Tennis Channel#Streaming channel

In 2001, Tennis Channel was founded by Steve Bellamy in the shed in his backyard; Bellamy soon hired Bruce Rider to head up programming and marketing.{{cite magazine |last=Cantrell |first=Cynthia |date=July 2004 |title=The Medium is the Message |url=http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2004/07/the_medium_is_the_message.html |magazine=Tennis Industry |publisher=USRSA |access-date=January 28, 2016 }} A group known as the "Viacom Mafia"—a group that includes Viacom's former CEOs, Philippe Dauman and Frank Biondi, and current CEO, Thomas E. Dooley—became involved in the founding of the channel. This group invested and rounded up additional investors, Bain Capital Ventures, J.P. Morgan Partners, Battery Ventures, Columbia Capital, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, who as a group invested about $100 million. These founders felt with other single sports channel like the Golf Channel succeeding with a mostly male demographic and tennis having viewer of both sexes and of a desirable high-end demographic that a tennis channel would draw in advertisers.{{cite news|last1=Lattman|first1=Peter|title=P.E. in 5th Set With Tennis Channel|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/private-equity-in-5th-set-with-tennis-channel/|access-date=January 29, 2016|work=New York Times|date=September 9, 2010}} The channel officially launched on May 15, 2003, after its first live event, a Fed Cup tie in Lowell, Massachusetts, was broadcast in April as part of a "sneak preview". Barry MacKay was one of the original commentators.

In 2005, Tennis Channel acquired the ATP Tour's Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic in Scottsdale (which it had held the television rights to) from IMG, and moved it to Las Vegas as the Tennis Channel Open in 2006.{{cite magazine|title=Industry News: Tennis Channel Buys Scottsdale ATP Tour Stop|url=http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2005/04/industry_news_20.html|access-date=January 28, 2016|magazine=Tennis Industry |publisher=USRSA |issue=April 2005|date=April 2005}} Tennis Channel announced plans to hold women's and junior events alongside it.{{cite magazine |date=February 2006 |title=Industry News: Top Stars to Play 2006 Tennis Channel Open in Vegas & Short Sets |url=http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2006/02/industry_news_13.html |magazine=Tennis Industry |publisher=USRSA |access-date=January 28, 2016 }}

In 2005, after struggling viewership (having only reached a subscriber base of 5 million by 2006), attributed to a lack of coverage of high-profile tournaments (such as the Grand Slam), the channel's David Meister was replaced by Ken Solomon. On February 1, 2006, Tennis Channel became a charter member of the new Association of Independent Programming Networks. Tennis Channel's senior vice president of distribution Randy Brown was a co-founder of the group, alongside The American Channel's Doron Gorshein.{{cite news|title=Independent Nets Form Group|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/marketing/independent-nets-form-group/293921|access-date=March 7, 2016|work=Multichannel News|publisher=NewBay Media, LLC|date=February 1, 2006}}{{cite news|title=Brown Takes Walk With Outdoor Channel|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/cable-operators/brown-takes-walk-outdoor-channel/331052|access-date=March 7, 2016|work=Multichannel News|publisher=NewBay Media, LLC|date=September 11, 2007}}

Outbidding ESPN by double, Tennis Channel acquired cable rights to the French Open in 2006. The network sub-licensed approximately half of the package to ESPN, at a lower cost than ESPN would have paid for the entire tournament.Dell, Donald and John Boswell. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=ApM-e5iAtmEC&pg=PT81 Don't Discount the Little Guy]". Never Make the First Offer: (Except When You Should) Wisdom from a Master Dealmaker. (August 20, 2009). Penguin. In 2008, Tennis Channel sold the Tennis Channel Open event back to the ATP, citing growth of its core businesses tied to its rapid acquisitions of Grand Slam tournament rights;{{cite magazine |date=April 10, 2008 |title=Tennis Channel to Sell Las Vegas Tournament to ATP |url=http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/news/2008/04/tennis_channel_to_sell_las_veg.html |magazine=Tennis Industry |location=Duluth, Georgia |publisher=USRSA |access-date=January 28, 2016 }} beginning 2009, Tennis Channel also split cable rights to the US Open with ESPN.{{cite news |first=Meg |last=James |title=Tennis Channel triumphs over Comcast in FCC discrimination case |work=Los Angeles Times |date=24 July 2012 |access-date=14 August 2012 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-tennis-channel-triumphs-over-comcast-in-discrimination-claim-20120724,0,6152877.story}}

