NBC | Tennis Panorama

NBC Extends French Open Agreement until 2024

New Multi-Year, Multi-Platform Agreement Includes Increased Digital Rights and 10 Additional Hours of Television Coverage Beginning in 2013

Coverage Now Includes Memorial Day play and Womenâ€™s Semifinals

NBC will continue to Air Opening Sunday, Middle Weekend and Live Championship Weekend Coverage

LONDON/NEW YORK â€“ August 5, 2012 â€“ The NBC Sports Group and the French Tennis Federation, today announced a multi-year, multi-platform extension that includes 10 more hours of live U.S. television coverage and increased digital rights for the Grand Slam event through 2024. NBC will air the opening Sunday of the tournament, as it did this year for the first time, as well as middle weekend tennis, the menâ€™s and womenâ€™s semifinals and the menâ€™s and womenâ€™s finals.

This extension brings key days of the tournament to the network, including Memorial Day coverage, and the womenâ€™s semifinals rounding out the networkâ€™s championship weekend. At the conclusion of this agreement, NBC will have served as the broadcast home of the French Open for 42 consecutive years.

â€œThe French Open is one of the worldâ€™s most celebrated sports events,â€ said Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. â€œThis ground-breaking agreement will extend our relationship with Roland Garros through 2024, and provides tennis fans with more comprehensive coverage than ever before, including live streaming of more matches.â€

â€œAfter 30 years of outstanding work in televising the French Open, the French Tennis Federation is thrilled to renew their American network agreement with NBC for a long term period,â€ said Michel Grach, director of media and sponsorship, French Tennis Federation. â€œThis new agreement will increase NBC’s hours of coverage of the tournament, which will continue to build Roland Garros’ American audience. NBC and FFT reinforce their partnership at a very strategic period in FFT’s history with the start of the new stadium program.â€

The French Open will be available for tennis fans on NBCSports.com, where fans can watch live streaming of all of NBCâ€™s coverage. NBCSports.com will also provide daily video highlights and online-only analysis by NBCâ€™s tennis commentators.

NBC Sports French Open Schedule Update for Men’s Final

From NBC Sports: The conclusion of the Menâ€™s French Open final, which was suspended today by rain in the fourth set, will conclude live tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. ET on NBC Sports Network and streamed live to all desktops and iOS devices (iPhones and iPads) at NBCSports.com. Following the conclusion of the match, the entire Nadal-Djokovic will re-air on NBC Sports Network.

Go here to find NBC Sports Network in your area: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30092015/

When play was suspended today, Nadal was leading Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 1-2 (in the fourth set). With a victory, Nadal will secure his seventh French Open title, surpassing Bjorn Borg for the most menâ€™s French Open championships in the Open era. For Djokovic, a win here and he will have won four consecutive Grand Slam titles dating back to last yearâ€™s Wimbledon.

Filed Under: Front Page News, tennis news, tournament coverage, tournaments Tagged With: French Open, NBC, NBC Sports, Roland Garros, TV schedule

NBC Sports French Open Schedule Update

NBCâ€™s coverage of the 2012 French Open continues on Friday with the menâ€™s semifinal match between No. 1 ranked Novak Djokovic and 16-time Grand Slam singles champion Roger Federer tomorrow at 11 a.m. (all time zones) and streamed live on NBCSports.com across the country. This weekend, NBC will air live coverage of the womenâ€™s final on Saturday at 9 a.m. ET featuring the new No.1 seed Maria Sharapova, against 21^st seed Sara Errani of Italy. Sharapova will have her chance to complete a career Grand Slam should she win the final. The menâ€™s final which will pit the winner of the Federer-Djokovic match against the winner of the Rafael Nadal-David Ferrer match will air live on NBC on Sunday at 9 a.m. ET.

