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NBC loses French Open to TNT Sports

NYAZSporty

By NYAZSporty
in Sport Center

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nathannah Station Group CEO

nathannah 2496

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, NYCsporty said:

As WBD continues to contemplate sticking with the NBA under a 4th nat'l TV package, they gain rights for the French Open from NBC & likely Tennis Channel. https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/warner-bros-discovery-french-open-us-rights-1236028911/

And not a mention of Tennis Channel's rights either, but you have to assume those are equally gone.

Edited by mrschimpf
JTT Primary Anchor

JTT 113

Posted
Posted (edited)

Why did NBC not keep the french open, especially with the long relationship that they had.   They could have offered more and put it on peacock and usa, instead of NBC. .

Edited by JTT
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nathannah Station Group CEO

nathannah 2496

Posted
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Affiliates and NBC News; they don't want special programming roadblocking the daytime with pre-emptions, and there are places to air it where only Supernatural rerun fans are inconvenienced. Outside the Olympics and golf, the days of gobs of broadcast daytime being sucked up for sports are over, and it's much cheaper to Zoom someone to drone on about today's 'dangerous' TikTok trend than to devote time, crews, resources and money to a sport where only four names win anything (you can bet with Novak's injury NBC knows tomorrow's swan song was going to go out with a whimper).


Also as long as the FCC keeps up this silly charade of brain-dead travel and nature shows with only senior and banned Internet kids appeal being 'educational and informational' the affiliates and networks still have to work around putting that three hours somewhere. Weekend sports with low appeal get in the way.

Edited by mrschimpf
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JTT Primary Anchor

JTT 113

Posted
Posted (edited)

I thought NBC was looking to fill programming not only on the network,  but also with peacock / USA network.   By losing the french open, it doesn't help. 

 

If money was fhe issue, maybe they should keep the fench open and put most of it on peacock / USA network, with the finals on NBC. With NBC getting the NBA,  putting the majority of the french open on USA network / peacock will reduce the chances of any programming conflicts with NBA or any other events that may occur.

Edited by JTT
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24994J Station Group CEO

24994J 5621

Posted
Posted
On 6/8/2024 at 11:04 AM, JTT said:

Why did NBC not keep the french open, especially with the long relationship that they had.   They could have offered more and put it on peacock and usa, instead of NBC. .

 

Pay more, and put it on less accessible channels? They clearly weren't willing to fight for it. It's not complicated.

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JTT Primary Anchor

JTT 113

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Posted

I know that, but previous articles stated the network was trying to rely less on scripted programming and more on sports and other programming.   I'm assuming NBC didn't want to pay that much for it and wbd seems to be desperate since they're probably going to lose the nba.

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Jase Station Group CEO

Jase 1065

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41 minutes ago, JTT said:

I know that, but previous articles stated the network was trying to rely less on scripted programming and more on sports and other programming.   I'm assuming NBC didn't want to pay that much for it and wbd seems to be desperate since they're probably going to lose the nba.

 

It's simple economics. With NBC locking down the NBA, it's not surprising they decided to pass on the French Open. They don't have an infinite amount of money to spend on sports rights and it's safe to say there's more value in having the NBA than the French Open. Sports rights aren't going to get any cheaper, so tough decisions have to be made.

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Megatron81 News Director

Megatron81 281

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The French Open needs NBC more than NBC needs The French Open, but the major tennis tourneys The French Open, Wimbledon, & US Open need to be on broadcast the Wimbledon finals are tape delayed on ABC for 3PM Sat & Sun after ESPN has aired them live, and now do air some live action to close out the first week of Wimbledon on Sat what NBC use to do when they aired it. They even did that for the US Open on a Sun afternoon last year on ABC I didn't watch it thou I was watching college football plus ESPN went dark for 10 days so missed most of the US Open. Yeah, just TNT trying to keep some sports rights on the channel is all.

 

The French Open was right to get rid of Tennis Channel as right holders was kinda surprised that NBC didn't try to get The French Open for USA or Peacock when they renewed contracts for the rights years ago.     

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HanSolo AM Anchor

HanSolo 188

Posted
Posted
On 6/8/2024 at 12:04 PM, JTT said:

Why did NBC not keep the french open, especially with the long relationship that they had.   They could have offered more and put it on peacock and usa, instead of NBC. .

As Kenny Rogers once pontificated, you gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. If the economics don't make sense for them, then let TNT spend like a drunken sailor. They're not lacking for sports content, and can continue to bulk up at the right price. 

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