In April 2013, Al Jazeera Media Network was speculated as expressing interest in purchasing the channel to complement beIN Sports, though nothing came of this.{{cite news|last1=Atkinson|first1=Claire|title=Al Jazeera eyeballing Tennis Channel|url=https://nypost.com/2013/04/19/al-jazeera-eyeballing-tennis-channel/|access-date=January 29, 2016|work=New York Post|date=April 19, 2013}} The channel opened an online store selling professional and lifestyle golfing merchandise and gear on August 14, 2013. The store is operated by Delivery Agent under the Shop TV brand.{{cite news|title=Tennis Channel online store is open for business |url=http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/news/2013/08/tennis_channel_online_merchand.html|access-date=March 1, 2017|work=Tennis Industry Magazine |date=August 14, 2013|language=en}}

In 2013, Tennis Channel launched its TV Everywhere service Tennis Channel Everywhere. On May 25, 2014, the network also launched Tennis Channel Plus, a new direct-to-consumer subscription service including coverage of additional events not seen on television, also including digital rights to the French Open outside of the finals. Tennis Channel carriers receive a cut of profits from the service.{{cite news|last1=James|first1=Meg|title=Tennis Channel to sell subscription package directly to consumers|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-tennis-channel-digital-subscription-service-20140523-story.html|access-date=January 29, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 25, 2014}}

In 2015, Tennis Channel acquired rights to the Citi Open, an ATP World Tour 500 and WTA International tournament in Washington, D.C., under a four-year contract. The event was formerly part of the US Open Series, but withdrew due to frustration over ESPN (rightsholder of the series due to its new contract to be exclusive broadcaster of the US Open proper) only promising a limited amount of television coverage.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/08/13/washington-dc-citi-open-separate-us-open-series-tennis-channel-espn-usta|title=Why DC's Citi Open separated from U.S. Open Series|last=Rothenberg|first=Ben|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=2016-06-01}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Daily/Issues/2015/08/05/Events%20and%20Attractions/Citi%20Open.aspx|title=DC's Citi Open Bumped Out Of U.S. Open Series Due To TV Deal With Tennis Channel|website=Sports Business Daily|language=en|access-date=2019-04-03}}

On January 27, 2016, Sinclair Broadcast Group, the largest owner of over-the-air television stations in the United States, announced that it would acquire Tennis Channel for $350 million. In the statement announcing the purchase Sinclair CEO David Smith said that Tennis Channel had high-quality content and advertisers, though it had been valued low and was under-distributed. Sinclair also gets greater than $200 million of net operating losses to offset its future taxes. The deal was closed on March 2, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Barker|first1=Jeff|title=Sinclair Broadcast closes on Tennis Channel deal|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-sinclair-tennis-channel-20160302-story.html|access-date=March 7, 2016|work=Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Publishing|date=March 2, 2016}} Days later, Tennis Channel announced an extension to its contract for the French Open. In addition, citing its preference to hold rights to the entire tournament, ESPN dropped its sub-licensing agreement with Tennis Channel for the French Open, giving it exclusive cable rights to the tournament (NBC continues to be the broadcast television rightsholder).{{cite news|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/tennis-channel-aces-french-open-pay-tv-rights/403283|title=Tennis Channel Extends French Open Pay TV Rights|last=Umstead|first=R. Thomas|date=14 March 2016|work=Multichannel News|access-date=16 March 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/08/03/Media/ESPN-French-Open.aspx|title=ESPN bids French Open adieu after 13 years|last1=Ourand |first1=John |last2=Kaplan |first2=Daniel|date=3 August 2015|work=Sports Business Journal|access-date=16 March 2016}}

