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 headquartered in Santa Monica, California, with its broadcast center in Culver City, it is currently owned by the Sinclair Television Group, a subsidiary of the Sinclair Broadcast Group. The channel offers coverage of tennis events and related programming.

2001: Tennis Channel Founded

In 2001, Steve Bellamy founded the Tennis Channel. Investors including Philippe Dauman, Frank Biondi, Thomas E. Dooley, Bain Capital Ventures, J.P. Morgan Partners, Battery Ventures, Columbia Capital, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi invested about $100 million in the channel.

May 15, 2003: Tennis Channel Launched

On May 15, 2003, Tennis Channel was officially launched. The channel is devoted to events and other programming related to the game of tennis, and other racquet sports. The channel is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.

2005: Change in Leadership

In 2005, David Meister was replaced by Ken Solomon due to struggling viewership, attributed to a lack of coverage of high-profile tournaments.

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. Randy Brown, Tennis Channel's senior vice president of distribution, was a co-founder of the group.

2006: Tennis Channel Open Moved to Las Vegas

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

2006: Tennis Channel Acquired Cable Rights to the French Open

In 2006, Tennis Channel outbid ESPN and acquired the cable rights to the French Open. The network then sub-licensed approximately half of the package to ESPN.

December 31, 2007: Tennis Channel Launched HD Simulcast

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

2008: Tennis Channel Sold Tennis Channel Open Event Back to 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 US Open With ESPN

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

September 4, 2011: Tennis Channel Pulled Signal From 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 an extra-fee sports tier. The FCC found Comcast's previous handling of the network to be discriminatory.

April 2013: Al Jazeera Media Network Expressed Interest in Purchasing Tennis Channel

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

August 14, 2013: Channel Opened an Online Store

On August 14, 2013, The Tennis Channel opened an online store selling professional and lifestyle golfing merchandise and gear operated by Delivery Agent under the Shop TV brand.

2013: Comcast Successfully Disputed the Ruling

In 2013, Comcast successfully disputed the ruling, continuing to carry Tennis Channel on its sports package. Tennis Channel appealed to the Supreme Court, but was denied a hearing.

2013: Tennis Channel Launched TV Everywhere Service

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

May 25, 2014: Tennis Channel Plus Launched

On May 25, 2014, Tennis Channel launched Tennis Channel Plus, a direct-to-consumer subscription service including coverage of additional events not seen on television and digital rights to the French Open outside of the finals.

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.

2015: End of Sub-licensing Agreement

In 2015, the sub-licensing agreement with ESPN for the French Open coverage ended.

January 27, 2016: Sinclair Broadcast Group Announced Acquisition of Tennis Channel

On January 27, 2016, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that it would acquire Tennis Channel for $350 million. Sinclair CEO David Smith stated that Tennis Channel had high-quality content and advertisers and that Sinclair would get greater than $200 million of net operating losses to offset its future taxes.

March 2, 2016: Sinclair Broadcast Group Closed Acquisition of Tennis Channel

On March 2, 2016, the deal where Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired the Tennis Channel was closed. Days later, Tennis Channel announced an extension to its contract for the French Open.

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 Overseas WTA Tour Events

In October 2018, Tennis Channel acquired rights to the 46 overseas events of the WTA Tour under a five-year deal beginning in 2019, replacing beIN Sports.

2019: Tennis Channel Acquired Rights to Overseas WTA Tour Events

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

2019: Tennis Channel Extended Rights to the Citi Open

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.

October 2020: Tennis Channel Renewed Rights to the ATP Tour

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.

2021: Tennis Channel Acquired rights to Masters 1000 events held in North America

In 2021, Tennis Channel began broadcasting Masters 1000 events held in North America making Tennis Channel the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of all Masters 1000 events.