May 17, 2013

CBS Loses U.S. Open After Four Decades: After broadcasting the event for 46 years, CBS will be losing the rights to the U.S. Open to ESPN in 2015, thanks to an $825 million, 11-year deal for the broadcast and cable rights. Viewership fell to a 25-year low of 2 million in 2012. Rain has postponed the men's final from Sunday to Monday for five straight years.

posted by rcade to tennis at 06:39 PM - 2 comments

ESPN will face the same problems CBS has faced: the first weekend is the Labor Day weekend: many people have plans that do not include staying home. On both weekends, competition with football and baseball. The article refers to the other sports but does not mention the competition for viewers.

Another problem: Sam Querrey (19), John Isner (20) and Mardy Fish (40) are the only American men's singles players among the top 70 ATP players. Serena Williams (1), Sloane Stephens (17), Venus Williams (24) and Varyara Lepchenko (31) are the only USA women's singles players in the top 50 WTA players. Most American viewers want to see American players, but few have been good enough in the rankings to even get into the tournament. Until we get another "golden age" of American tennis, attracting viewers will continue to be a problem.

posted by jjzucal at 03:33 PM on May 18, 2013

Until we get another "golden age" of American tennis, attracting viewers will continue to be a problem.

It's sad to think so many missed out on one of the greatest rivalries the sport has seen because Nadal and Federer weren't American.

posted by Whizbang at 09:54 AM on May 20, 2013

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