Los Angeles - The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced on Monday a new deal with ESPN (NYSE: DIS) for the cable TV broadcast and digital rights to the US Open grand slam tennis tournament, ending its 25-year deal with USA Network. The six-year pact, which begins in 2009 and was worth nearly $140, according to the Wall Street Journal, will see ESPN offer 200 hours of US Open coverage. ESPN will also offer live feeds on the ESPN360 broadband service, comprehensive coverage on ESPN.com, and various content on ESPN Mobile.

New York - Yahoo on Thursday announced an agreement with USA Network that will see music from emerging artists played on Yahoo Music's Launchcast radio service promoted on USA Network programs. Under the deal, Yahoo Music will track consumer feedback on independent and unsigned artists on Launchcast, and recommend well-performing artists and music to USA Network. USA will then "sign" the artists for an "incubation period," utilizing their recordings for marketing and programming on the network. The companies said veteran record producer and music supervisor Spencer Proffer of Meteor 17 will oversee the project.

New York - NBC Universal announced on Thursday that its USA Network has partnered with The Westminster Kennel Club, to enable dog enthusiasts to purchase and download individual judging videos for all 165 breeds from the 131st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. As in previous years, users will still be able to watch free streaming video of the breed judging events within hours of the live telecasts next week; the downloadable videos will become available a week after the live telecast.