Is French Open Being Televised? Yes, on TNT Sports Starting in 2025
The French Open, the second Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, will have a new home on American television starting in 2025. Warner Bros. Discovery and the French Tennis Federation announced a 10-year agreement that will see the tournament broadcast on TNT Sports.
This significant shift ends NBC’s long-standing relationship with the French Open, which began in 1975 and has been uninterrupted since 1983. Sportscaster Noah Eagle first broke the news during NBC’s final French Open broadcast this past Sunday.
French Open Finds New US TV Home with TNT Sports
The deal, worth an average of $65 million annually, represents a substantial increase from the previous $12 million per year contract with NBC and Tennis Channel. This substantial investment highlights Warner Bros. Discovery’s commitment to showcasing the prestigious clay-court championship.
Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO of TNT Sports, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, emphasizing their vision to broaden the tournament’s appeal beyond dedicated tennis fans to a wider sports audience. He stated their intent to not only engage the existing tennis fanbase but also attract general sports enthusiasts.
Comprehensive Coverage Across Multiple Platforms
TNT will serve as the primary network for the French Open coverage, with TBS and truTV broadcasting additional matches. Importantly, every single match from the tournament will be available for streaming on Max, ensuring comprehensive access for viewers. Bleacher Report, House of Highlights, and HighlightHER will also provide highlights and supplementary content.
This comprehensive coverage mirrors the approach taken by ESPN with the other three Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. ESPN+ streams every match from every court for these tournaments, while ESPN broadcasts select matches across various channels.
French Tennis Federation Embraces Expanded Reach
Gilles Moretton, president of the French Tennis Federation, affirmed the agreement’s potential to maximize the tournament’s visibility in the United States and further elevate its global profile.
This new partnership builds upon Warner Bros. Discovery’s existing relationship with the French Open through Eurosport, which has distributed coverage to 55 countries outside the United States since 1989. The move consolidates the company’s tennis portfolio and strengthens its position in the sports broadcasting landscape.
The Future of Sports on TNT
While the acquisition of the French Open is a significant win for TNT Sports, the network’s future with the NBA remains uncertain. Negotiations are ongoing with the league regarding a new rights agreement, set to commence with the 2025-26 season. In the meantime, TNT is scheduled to air two College Football Playoff games on December 21st and will broadcast four NASCAR races beginning next year.
The French Open’s move to TNT Sports signifies a new era for the tournament’s American viewership. With expanded coverage across multiple platforms and a renewed focus on engaging a wider audience, the future of the French Open on American television looks bright.
