Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports Europe, the regional division of the media and entertainment giant, has announced record digital audiences for its coverage of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament's first week.

WBD holds rights across Europe to the tournament - one of tennis’ four annual grand slams - under a 10-year deal struck with the Tennis Australia governing body in 2021 and running through 2031, which it shows through its pan-European sports broadcaster Eurosport and Discovery+ streaming services. 

WBD Sports Europe said on Discovery+ audiences have grown by 13% overall after eight days of competition compared to the 2023 edition, with total minutes watched rising by 17%. 

The largest regional increases on Discovery+ were in Finland (45%), Denmark (26%), and Germany (24%).

On WBD’s Eurosport App, viewership grew by 25% in Hungary and 13% in France.

Meanwhile, the free-to-access Eurosport.com website has seen a 17% growth in unique users across all markets as well as an increase in video minutes watched by 49%. 

Local increases in Eurosport.com visits include Norway’s 52%, Romania’s 33%, Italy’s 32%, France’s 17%, and the Netherlands’ 15%.

Additionally, video views on Eurosport’s Tennis YouTube and Instagram pages during week one have more than doubled when compared to last year’s edition.

Discovery+ will continue to show the Australian Open in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the UK, and Ireland.

WBD also secured year-on-year audience growth for its coverage of the Australian Open’s opening week last year, with its streaming audiences increasing by almost a third across Europe when compared to 2022’s figures.