US basic-tier broadcaster Tennis Channel will bolster its tennis portfolio when it takes over WTA rights from pay-television broadcaster beIN Sports in 2019.
The new five-year deal, from 2019 to 2023, was negotiated with WTA Media – the media-rights partnership between the Women’s Tennis Association and DAZN Group – and beIN Sports, the current rights-holder in the US.
The New York Times has reported that the WTA and beIN cut short its deal for US rights – which was included in a multi-territory agreement – due to the governing body growing frustrated over the broadcaster’s coverage.
As part of the new deal, Tennis Channel has acquired streaming rights to more than 2000 additional matches.
Tennis Channel currently hold rights in the US to the men’s ATP World Tour, French Open, and Wimbledon.