Tennis Channel
| Tennis Channel | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | May 2003 |
| Owned by | Independent |
| Picture format | 480i (SD) 1080i (HD) |
| Slogan | Where Champions Live |
| Country | United States |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Santa Monica, California |
| Website | tennischannel.com |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| DirecTV | Channel 217 (SD/HD) |
| Dish Network | Channel 400 (SD/HD) |
| Cable | |
| Available on many cable systems | Check local listings |
| IPTV | |
| Sky Angel | Channel 324 |
| AT&T U-verse | Channel 660 (SD) Channel 1660 (HD) |
Tennis Channel is an American speciality channel with programming devoted to the game of tennis. Founded in 2003, the network is owned by a group of investors including sports marketing firm IMG. Well known tennis professionals Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi are two of the many investors in this channel. The network's CEO is Ken Solomon. It is based in Santa Monica, CA.
Contents |
[edit] Description and programming
The network broadcasts 24 hours a day and features live tournaments, news, one-on-one interviews, game analysis and skills instruction. It also features programming from other racquet sports such as squash, badminton, racquetball, table tennis and paddle tennis. Tennis Channel has extensive coverage of the Davis Cup, Fed Cup and Hopman Cup as well as other tournaments throughout the year. Tennis Channel obtained the U.S. broadcast rights to the French Open, broadcasting them for the first time in 2007. Tennis Channel also puts on an ATP tournament in Las Vegas called the Tennis Channel Open.
As of March 1, 2007, Tennis Channel is available across the United States from most cable providers and on Dish Network. In April, 2007, Tennis Channel reached an agreement to be carried on DirecTV. The agreement included a free preview of the 2007 French Open to all DirecTV subscribers. Full carriage of Tennis Channel by DirecTV was added as channel 217 on August 27, 2007. The network launched a 1080i High Definition version in December 2007 named Tennis Channel HD. The Standard Definition network feed of the channel is broadcast domestically on cable satellite Galaxy 23 and the High Definition feed of the channel is broadcast on cable satellite Galaxy 13 and the channel originates its broadcasts out of Tennis Channel's own HD broadcast center in Culver City, CA.
In September 2009, Tennis Channel launched daily Court Report news segments, anchored by Cari Champion, Arlene Santana and Angela Sun.
[edit] Grand Slam coverage
Tennis Channel scored a significant coup in August 2006, when it was announced that it had procured the U.S. cable television rights for the French Open beginning in 2007. [1] These rights were previously held by ESPN2 and prior to that, USA Network.
In January 2007, The Tennis Channel gained rights for coverage of The Australian Open. The Tennis Channel will now share rights to the Australian Open with ESPN2. Both the Australian Open and French Open contracts with ESPN2 run through 2011. [2]
In July 2007, Tennis Channel secured the broadcast rights for Wimbledon through a multi-year deal with the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club [3]
[edit] Carriage Dispute
On September 4, 2011 during the US Open, the Tennis Channel pulled its signal from Verizon FiOS, Cablevision, Suddenlink Communications, Mediacom, WOW!, Knology and GCI after the providers declined to accept a new agreement that the Tennis Channel made with the National Cable Television Cooperative of which they are members. Along with a fee increase the agreement also required that the Tennis Channel be moved from the optional sports package to digital basic service. [4] Although both Verizon and Cablevision are calling the loss of the channel temporary, at this time it is unclear if and when the Tennis Channel will return. The Tennis Channel did return to Verizon on January 17, 2012 but has not returned to the Cablevision lineup.
On September 6, 2011, various phone customers including some who report that their number is registered with the U.S. Federal "Do Not Call" list started reporting receiving calls from 301-430-7551[5], which when called back answers: "Thank you for calling Tennis Channel. If your Tennis Channel service has been dropped by your television provider, call them immediately and urge them to put Tennis Channel back on. You may also consider switching providers. The following providers also carry Tennis Channel: (list of providers) Thank you very much for your support of Tennis Channel."[6]
[edit] Original series
- Best of 5
- Celebrity Tennis
- Destination Tennis
- Fit to Hit
- Major Flavor
- Murphy's Guide
- No Strings
- Only at the Open
- Open Access
- Signature Series
- Tennis Channel Academy
[edit] See also
- The Ski Channel (A new network from the founder of Tennis Channel, Steve Bellamy)
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ THE TENNIS CHANNEL ACQUIRES FIRST GRAND SLAM TELECAST RIGHTS THROUGH FRENCH TENNIS FEDERATION AGREEMENT Press Release August 24, 2006
- ^ ESPN & THE TENNIS CHANNEL ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR, MULTIMEDIA ALLIANCE FOR GRAND SLAMS Press Release January 30, 2007
- ^ TENNIS CHANNEL ADDS US OPEN TO GRAND SLAM LINEUP Press Release May 12, 2008
- ^ Tennis Channel No Longer On Verizon FiOS, Cablevision's Lineups Multichannel News September 4, 2011
- ^ Mr. Number listing for 1-310-430-7551 Comments dated September 6, 2011
- ^ Text of message is verifiable by listening to the automated message at 1-310-430-7551
