Sinclair in talks over Tennis Channel deal – report

US television broadcasting company Sinclair Networks Group has reportedly held talks with Tennis Channel over a potential takeover of the pay-television broadcaster, according to the Wall Street Journal newspaper.

The discussions, which are said to have taken place over the past few months, have included input from a number of private equity firms that are the majority owners of Tennis Channel.

US satellite-television providers DirecTV and Dish Network also own small stakes in the broadcaster.

Neither party has commented publicly about the report.

Sinclair, which operates channels on a number of major US networks such as Fox, ABC and NBC, last year signalled its intent to invest in sports television with the formation of the American Sports Network.

The new subsidiary syndicates US high school college sports content across its own stations and other channels.