In the first semifinal tomorrow, defending champion Rafael Nadal will face fellow Spaniard and Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer on Tennis Channel. In the event that this match runs until 11 a.m. ET, NBC will air the end of the first match and will then air the Federer-Djokovic match. Nadal will go for a record seventh title at Roland Garros, having won in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011. With a win this year, he will surpass Bjorn Borg for the most menâ€™s French Open championships in the Open era. With a win at this yearâ€™s French Open, Djokovic will have won four consecutive Grand Slam titles dating back to last yearâ€™s Wimbledon.

FRENCH OPEN ON NBCSPORTS.COM: Tennis fans can go to NBCSports.com to watch a live simulcast of Menâ€™s and Womenâ€™s Finals, and live streaming coverage, across the country, of the Federer-Djokovic match tomorrow. NBCSports.com will also provide daily video highlights online-only analysis for NBCâ€™s tennis commentators. If the Nadal-Ferrer match runs past 11 a.m. ET, NBCSports.com will stream the conclusion of that match and continue coverage with the Djokovic-Federer match.

Filed Under: Front Page News, tennis news, tournament coverage, tournaments Tagged With: French Open, NBC, NBC Sports, Roland Garros, TV schedule

2012 French Open US TV Schedule

All times Eastern.

Sunday, May 27
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – First round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – First round, Tennis Channel
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – First round, NBC
Monday, May 28
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – First round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – First round, Tennis Channel
Tuesday, May 29
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – First round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – First round, Tennis Channel
Wednesday, May 30
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Second round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – Second round, Tennis Channel
Thursday, May 31
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Second round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Second round, Tennis Channel
Friday, June 1
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Third round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Third round, Tennis Channel
Saturday, June 2
5:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Third round, Tennis Channel
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Third round, NBC
Sunday, June 3
5:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Round of 16, Tennis Channel
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Round of 16, NBC
Monday, June 4
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Round of 16, ESPN2
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Round of 16, Tennis Channel
Tuesday, June 5
8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Quarterfinals, Tennis
1:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Quarterfinals (live and same-day tape), ESPN2
Wednesday, June 6
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Quarterfinals, ESPN2
Thursday, June 7
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Womenâ€™s semifinals, ESPN2
Friday, June 8
7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Menâ€™s semifinal, Tennis Channel
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Menâ€™s semifinal, NBC
Saturday, June 9
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Womenâ€™s final, NBC
Sunday, June 10
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Menâ€™s final, NBC

2012 French Open on ESPN2 & ESPN2 HD

Date	Time (ET)	Event	Â
Sun, May 27 â€“Â Fri, June 1	5 â€“ 10 a.m.	Early Round Action	Live
Â		Â
Mon, June 4	5 â€“ 10 a.m.	Round of 16	Live
Tue, June 5	1 â€“ 7 p.m.	Quarterfinals	Live & Same-day action
Wed, June 6	8 a.m. â€“ 1 p.m.	Quarterfinals	Live
Thur, June 7	8 a.m. â€“ 1 p.m.	Womenâ€™s Semifinals	Live

2012 French Open on ESPN3

Date	Time (ET)	Event	Â
Sun, May 27 â€“Â Fri, June 1	5 a.m. â€“ 3 p.m.	Early Round Action	Live
Â		Â
Mon, June 4	8 a.m. â€“ 7 p.m.	Round of 16	Live
Tue, June 5	8 a.m. â€“ 7 p.m.	Quarterfinals	Live
Wed, June 6	5 a.m. â€“ 1 p.m.	Quarterfinals	Live
Thur, June 7	5 a.m. â€“ 1 p.m.	Menâ€™s Doubles SemisWomenâ€™s Semifinals	Live

Tennis Channelâ€™s Live 2012 French Open Match Schedule

DateÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Time (ET)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â EventÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

Sunday, May 27Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â First-Round Action

Monday, May 28Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â First-Round Action

Tuesday, May 29Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â First-Round Action

Wednesday, May 30Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Second-Round Action

Thursday, May 31Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Second-Round Action

Friday, June 1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Third-Round Action

Saturday, June 2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5 a.m.-NoonÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Third-Round Action

