The journey of tennis broadcasting in the United States is a rich tapestry woven with technological firsts and evolving viewer experiences. From the very first televised match in 1939 to the advent of dedicated tennis channels, the way Americans consume professional tennis has undergone significant transformation. This evolution reflects not only advancements in broadcasting technology but also a growing appetite for the sport, leading to more comprehensive
and specialized coverage over the decades.
Pioneering Broadcasts and Color Television
NBC played a pivotal role in the early days of tennis broadcasting, making history on August 9, 1939. At the amateur Eastern Grass Court Championships in Rye, New York, NBC broadcast the first-ever televised tennis match. This groundbreaking event set the stage for future innovations. Sixteen years later, in 1955, NBC again marked a significant milestone by televising the first tennis match in color. This historic broadcast featured a Davis Cup match between the United States and Australia, offering viewers a new visual dimension to the sport.
These early broadcasts, while perhaps limited in scope compared to today's extensive coverage, laid the foundation for tennis to become a staple on American television. The introduction of color television, in particular, would have enhanced the viewing experience, making the courts and players more vibrant and engaging for audiences at home. NBC's consistent involvement since 1955 underscores its long-standing commitment to bringing major tennis tournaments to the public.
The Wimbledon Era and "Breakfast at Wimbledon"
NBC's relationship with Wimbledon, one of tennis's most prestigious tournaments, began in 1969. Initially, their coverage consisted of same-day taped and often edited broadcasts of the Gentlemen's Singles Final. Over time, this evolved, with NBC airing 6.5 hours of taped delayed coverage on July 8, 1978, which included both the ladies' and gentlemen's finals. The ladies' final, played on July 7, was delayed by a full day, while the gentlemen's final was shown on same-day tape delay. Host Jim Simpson and Hilary Hilton provided commentary during the Woman's Final.
A beloved tradition for American tennis fans emerged with NBC's "Breakfast at Wimbledon" specials. These weekend broadcasts, which began live coverage for men's rounds in 1979 and women's in 1982 under the guidance of executive producer Don Ohlmeyer and associate producer Bob Basche, started early in the morning due to the five-hour time difference between the Eastern Time Zone in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Coverage continued well into the afternoon, interspersed with commentary and interviews from figures like Bud Collins, known for his tennis acumen and distinctive patterned trousers. Dick Enberg served as NBC's primary host for many years, calling his 28th and final Wimbledon for the network in 1999, and his final one overall in 2011. He often concluded the two-week event's coverage with thematic observations accompanied by a montage of video clips.
Shifting Landscapes and Dedicated Channels
Despite its long history with Wimbledon, NBC's coverage eventually faced challenges. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) grew frustrated with NBC's policy of delaying quarterfinal and semifinal coverage until after the conclusion of the *Today* show at 10 a.m. local time. Additionally, NBC broadcast live only to the Eastern Time Zone, using tape-delay for all other zones. The network also held over high-profile matches for delayed broadcast within its window, sometimes regardless of ongoing live matches. A notable incident in 2009 saw ESPN2's live coverage of a Tommy Haas-Novak Djokovic quarterfinal cut off nationwide when it ran past 10 a.m. Eastern, with NBC showing the conclusion on tape only after presenting a previous Ivo Karlović-Roger Federer quarterfinal in full.
The 2011 tournament marked NBC's 43rd and final year of Wimbledon coverage, as the network announced it had been outbid for future rights. Beginning in 2012, all live Wimbledon coverage moved exclusively to ESPN, making it the second Grand Slam event (after the Australian Open) to air live in the U.S. solely on pay television. While replays of the tournament finals have aired on broadcast network ABC, live Wimbledon matches have since returned to broadcast television, with ABC televising middle weekend matches since 2022. This shift highlights the increasing specialization of sports broadcasting, further exemplified by the launch of the Tennis Channel in 2003, a network entirely devoted to tennis and related racquet sports, serving approximately 38 million U.S. households as of 2023.
