Short Version: NBC must either cover the matches LIVE or Tennis Federations should give the rights to someone who will.


Dear Tennis World,
This petition is for NBC, FFT (Roland Garros), AELTC (Wimbledon) and other tennis clubs & federations that organize televised tennis events. In the past year NBC has received the opportunity to broadcast the late round matches for numerous major tennis events including Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The Tennis Community humble requests that if NBC or any other network is granted rights during live matches that they sign an agreement to broadcast the coverage LIVE during the entire timeframe granted with no exceptions. It is unfair to tennis fans everywhere and irresponsible of a network to gain rights, exclusive or other, then play taped matches or cut off coverage for soap operas or regular scheduled programming. This behavior damages the sport’s popularity, angers fans, and equally important…pisses me off.

Why this petition? NBC made the grave mistake of playing a taped match of Soldering/Gonzalez during Roland Garros this year which had already aired live instead of broadcasting the live (and might I say amazing) match of Federer/Del Potro. NBC then decided to blackout the remaining match by playing Days of our Lives. NBC’s sports email completely filled up with hate mail, Roland Garros Radio was overcome with comments, and NBC was slammed all over the web on Yahoo, Fannation, Chicago Tribune, NewsDay and others. Among the comments left on the article ‘As usual, NBC blacks out a thrilling French Open semifinal’ by Yahoo, my personal favorite was from ‘J’:

“NBC sucked so hard on this one! But hey, I'm a huge fan of Days of Our Lives now... That must have been NBC's strategy. God, I can't believe an executive at NBC actually gets paid to make programming decisions like these.”

The only comment we received from NBC (I stress the word comment because it was no apology) was "I think we'll look at ways to make this work next year.". I think? Well I think we (Tennis Fans) should look at how to make NBC recognize that this is unacceptable.

Heading into Wimbledon NBC during the quarter finals is now once again playing taped matches that are completed or already covered live by other networks. I fear what is in store for the semi’s. NBC has not learned or made an effort to correct these mistakes. On behalf of Tennis Fans everywhere we request that all tennis federations & clubs force NBC to agree to cover the matches live or grant the rights to other networks.

Sincerely,
Tennis Fans

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