Sunset+Vine wins new contract for short-format tennis tournament

Sunset+Vine has secured a three-year host broadcast production contract for the Tie Break Tens Series. Sunset+Vine has also brokered a rights deal in which UKTV, Britain’s biggest multichannel broadcaster, has secured the exclusive rights in the UK and Ireland for its free-to-air entertainment channel, DAVE.

The host production deal for this new, fast-paced ultra-competitive tennis format will see Sunset+Vine producing the World Feed as well as delivering all feature-led digital content for the series. In a separate agreement with UKTV, Sunset+Vine will also produce DAVE’s programming for the series.

Tie Break Tens is a short format of tennis in which only tie-breaks are played. Each match is a first-to-ten point tie break Every tournament crowns a winner and awards a winner-take-all cheque after a single, four-hour session of supercharged high pressure tennis.

Coverage of the 2017 Tie Break Tens series starts in Madrid (Thursday 4 May) where, for the first time, both men’s and women’s events will take place, side-by-side, in a knockout format.

Andrew Piller, Commercial Director at Sunset+Vine, said: “Sunset+Vine is excited to produce Tie Break Tens. It is a uniquely intense pro tennis tournament decided in a single ‘prime-time’ night. There’s no room for error with shorter 10-point tie break matches requiring the players to be at the top of their game with every shot, while the viewer gets to see a host of the world’s best players in action in a single session.

“Tie Break Tens delivers an aspect of the game not usually seen in the sport and that’s why we’re excited to have brokered the rights deal with UKTV and to be partnering DAVE to bring this event to the UK with a bold and innovative coverage.”

Victoria Sinclair, of Tie Break Tens, added: “We are delighted to have secured a long term production partnership with Sunset+Vine and for their work to secure UKTV’s Dave to be our exclusive television broadcaster of Tie Break Tens in the UK.

“Tie Break Tens is a fast-paced, innovative short-format of tennis designed to give spectators and television viewers a fantastic night of intense competition and entertainment. Dave, an innovative, free-to-air channel is a perfect fit for us as we seek to reach as many sports fans as possible, as well as introducing tennis to a new audience. Our research has shown that Tie Break Tens is particularly appealing to a younger viewer, who appreciate the pace and pressure this format offers, and so we are confident our partnership will deliver just that.”

Tie Break Tens is ordered by director of commissioning Richard Watsham and Dave general manager Steve North. It will be executive produced by UKTV’s Arch Dyson and Mike Brosnan for Sunset+Vine.

Richard Watsham, director of commissioning at UKTV, said: “I’m confident Sunset+Vine will capture the energy and speed of the Tie Break Tens event brilliantly with entire tournaments packed into four hours of live sports action. It’s fantastic to have world class tennis in an ultra-competitive format with top players live on Dave.”

Steve North, general manager for Dave, added: “The Tie Break Tens format is an excellent way to get shorter and faster matches giving a thrilling evening of tennis entertainment. It’s looking to do for tennis what Twenty20 did for cricket with significant levels of prize money attracting the very best players.”