In Depth
Tennis Channel, ESPN to Share U.S. Open Cable Rights, Source Says
The United States Tennis Association on Monday is expected to announce a deal to move cable rights for the U.S. Open to ESPN and the Tennis Channel beginning next year, according to a source familiar with the deal.
USA Network has long televised early-round matches, but the network has been dropping its sports programming as it adds original series. USA also recently gave up its rights to the Masters golf tournament.
ESPN already televises the U.S. Open series, which leads up to the Open.
ESPN and Tennis Channel also share coverage of tennis grand slam events the Australian Open and the French Open.
CBS continues to air the U.S. Open on broadcast.
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Comments 6
Phil K
CBS neeeds to drop the weekday preemptions of the soaps by the US Open during Monday and Fri. of Labor Day week.
Same goes for NCAA March madness.
IF CBS has to have weekday afternoon sports, put it on CBS.com or create a new sports-themed Internet platform for CBS.
Phil K
CBS neeeds to drop the weekday preemptions of the soaps by the US Open during Monday and Fri. of Labor Day week.
Same goes for NCAA March madness.
IF CBS has to have weekday afternoon sports, put it on CBS.com or create a new sports-themed Internet platform for CBS.
Eric
you've got to be kidding
Scott
The mainly beligerrent attitude possesed by those who watches soaps amazes me - there are what, four weekdays out of the year where you don't get your regularly scheduled programming because of sports programming that you know is coming? There are fans of television shows out there that, due to the strike and other scheduling issues, haven't gotten new shows in over 1 1/2 to 2 years.
It's four days out of the year. Get over it.
Scott
And oh yeah, this concerns me because ESPN already has to stretch for programming time in September with NASCAR races, pennant race baseball, the beginning of the collegiate and professional football seasons, etc. This isn't easily penciled in program times like it is in mornings in May for Paris, or June for Wimbledon.
Vicki
I can't believe all the sports that get in the way of people being able to enjoy tennis events. People would rather watch someone hunting or fishing, boxing in a cage. And of course football, baseball, whatever. Last year I was able to enjoy some tennis events. I hope things improve before 2009. In this poor economy people can't afford to add extra channels.