or


[08/28/24 - 12:16 PM]
ESPN and USTA Extend Relationship with New 12-Year Agreement
In the new agreement, USTA will take over host broadcaster duties from ESPN beginning in 2026 as ESPN focuses its production resources on the more than 260 hours of annual coverage planned for the U.S., as well as hundreds of hours for international territories.

[via press release from ESPN]

ESPN and USTA Extend Relationship with New 12-Year Agreement

· ESPN remains the exclusive rightsholder of the US Open in the U.S. through 2037

· ABC coverage of Middle Sunday and the Final Sunday continues

· Expanded ESPN streaming coverage to debut in 2026

· Extends exclusive rights in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada via TSN and RDS

With the Main Draw of the 2024 US Open underway in New York City, ESPN and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) have extended their relationship with a new, 12-year agreement that will keep the iconic event with ESPN through 2037.

The deal, which starts in 2026 and is ESPN's longest-term tennis agreement, also continues to make ESPN the home of the entire US Open in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Canada on TSN and RDS. ESPN Deportes likewise continues as the exclusive Spanish-language home of the US Open in the United States.

The deal was brokered by IMG, the USTA's media rights representative.

In the new agreement, USTA will take over host broadcaster duties from ESPN beginning in 2026 as ESPN focuses its production resources on the more than 260 hours of annual coverage planned for the U.S., as well as hundreds of hours for international territories.

"We take tremendous pride in our 15-year relationship with the USTA," said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. "This agreement reinforces our long-term dedication to tennis, our capacity to showcase one of the premier events on the annual sports calendar and, as the world's first sporting event to offer equal purses for its female and male competitors, The Walt Disney Company's industry-leading commitment to women's sports."

"After many remarkable years of partnership, we are thrilled to extend our partnership with ESPN and the Walt Disney Company, a collaboration that has driven extraordinary growth for the US Open," said Lew Sherr, USTA CEO and Executive Director. "This year's US Open is well on its way to being the most spectacular Championship in our history and together with ESPN, we are energized by an even brighter future. Our shared commitment to expanding the reach of tennis has contributed to significant increase in participation. Together, we will continue to leverage the US Open as a powerful platform to promote our mission to inspire healthier people and communities."

"This ESPN deal is groundbreaking, not only for the USTA and US Open, but for tennis globally," said Hillary Mandel, EVP and Head of Americas, Media at IMG. "The new agreement will super-charge this iconic, captivating Grand Slam's exposure, production, promotion, content, and economic investment, ensuring record year-on-year growth for the next decade and beyond."

Deal Highlights

· Expanded streaming rights, giving ESPN flexibility to roll out additional ways for fans in the U.S. to consume US Open content

· Expanded Fan Week coverage, including daily live coverage on ESPN2 and distribution of the prime-time exhibition events that debuted this year on ESPN platforms

· Introduction of fast-paced, shot-to-shot whip-around coverage set to debut on ESPN+ the first week of the 2026 US Open main draw

· Annual coverage of the final Sunday and Middle Sunday on ABC

· Availability of all play across all courts daily

· Daily Spanish-language coverage in the U.S. on ESPN Deportes

· Provision to ESPN for limited sublicense rights

Recent US Open Viewership Highlights

The US Open on ESPN has set - and kept - some unforgettable viewership records, including:

· 2023

· The Women's Championship between winner Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka

· is the most-viewed women's final of any tennis major ever on ESPN

· is the most-streamed women's match on ESPN+

· The men's and women's Semifinals on ESPN is the most-viewed since the current deal started in 2015

· 2022: Serena Williams' last appearance remains the most-watched tennis telecast on record in ESPN's 44-year history with 4.8 million viewers. Viewership peaked with 6.9 million viewers.

· 2015: The Men's Championship between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer averaged 3.2 million viewers and stands as the most-viewed for the event ever on ESPN on record

-30-

About ESPN

About ESPN+

About the USTA

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level - from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100 percent of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, along with approximately 100 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., and selects the teams for Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA's philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X) and TikTok.





