By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –@tvanswerman
TV Answer Man, hey there, the French Open is on but YouTube TV doesn’t have the Tennis Channel on yet?!! What’s the deal with that? I thought they added it. I remember a story about it, right? Where is it? — Daria, Fairfax, Virginia.
Daria, the 2023 French Open tennis tournament, which is also known as the Roland-Garros, began today and will run through Sunday, June 11 with the men’s final. The matches are available in high-def at various times on NBC, the Tennis Channel and Peacock, the NBC-owned streaming service. (You can see the NBC Sports TV viewing schedule for more details.)
The Tennis Channel, which is owned by Sinclair, is offering coverage of the first round matches today from 5 a.m. ET to 4 p.m. ET. But you won’t find them on YouTube TV.
How can that be? Didn’t YouTube TV sign a carriage deal for the Tennis Channel in April? (Yes, we did have a story on that.)
Answer: Yes.
“We are pleased to reach an agreement that brings Tennis Channel, T2 and all three of our Emerging Networks to YouTube TV, a valued partner of ours,” said Will Bell, senior vice president of distribution and network relations for Sinclair. “As the media landscape continues to evolve, our goal remains the same – to bring our unrivaled content to people wherever they want to experience it. With Roland-Garros kicking-off May 28, the timing is perfect for YouTube TV customers.”
Well, Mr. Bell, the timing isn’t quite perfect because the carriage agreement calls for YouTube TV to add the Tennis Channel on June 1, not today or before. That means the live streamer will not have access to the channel’s French Open coverage for the first three days of the tournament.
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Tennis fans will have to wait until Thursday, although Peacock, the subscription Video on Demand service, is offering coverage as well. And NBC and the NBC app will provide coverage of tomorrow’s matches from 11 a.m. ET to 3 p.m. ET.
Daria, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
@tvanswerman
It’s still not on YouTubeTV
I know. It’s still early.
I got up early to watch the French Open and the Tennis Channel is still not on YouTube TV. Very disappointing.
Scheduled today. But no time yet.
Do you happen to know how Tennis Channel will be listed in the “Guide” section of YouTubeTV? I hate the way they list their channels, i.e. in no particular order!
And still unable to access/find Tennis Channel on YouTubeTV, ugh!!
Nothing on that yet.
Please let Leticia know that the channel lineup and be rearranged in settings 🙂
And still no Tennis Channel 🙁
Tennis Channel is only available through Sports Add-on. What a joke and a lie!! T2 is now available. And paying 10.99/mo for the Tennis Channel is not worth it!
I feel misled. And will not be paying an additional fee.
Tennis Channel is not listed on the Sports Plus add on.
I’m furious! It’s the only reason I changed. If Tennis Channel and T2 is not free by tomorrow I’m cancelling.
5 years ago, YT TV was $35 and included Tennis Channel. Now $73 a month without TC. Not happy