In March 2017, Sinclair additionally acquired Tennis magazine and Tennis.com, seeking to integrate Tennis Channel with them to boost its cross-platform presence.{{cite web|title=Sinclair Broadcast acquires Tennis.com, magazine for $8 million|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2017/03/01/sinclair-broadcast-acquires-tennis-com-magazinefor.html|website=Baltimore Business Journal|access-date=2 March 2017}}

In October 2018, it was announced that Tennis Channel had acquired rights to the 46 overseas events of the WTA Tour under a five-year deal beginning in 2019, replacing beIN Sports. beIN had acquired the WTA Tour rights as part of a larger deal covering 30 countries, but the deal faced criticism from U.S. viewers due to the network's narrow carriage (only serving half as many households as Tennis Channel, with several top providers having also dropped the channel that August),{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/att-drops-bein-sports-from-channel-lineup|title=AT&T Drops beIN Sports From Channel Lineup|last=Lafayette|first=Jon|website=Broadcasting & Cable|date=29 August 2018|language=en-us|access-date=2019-04-03}} as well as frequent scheduling conflicts favoring soccer coverage.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/wta_signs_tv_deal_with_bein|title=WTA signs TV deal with BeIN|website=SportsPro Media|date=17 May 2016|access-date=2019-04-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Daily/Issues/2018/10/02/Media/WTA.aspx|title=Tennis Channel Acquires Rights To 46 Overseas WTA Tournaments|date=October 2, 2018|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-03}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/01/sports/tennis/wta-tv-rights.html|title=New Deal Brings More Women's Tennis to Tennis Channel|last=Rothenberg|first=Ben|date=2018-10-01|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-04-03|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

In 2019, Tennis Channel reached a five-year extension of its rights to the Citi Open. The tournament also re-joined the US Open Series under new ownership.{{Cite web|url=http://www.usopenseries.com/news/citi_open_returns_to_us_open_series_for_2019/|title=Citi Open returns to US Open Series for 2019|website=US Open Series|language=en|access-date=2019-08-02}}

In October 2020, Tennis Channel renewed its rights to the ATP Tour, and also added rights to Masters 1000 events held in North America beginning in 2021 (previously aired by ESPN under a separate contract). This made Tennis Channel the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of all Masters 1000 events.{{Cite news|last=Futterman|first=Matthew|date=2020-10-13|title=After the Grand Slams, Tennis Plots Its Growth Plan|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/sports/tennis/tennis-channel-atp.html|access-date=2020-10-13|issn=0362-4331}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.tennis.com/news/reporters/|title = News Center}}

{{div col}}

• Prakash Amritraj
• Paul Annacone
• Jimmy Arias
• Tracy Austin
• James Blake
• Jim Courier
• Lindsay Davenport
• Jan-Michael Gambill
• Brett Haber
• Mark Knowles
• Nick Monroe
• Kamau Murray
• Martina Navratilova
• Nicolas Pereira
• Andrea Petkovic
• Ted Robinson
• Andy Roddick
• Chanda Rubin
• Leif Shiras
• Coco Vandeweghe
• Steve Weissman
• Jon Wertheim
• Ari Wolfe

