Tennis Channel Launches on Apple TV

Tennis Channel has selected Apple TV as its first digital streaming TV partner, launching on the platform in time for the Australian Open, the start of the sport’s Grand Slam season.

The move gives Tennis Channel subscribers online access to the linear channel feed as well as daily highlights, interviews and other segments from daily show Australian Open Today.

Also included on the Apple TV platform is the network’s digital subscription service, Tennis Channel Plus; digital subscribers with Apple TV will be able to watch live Australian Open coverage during the first eight days of the two-week competition. Starting at 7 p.m. (ET) each evening, digital viewers will have access to an additional live court stream that will not be available on Tennis Channel.

Tennis Channel Plus gives viewers access to more than 450 other live matches from more than 40 tournaments worldwide, including the French Open. Archived matches and other programming are also available on-demand to digital subscribers. Tennis Channel Plus subscriptions are $69.99 per year via Apple TV, the network said.

"Our partnership with Apple TV marks a continued progression in our drive to remain on the cutting-edge of media technology for viewers and the tennis community," said Patrick Wilson, senior vice president of distribution, Tennis Channel.

Tennis Channel first launched a TV everywhere app in 2013 and last year rolled it out to 75% of its subscriber base, the network said. It subsequently launched Tennis Channel Plus as its digital subscription service in May 2014; it has been integrated into the network’s TV everywhere app.

The Australian Open started yesterday (Jan. 19) in Melbourne.

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