Tennis Channel and WTA extend media deal through 2032, focusing on women's tennis coverage
From CNBC: 2025-06-25 09:09:00
Coco Gauff wins the 2025 French Open Women’s singles title, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final at Roland Garros in Paris. The Tennis Channel extends its deal with the Women’s Tennis Association to broadcast over 2,000 matches per season through 2032, with increased payments for U.S. media rights. Tennis Channel CEO Jeff Blackburn emphasizes commitment to comprehensive coverage of pro tennis year-round.
Tennis Channel, under new CEO Jeff Blackburn, secures exclusive rights renewal with the WTA through 2032. The network faces challenges amid industry transitions, focusing on streaming growth and building the direct-to-consumer app. The partnership aims to increase exposure for both women’s and men’s tennis, with a significant rise in rights fees to enhance coverage.
The agreement with the WTA reinforces Tennis Channel’s commitment to showcasing women’s sports and players. American female tennis players, including Madison Keys and Coco Gauff, have had major victories in 2025. The network’s extension with the WTA aligns with efforts to support women’s sports and athlete profiles, amid a rise in popularity and investment funding.
WTA Ventures’ commercial revenue growth strategy aligns with its media rights extension with the Tennis Channel. The partnership aims to triple revenue by 2029, leveraging the network’s platform to reach a wider audience. The deal marks a significant milestone in promoting women’s sports and providing equal exposure for female athletes in the tennis world.
The WTA’s global audience surpasses 1 billion viewers, with a strong presence in growth markets like the U.S., China, and Poland. The media rights extension with the Tennis Channel reflects a long-term commitment to showcasing women’s tennis and growing the sport globally. Efforts to improve player benefits, such as paid maternity leave and fertility treatment policies, highlight a focus on player welfare and equality in the sport.
Read more at CNBC: Tennis Channel, Women’s Tennis Association extend media deal