{{div col end}}

• Tennis Channel Plus (2014–2024), a subscription streaming service featuring overflow content that was not aired on television.{{cite news |last1=Myles |first1=Stephanie |title=WTA TV blackout coming in U.S. |url=https://tennis.life/2018/11/30/blackout-wtatv-us-tennis-channel/ |access-date=January 18, 2019 |work=Tennis.life |publisher=Tennis Life Media |date=November 30, 2018}}{{cite news |date=January 29, 2018 |title=10 Things To Know About Tennis Channel's New App |url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/01/10-things-know-about-new-tennis-channel-app/71772/ |access-date=January 18, 2019 |work=Tennis.com}} In November 2024, Tennis Channel Plus was replaced by a direct-to-consumer version of Tennis Channel, adding access to programming from the cable network. Tennis Channel Plus content also became available at no additional charge via TV Everywhere authentication for existing television subscribers.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=Tennis Channel launches DTC streaming platform |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/11/12/tennis-channel-launching-direct-to-consumer-platform/ |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}
• The T (2018), a free streaming channel with best-of programming, offered through the Tennis Channel app/website.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Mae |title=Sinclair debuts Stirr streaming service for its local TV stations |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/media/2019/01/16/sinclair-broadcast-launches-stirr-nationwide-streaming-service/2594497002/ |access-date=January 17, 2019 |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=January 16, 2019 |language=en}}
• T2 (2022), a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel primarily for overflow live tennis matches not airing on Tennis Channel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/t2-a-new-television-network-from-tennis-channel-is-a-new-twist-on-the-tennis-vie|title=T2, a new television network from Tennis Channel, is a new twist on the tennis viewing experience}} The channel is found on FAST channel aggregators such as Amazon Freevee and The Roku Channel, as well as over-the-top streaming services Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV which carry the main channel.{{cite web |title=How to stream T2, Tennis Channel's second network |url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/how-to-stream-t2-tennis-channel-s-second-network |website=Tennis.com |language=en}} 22 ATSC 3.0 broadcast television stations controlled by Sinclair also include T2 as a virtual channel; though it appears to receivers as a typical digital subchannel, it is streamed using the television's Internet connection instead of through the broadcast signal.{{cite news |title=Sinclair Putting Tennis Channel's T2 On NextGen Broadcast Channels |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/03/21/sinclair-putting-tennis-channels-t2-on-nextgen-broadcast-channels/ |work=Sports Video Group |date=21 March 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=ATSC 3.0 Station List |url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=atsc3 |website=RabbitEars.info}}
• Pickleballtv (PBTV), an ad-supported pickleball streaming channel launched in November 2023 that is co-owned with the United Pickleball Association, the parent company of the Professional Pickleball Association Tour (PPA Tour) and Major League Pickleball (MLP).{{cite web |title=Tennis Channel, United Pickleball Association launch PickleballTV App |url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/tennis-channel-united-pickleball-association-launch-pickleballtv-app |website=Tennis.com |publisher=Tennis Channel |access-date=8 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208161420/https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/tennis-channel-united-pickleball-association-launch-pickleballtv-app |archive-date=February 8, 2025 |date=February 6, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://cordcuttersnews.com/the-tennis-channel-launches-a-24-7-free-pickleball-streaming-network-on-plex-tv-fubo-and-freevee/|title=The Tennis Channel Launches a 24/7 Free Pickleball Streaming Network on Plex TV, Fubo, and Freevee|date=4 January 2024 }} The network is available through Tennis Channel's app/website and pickleballtv.com's dedicated website, as well as several other streaming platforms such as Plex TV, FuboTV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku.

The network broadcasts live tournaments, news, one-on-one interviews, game analysis and skills instruction. Tennis Channel provides extensive coverage of the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and Hopman Cup as well as other tournaments throughout the year. Until 2025, Tennis Channel was the exclusive cable rightsholder of the French Open; while it previously sub-licensed portions of this coverage to ESPN, this arrangement ended in 2015.{{cite web|title=Tennis Channel Extends French Open Pay TV Rights|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/tennis-channel-aces-french-open-pay-tv-rights/403283|website=Multichannel News|access-date=29 March 2016}} Rights to the tournament will move to TNT Sports under an agreement reached in June 2024.{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=2024-06-07 |title=Warner Bros. Discovery Snares U.S. Rights to French Open (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/warner-bros-discovery-french-open-us-rights-1236028911/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Marchand |first=Andrew |title=French Open, TNT Sports agree to 10-year, $650 million deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5549492/2024/06/07/french-open-tnt-sports-broadcast-rights/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

