Warner Bros. Discovery Secures Long-Term US Broadcast Deal for French Open Starting 2025

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Highlights

• Warner Bros. Discovery announced a decade-long contract starting in 2025 to broadcast the French Open tennis tournament in the United States.
• The deal is estimated to be valued at approximately $65 million annually, a significant increase from the previous agreement.
• WBD will take over from NBC and Tennis Channel, airing the tournament across TNT, TBS, truTV, and its Max streaming service.
• This move aligns with WBD's efforts to bolster its sports offerings amid ongoing NBA rights negotiations.

In a bold expansion of its live sports programming, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has secured a 10-year U.S. broadcast contract with the French Tennis Federation to televise the prestigious French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, starting in 2025.

The agreement will bring the Grand Slam event to WBD’s TNT Sports division, with coverage on TNT, TBS, truTV, and the Max streaming platform, enhancing accessibility for tennis fans nationwide.

Though exact financial figures were initially undisclosed, reports from The Athletic indicate the deal is valued at roughly $65 million per year, marking a substantial rise from the previous 12-year contract averaging $12 million annually. The news was first revealed by Variety.

Transition from NBC and Tennis Channel to TNT Sports

Previously, the French Open broadcasts were handled by NBC and Peacock, as well as Sinclair’s Tennis Channel. Following the thrilling men’s final victory by Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz, NBC's Noah Eagle officially announced TNT Sports as the new U.S. rights holder. NBC had held the rights since 1983.

Luis Silberwasser, CEO of TNT Sports, expressed that acquiring the French Open aligns seamlessly with their global sports strategy and dedication to enriching their portfolio with premier live sports content.

WBD also highlighted the synergy with its longstanding 35-year partnership with Eurosport, which distributes the French Open across 55 countries outside the U.S.

WBD’s Strategic Position Amid NBA Rights Competition

This announcement comes as WBD strives to retain its valuable NBA broadcast rights, held by TNT since 1989. Industry sources like The Athletic report that Amazon Prime Video has proposed a $1.8 billion per season deal, while ESPN aims for $2.6 billion annually. Additionally, NBC is reportedly prepared to invest $2.5 billion per year to re-enter NBA broadcasting.

Following the announcement, shares of Warner Bros. Discovery declined by 1% to $8.04, Sinclair dropped 1.4% to $12.04, and Comcast fell 1.2% to $38.32. All three companies have experienced stock declines this year, with WBD down about 30%.

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