History of Tennis Channel in Timeline

Tennis Channel is an American sports television network dedicated to tennis and other racquet sports. Launched in 2003 and owned by the Sinclair Television Group, it broadcasts events and tennis-related programming. The channel is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and its programming originates from Culver City, California.

2001: Tennis Channel Founded

In 2001, Steve Bellamy founded the Tennis Channel. He then hired Bruce Rider to head up programming and marketing. A group known as the "Viacom Mafia" became involved in the founding of the channel and rounded up additional investors, who as a group invested about $100 million.

May 15, 2003: Tennis Channel Launch

On May 15, 2003, Tennis Channel officially launched. The channel is devoted to events and other programming related to the game of tennis, along with other racquet sports such as badminton, pickleball, and racquetball.

2005: Ken Solomon replaces David Meister

In 2005, David Meister was replaced by Ken Solomon due to struggling viewership.

2005: Tennis Channel acquired Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic

In 2005, Tennis Channel acquired the ATP Tour's Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic in Scottsdale, which it had held the television rights to.

February 1, 2006: Tennis Channel joins Association of Independent Programming Networks

On February 1, 2006, Tennis Channel became a charter member of the new Association of Independent Programming Networks.

2006: Tennis Channel Acquires Cable Rights to French Open

In 2006, Tennis Channel acquired cable rights to the French Open, outbidding ESPN by double. The network sub-licensed approximately half of the package to ESPN.

2006: Tennis Channel moved Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic to Las Vegas

In 2006, Tennis Channel moved the ATP Tour's Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic to Las Vegas as the Tennis Channel Open. Tennis Channel announced plans to hold women's and junior events alongside it.

December 31, 2007: Tennis Channel Launched HD Simulcast

On December 31, 2007, the Tennis Channel launched an HD simulcast.

2008: Tennis Channel sold the Tennis Channel Open event back to the ATP

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.

2009: Tennis Channel split cable rights to the US Open with ESPN

Beginning in 2009, Tennis Channel split cable rights to the US Open with ESPN.

September 4, 2011: Tennis Channel Pulled Signals From Multiple Providers

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.

January 17, 2012: Tennis Channel returned to Verizon FiOS

On January 17, 2012, Tennis Channel returned to Verizon FiOS.

July 2012: FCC Ruled in Favor of Tennis Channel in Dispute with Comcast

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.

April 2013: Al Jazeera Media Network Interest

In April 2013, Al Jazeera Media Network was speculated as expressing interest in purchasing the channel, though nothing came of this.

August 14, 2013: Tennis Channel opened online store

On August 14, 2013, Tennis Channel opened an online store selling professional and lifestyle golfing merchandise and gear.

2013: Comcast Successfully Disputed FCC Ruling

In 2013, Comcast successfully disputed the FCC ruling, continuing to carry Tennis Channel on its sports package.

2013: Tennis Channel Everywhere launch

In 2013, Tennis Channel launched its TV Everywhere service, Tennis Channel Everywhere.

May 25, 2014: Tennis Channel Plus Launch

On May 25, 2014, Tennis Channel 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.

2015: ESPN sub-licensing agreement for the French Open ended

In 2015, ESPN ended its sub-licensing agreement with Tennis Channel for the French Open.

2015: Tennis Channel acquired rights to the Citi Open

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.

January 27, 2016: Sinclair Broadcast Group to Acquire Tennis Channel

On January 27, 2016, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that it would acquire Tennis Channel for $350 million.

March 2, 2016: Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired Tennis Channel

On March 2, 2016, the deal for Sinclair Broadcast Group to acquire Tennis Channel closed.

March 2017: Sinclair acquired Tennis magazine and Tennis.com

In March 2017, Sinclair additionally acquired Tennis magazine and Tennis.com, seeking to integrate Tennis Channel with them to boost its cross-platform presence.

October 2018: Tennis Channel acquired rights to WTA Tour events

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.

2019: Tennis Channel began broadcasting WTA Tour events

In 2019, Tennis Channel began broadcasting the 46 overseas events of the WTA Tour under a five-year deal.

2019: Tennis Channel reached a five-year extension of its rights to the Citi Open

In 2019, Tennis Channel reached a five-year extension of its rights to the Citi Open.

October 2020: Tennis Channel renewed its rights to the ATP Tour

In October 2020, Tennis Channel renewed its rights to the ATP Tour and added rights to Masters 1000 events held in North America beginning in 2021.

2021: Tennis Channel became the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of all Masters 1000 events

In 2021, Tennis Channel became the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of all Masters 1000 events.

November 2023: Availability of Tennis Channel

As of November 2023, Tennis Channel is available to approximately 38,000,000 pay television households in the United States.

June 2024: Rights to the French Open move to TNT Sports

Rights to the French Open will move to TNT Sports under an agreement reached in June 2024.

November 2024: TC+ was rebranded as Tennis Channel

In November 2024, TC+ was rebranded as Tennis Channel, a DTC offering that included a feed of the cable network.

2025: Tennis Channel exclusive cable rights to the French Open to end

Until 2025, Tennis Channel was the exclusive cable rightsholder of the French Open.

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