Sunday, June 3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5 a.m.-1 p.m.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Round-of-16 Action

Monday, June 4Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Round-of-16 Action

Tuesday, June 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8 a.m.-1 p.m.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Quarterfinals

Friday, June 8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7 a.m.-11 a.m.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Menâ€™s Semifinal

Tennis Channel will also offer same-day replays of singles quarterfinal and semifinal matches, and encore coverage of the menâ€™s and womenâ€™s championships after the close of play on the final Sunday (ET):

Wednesday, June 6 â€“ 1 p.m.-7 p.m.: menâ€™s and womenâ€™s singles quarterfinals

Thursday, June 7 â€“ 1 p.m.-7 p.m.: womenâ€™s singles semifinals

Friday, June 8 â€“ 5 p.m.-midnight: menâ€™s semifinals

Sunday, June 10 â€“ 2 p.m.-6 p.m. and 8 p.m.-midnight: menâ€™s final; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.: womenâ€™s final.

Broadband Coverage

This year during the French Open more than 300 hours of live matches will be available for free on Tennis Channelâ€™s Web site, www.tennischannel.com, an increase of more than 100 hours over 2011. Also new, online streaming will run from 5 a.m. ET through the end of the dayâ€™s play, marking the first time broadband matches will be available live regardless of whether or not Tennis Channelâ€™s television-coverage window is taking place. Viewers can access up to five courts at the same time during live windows the first week of the tournament and then view on-demand archived matches after play has stopped each evening.

NBC

FRENCH OPEN ON NBC
Sunday, May 27	Noon â€“ 3 p.m. ET	First Round (Live)
Saturday, June 2	Noon â€“ 3 p.m. ET	Third Round (Live)
Sunday, June 3	1 p.m. â€“ 4 p.m. ET	Fourth Round (Live)
Friday, June 8	11 a.m. â€“ 2 p.m. (all time zones)	Menâ€™s Semifinals (Live ET)
Saturday, June 9	9 a.m. â€“ Noon ET	Womenâ€™s Final (live)
Sunday, June 10	9 a.m. â€“ 2 p.m. ET	Menâ€™s Final (Live)

FRENCH OPEN ON NBCSPORTS.COM: Tennis fans can go online to watch a live simulcast of each day of NBCâ€™s coverage including the Menâ€™s and Womenâ€™s Finals, and live streaming coverage, across the country, of the Menâ€™s Semifinals on Friday, June 8. NBCSports.com will also provide daily video highlights online-only analysis for NBCâ€™s tennis commentators.

Filed Under: Front Page News, tennis news, tournament coverage, tournaments Tagged With: ESPN, ESPN2, French Open, NBC, Roland Garros, Tennis Channel, TV schedule

NBC French Open Schedule

FRENCH OPEN ON NBC: The following is the schedule for NBCâ€™s coverage of the 2012 French Open, which culminates with live coverage of the Womenâ€™s (June 9) and Menâ€™s (June 10) Finals:

FRENCH OPEN ON NBC
Sunday, May 27	Noon – 3 p.m. ET	First Round (Live)
Saturday, June 2	Noon – 3 p.m. ET	Third Round (Live)
Sunday, June 3	1 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET	Fourth Round (Live)
Friday, June 8	11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (all time zones)	Men’s Semifinals (Live ET)
Saturday, June 9	9 a.m. – Noon ET	Women’s Final (live)
Sunday, June 10	9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET	Men’s Final (Live)

Filed Under: Front Page News, tennis news, tournament coverage, tournaments Tagged With: French Open, NBC, NBC Sports, Roland Garros, TV schedule

Djokovic Makes Appearance on NBC’s Tonight Show

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic appeared as a guest on NBCâ€™s Tonight Show with Jay Leno talk show on Tuesday night. He appeared on the program along with actress Kate Holmes, Â the wife of actor Tom Cruise, and singer Matt Kearney.

This was Djokovicâ€™s second appearance on the program, he first was a guest back in March 2008.