• ATP … Tennis (in 2004). Weekly series on the ATP tours.
• Bag Check (in 2004). A look at what is in pro players' racquet bag.
• Center Court with Chris Myers (in 2004). Interview show with top pros and coaches.
• Girls on Tour (in 2004). Behind-the-scenes with the WTA Tour.
• Inside Tennis with the Koz (in 2004). David Kozlowski hosted tip and interview show.
• Match Point America (in 2004). Weekly professional circuits highlight magazine show.
• No Strings (in 2004). Personal lives of the pros.
• One-Minute Clinic (in 2004). Top coaches run live-action tennis technique drills.
• Open Access 04 (in 2004). Follows the tours giving "a first-hand account of the top players outside the lines."
• Pro File (in 2004). Profiling top and upcoming players on both tours.
• Tennis Insiders (in 2004). On-location panel discussion.
• On Court with USPTA (in 2004). Instructional show.
• Dennis Van der Meer (in 2004) Host is PTR founder and president. PTR is a tennis teacher and coach educating and certifying company.
• The Changeover (in 2018) Sports, travel and pop culture collide as Freedom Wynn and his famous friends travel around the country exploring tennis and much more.
• Good Trouble With Nick Kyrgios (in 2024) Nick Kyrgios' video podcast series where he explores celebrities' personal journeys
• Served with Andy Roddick (in 2024) "A weekly adjacent podcast with the former World No. 1 for all things tennis and more!"

The Tennis Channel launched an HD simulcast on December 31, 2007.{{Cite web|title=Tennis Channel Serves Up HD|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/tennis-channel-serves-hd-45391|last=Dickson|first=Glen|date=December 30, 2007|website=Broadcasting & Cable|language=en-us|access-date=2020-05-18}}

On September 4, 2011 during the US Open, Tennis Channel pulled its signal from Verizon FiOS, Cablevision, Suddenlink Communications, Mediacom, WOW!, Knology and General Communication Inc. systems after the providers declined to accept a new agreement that the Tennis Channel made with the National Cable Television Cooperative (a group which the seven providers are members). Along with a fee increase, the agreement also required that the Tennis Channel be moved from their optional sports package to their digital basic tiers.{{cite news|last1=Reynolds|first1=Mike|title=Tennis Channel No Longer On Verizon FiOS, Cablevision's Lineups|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/473245-Tennis_Channel_No_Longer_On_Verizon_FiOS_Cablevision_s_Lineups.php|access-date=March 7, 2016|work=Multichannel News|publisher=NewBay Media, LLC|date=September 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111114726/http://www.multichannel.com/article/473245-Tennis_Channel_No_Longer_On_Verizon_FiOS_Cablevision_s_Lineups.php|archive-date=January 11, 2012}} Tennis Channel returned to Verizon FiOS on January 17, 2012.

In July 2012, the Federal Communications Commission ruled in favor of Tennis Channel following a three-year dispute between the network and Comcast over placement on extra-fee sports tier. As a result of the ruling, Comcast was prompted to remove Tennis Channel from its sports package tier, available to customers via an extra charge, and carry the network on the same basic cable tier as Comcast-owned Golf Channel and NBCSN. The FCC found Comcast's previous handling of the network to be discriminatory. This marked the first time that a cable distributor was found to have violated federal anti-discrimination rules. Comcast successfully disputed the ruling in 2013,{{cite news|title=Sinclair Scores Tennis Channel With $350M Acquisition Deal|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/sinclair-buys-tennis-channel-1201691628/|access-date=27 January 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood}} continuing to carry Tennis Channel on its sports package. Tennis Channel appealed to the Supreme Court, but was denied a hearing.{{cite news|last1=Stohr|first1=Greg|title=Tennis Channel Rebuffed by High Court on Comcast Access|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-24/tennis-channel-rebuffed-by-high-court-on-comcast-access|access-date=January 29, 2016|work=Bloomberg News|date=February 24, 2014}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official Website|http://www.tennischannel.com}}
• [http://www.tennischanneleverywhere.com Tennis Channel Everywhere OTT service]
• [https://pickleballtv.com/ PickleballTV] home page

{{SBGI}}

{{Sports television in the United States}}

{{Tennis on television}}

Channel

Category:Television networks in the United States

Category:English-language television stations in the United States

Category:Television channels and stations established in 2003

Category:Companies based in Santa Monica, California

Category:Sports television in the United States

Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group

Category:2016 mergers and acquisitions