Tennis on TNT is a television program produced by the basic cable television network TNT that broadcasts the main professional tennis tournaments in the United States. From 2000-2002, TNT alongside CNN Sports Illustrated (and CNNfn[1] in 2002 due to the former shutting down operations earlier in the year) broadcast same day, weekday coverage (approximately 89 hours of programming with TNT covering about 61 hours[2] in prime time) of Wimbledon,[3] replacing sister network HBO.[4]
TNT was ultimately replaced by ESPN2 while NBC still handled the American broadcast television portion of Wimbledon coverage. ESPN would eventually gain exclusive rights to Wimbledon, starting with the 2012 tournament.
In June 2024, it was reported[5] that the U.S. rights to the French Open had been acquired by TNT Sports beginning in 2025, as part of an overall deal with Warner Bros. Discovery that also includes a renewal of its pan-European rights with Eurosport.[6][7]
Commentators
edit- Marv Albert[8] (men's play-by-play)
- Mary Carillo[9] (analyst/reporter/women's play-by-play)
- Jim Courier[10] (men's analyst)
- Zina Garrison[11] (women's analyst)
- Jim Huber[12] (essayist)
- Ernie Johnson Jr.[13] (studio host)
- Phil Jones[14] (reporter)
- Barry MacKay[15] (women's play-by-play)
- Martina Navratilova[16] (women's analyst)
References
edit- ^ Umstead, R. (June 17, 2002). "TNT's new Wimbledon doubles partner: CNNfn". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012.
- ^ Dempsey, John (January 18, 2000). "TNT, NBC ace bids to Wimbledon rights". Variety.
- ^ TNT Wimbledon promo on YouTube
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (January 19, 2000). "PLUS: BROADCASTING; Wimbledon Deals Total $30 Million". New York Times.
- ^ Lucia, Joe (June 7, 2024). "French Open reportedly heading to TNT Sports on 10-year deal". Awful Announcing. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ Steinberg, Brian (2024-06-07). "Warner Bros. Discovery Snares U.S. Rights to French Open (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ Marchand, Andrew. "French Open, TNT Sports agree to 10-year, $650 million deal". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "With cable move, Wimbledon set to join commercial crowd". Baltimore Sun. June 23, 2000.
- ^ Mushnick, Phil (July 2, 2001). "TNT OVER-SERVES MARTINA". New York Post. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Kramer, Staci D. (May 14, 2000). "TNT, CNN/SI Sign Courier for Wimbledon". Multichannel.
- ^ Dure, Jane. "Zina Garrison". Texas Monthly. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Gerby, Christopher (September 26, 2015). "Albert, Carillo, Courier Usher in New Era of Wimbledon Coverage". tennis-ontheline.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ "Ernie Johnson, Jr. On-Air Talent Year Inducted". Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ "Strawberries, cream and Marv Albert: 'Yesss!'". Post Bulletin. June 23, 2000. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Brockinton, Lagdon (June 26, 2000). "Tournament rookie Turner makes plans to get personal". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ "PLUS: TENNIS -- WIMBLEDON COVERAGE; Navratilova Shifts Roles". The New York Times. May 11, 2000. Retrieved June 9, 2024.