Tennis Channel launches global subscription OTT service

Sportradar providing the platform for the service which will be led by experienced exec Andy Reif

The Tennis Channel is launching an international subscription streaming service, initially in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, that the network hopes will eventually become a ‘global tennis-media destination.’

The over the top (OTT) platform will offer content on the Tennis Channel International mobile app and www.tennischannel.com, encompassing live and on-demand matches and a selection of original Tennis Channel series, documentaries, features, archive, instruction and highlights.

The first content to be shown live on the service will be the Tennis Point Exhibition Series (1-4 May 2020) in Germany, a four-day men’s tennis competition, the first professional-level tennis to take place in two months.

The network has hired sports and media executive Andy Reif to oversee the product as senior vice president, Tennis Channel International.

Reif will handle the launch and subsequent expansion of the global product, which the network plans to introduce to additional marketplaces within the next 12 months.

“We’re especially excited to launch this groundbreaking service in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where tennis has a storied past, strong levels of participation and fan interest.”

His CV includes stints with National Geographic Partners, Body Glove Asia, Championship Gaming Series, International Creative Management, Paramount Pictures Corp. and the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals).

Discussing the new service, Reif said: “Tennis Channel has changed the tennis-media landscape here in the United States, and I’m honoured to guide the next phase of expansion into an international arena that counts this sport among its top favourites.

“Tennis is a truly global sport and Tennis Channel is the ideal product to connect with tennis fans throughout the world. We’re especially excited to launch this groundbreaking service in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where tennis has a storied past, strong levels of participation and fan interest, and is positioned for growth.”

• Tennis Channel International will feature a new 24-hour streamed programming channel, Tennis Channel Deutschland, the first in Germany devoted exclusively to tennis.
• Programming will include original Tennis Channel series, documentaries, features, instruction, highlights and select matches on-demand.
• Tennis Channel International will also cover live competition from Tennis Bundesliga, Germany’s top team tennis league.
• Archived content will include programming from numerous providers, including founding partners the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and German Tennis Federation (Deutscher Tennis Bund – DTB), and will be available on-demand.
• Tennis Channel and the ITF are developing an ITF channel for the platform as well.

Sportradar is providing the OTT platform for Tennis Channel International.

“We look forward to working with Tennis Channel International to supply our OTT platform for one of the rare live sporting events happening at the moment,” said Rainer Geier, managing director, Sportradar OTT and advertising solutions. “With our unrivalled data and expertise, we are confident that we will deliver a highly engaging experience for all tennis fans.”

Under the company’s management Tennis Channel International will offer what is being described as the “most data-intensive experience among tennis media platforms.”

Users will be able to follow every professional tennis match in the world through Sportradar’s MatchCast, a channel with dynamic graphics and tennis statistics.

Sportradar’s other customers include ITF, FIA World Rally Championship, Deutsche Telekom, the German Football Association and Onefootball.

Tennis Channel, owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, is a 24-hour TV channel dedicated to both the professional sport of tennis and tennis lifestyle.