  [august 2024]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[06/19/25 - 06:01 AM]
Great American Media Announces World Premiere of "Grounded in Love," Starring Danica McKellar and Trevor Donovan, Streaming on Great American Pure Flix, August 7, Premiering on Great American Family, September 27
In the film, Annie (McKellar), a spirited, Manhattan-based flight attendant, thrives on adventure and freedom, until an unexpected airline merger grounds her career and a breakup with a self-absorbed boyfriend leaves her questioning everything.

[06/19/25 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "Catalog" - Official Teaser - Netflix
A recently widowed workaholic clumsily navigates life with his kids, guided by his late wife's online tips. Can he ace this crash course in parenthood?

[06/18/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "Wall to Wall" - Official Teaser - Netflix
A man who poured his life savings into a new apartment discovers its walls are full of disturbing noises, hostile neighbors and unsettling secrets.

[06/18/25 - 04:59 PM]
ID Unveils Premiere Date for "A Killer Among Friends," New True Crime Series Narrated and Executive Produced by Jennifer Love Hewitt
The six-part series will explore a group of interconnected individuals who are collectively haunted by a murder of one of their own, serving as the catalyst to unravel secrets, suspicions, and betrayals between friends.

[06/18/25 - 01:38 PM]
A Special Edition of 20/20: "Karen Read: The Verdict" Airs Tonight, Wednesday, June 18 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC, Next Day on Hulu
Moments after a verdict is reached in her second trial, ABC News chief national correspondent Matt Gutman brings viewers the latest details on the trial as well as interviews with O'Keefe's friends, family members, and those at the center of the case that has captivated the country.

[06/18/25 - 01:05 PM]
Great American Media Enters 2025-2026 Upfront with New Partnerships, Original Content, and Growing Audiences
New and fan favorite series include "Crossroad Springs," "County Rescue," and "When Hope Calls," alongside marquee events like the Rose Parade and "Great American Rescue Bowl."

[06/18/25 - 11:59 AM]
Lifetime Announces New Movies Centered on Women Finding Resilience Through Their Faith Despite Harrowing Circumstances
Chrissy Metz, Alexa PenaVega, Kat Graham and Paula Patton are among the featured talent.

[06/18/25 - 11:31 AM]
Video: "People and Places" - Official Trailer - Disney+
The world is full of wonder - and it's closer than you think.

[06/18/25 - 11:14 AM]
First Look: Hulu's "Zarna Garg: Practical People Win"
The comedy special premieres Friday, July 18 on Hulu.

[06/18/25 - 11:01 AM]
Video: "Trainwreck: Balloon Boy" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A homemade flying saucer lifts off, and a 6-year-old boy might be inside. National panic ensues - but what truly happened? This documentary investigates.

[06/18/25 - 11:00 AM]
AMC Networks' July Highlights Include "Nautilus," "Hell Motel," "The Furry Detectives," "The Madame Blanc Mysteries," "Call of the Night" and More
Other highlights include the premieres of "Kostas" and Summertide" on Acorn TV.

[06/18/25 - 10:01 AM]
"MTV's The Challenge: Vets and New Threats" Premieres Wednesday, July 30 at 8PM ET/PT
This season, fresh faces and new threats have entered the arena with one goal: upend the old order and take it all.

[06/18/25 - 10:00 AM]
Video: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" - Season 17 Official Trailer - FX
In Season 17, the Gang craves money and parasitic social privileges.

[06/18/25 - 10:00 AM]
2025 "NBA Draft Presented by State Farm" Exclusively on ESPN Platforms June 25-26
ABC and ESPN will both offer distinct presentations of the NBA Draft's first round on June 25, starting at 8 p.m. ET.

[06/18/25 - 09:06 AM]
"Disney Jr. Let's Play!" to Be Held at Disney California Adventure Park on Friday, Aug. 8, and Downtown Disney District on Saturday, Aug. 9, and Sunday, Aug. 10
Throughout the weekend, guests will be able to participate in multiple limited-time photo opportunities, including a themed wall in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure along with the regular Disney Jr. programming available at the park.