at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and will also become the presenting sponsor of the video section on the Tour’s flagship website, ATPWorldTour.com, the No.1 tennis digital portal which recorded 325 million visits in 2014.

Le Sports recently have acquired a number of media rights deals in 2015, including the rights to Wimbledon from 2016-2018, in addition to exclusive rights to English soccer’s Premier League in Hong Kong from 2016-2019.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.