I was watching the Tsitsipas match. In the second set, tied 4-4. Tennis channel switched to show a women’s match of lower ranked players. Tsitsipas, #5 in the world who has a chance of winning the entire thing is being pushed aside for a women’s match with players who are not even top 20, one of which not even top 100. That makes no sense. Who would want to watch a match with much lower level players who will probably not make it beyond the 2nd-3rd round. Before you go there, I would feel the same way if it was men’s qualifiers being shown over a Naomi Osaka match.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
They want you to subscribe on TC Plus - I’m watching the Tsitsipas match on there. I always feel like TC shows too many WTA matches when there are ATP matches with top players going on. They even show WTA matches when the top ranked player in the world Djokovic is playing at some tournaments.
The only guaranteed matches they show are if Serena, Coco, Osaka or Federer are playing - I guess they must be the players who bring the most ratings for TC as one would assume that they do whatever their profits dictate. Many of the ads on TC are geared towards either old people or women and so, I guess that is their primary viewer base.
I had to sign up for TC Plus because I watch the ATP primarily and don’t have an interest in watching 40-year old players like Federer either.
The only guaranteed matches they show are if Serena, Coco, Osaka or Federer are playing - I guess they must be the players who bring the most ratings for TC as one would assume that they do whatever their profits dictate. Many of the ads on TC are geared towards either old people or women and so, I guess that is their primary viewer base.
I had to sign up for TC Plus because I watch the ATP primarily and don’t have an interest in watching 40-year old players like Federer either.
Cupcake
Hall of Fame
Yes, the TC tends to show too many women's matches when better men's matches are going on. And then they try to promote TCplus way too much. If TCplus was month to month, it might be worth it just for the French Open. If TC weren't the only network carrying the French Open in the US, I wouldn't bother subscribing to it.
For the other majors, the TC is not needed. ESPN coupled with it's very reasonable online service is far better.
For the other majors, the TC is not needed. ESPN coupled with it's very reasonable online service is far better.
FiddlerDog
Hall of Fame
What does ESPN cost if I Want to watch Wimb and USO ?
Cupcake
Hall of Fame
I access the majors (not the French Open) via a monthly subscription to the online streaming service 'Sling'. For the FO on The Tennis Channel, I add the orange sports package to Sling Orange ($46/month). For the other majors (Wimb, USO, Aus) , the plain, basic Sling Orange subscription carries ESPN and ESPN2. With a subscription to Sling Orange ($35/month), you get free access to the ESPN online tennis, which in years past televised all live matches on all courts, plus free replays. I hope that is what they do this year too.
When YouTubeTV used to carry the tennis channel, a subscription to that service did not give you access to the ESPN online matches, so if you subscribe to online streaming, make sure it will give you free access to ESPN online, or whatever it's called now. It used to be ESPN3.
Cupcake
Hall of Fame
Yes, but that does not necessarily give you access to the tennis. I made that mistake one year...
But these services seem to change every year, so access and prices might be different this year. Watching tennis in the US can be a real challenge.
GabeT
G.O.A.T.
So with the right package you can watch all FO via Sling?
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
That's hilarious, so the already premium channel wants you to subscribe to another premium service?
Rafa4LifeEver
G.O.A.T.
Slowtwitcher
Legend
Can you watch Eurosport Player with a VPN?
McLovin
Legend
I held out for so long, but when Disney bundled ESPN, Disney +, and Hulu, it was a no-brained for me. Mandalorian, Marvel, and tennis? Take my $…
Rafa4LifeEver
G.O.A.T.
While you surely can, I don't think it'll be worth it to use with a VPN, no VPN can reliably stream 4k content. You'll have to stick with FHD, Gentleman.
Cupcake
Hall of Fame
No. With Sling Orange, plus sports add-on, for the FO, you only get the Tennis Channel. For more, you'd have to add TCplus for about $100 for the entire year.
I think there might also be some minor FO coverage on NBC on the weekend. Don't know for sure.
With Sling orange, without add on sports, for the other majors, you get ESPN and it's online access. At least last year that was the arrangement.
GabeT
G.O.A.T.
in your experience is there any advantage to having the regular Tennis Channel if you get TCPlus? Am looking into that
You don't get the main TC feed with TC Plus. BUT TC plus will offer several match options to chose from
at the same time, whereas TC on offers the main feed/featured match, etc.
GabeT
G.O.A.T.
I guess my question is whether the main TC feed is worth anything. I used it some years ago and as I recall it jumped all over the place so you could never guarantee you'd get to see the match you want in full. My understanding is that TCPlus allows you to pick any match and watch it from beginning to end. Is that correct? if so I may just pony up for TCPlus.
My other concern is whether TCPlus shows the SFs and the Final. Or is that only on NBC?
Incredible what a mess the FO TV rights are in the US.
ForehandRF
Legend
I don't use that application tbh, I just simply watch Eurosport
Open Stance
Professional
So I wake up and put TC on the TV. Tiafoe is playing Steve Johnson. Isner is playing Querrey. Yet TC is showing Iga drum some no name love and one.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
They did this 2 weeks ago showing the women over Nadal/Opelka I was so irritated.
There are occasions i wish i had the TC feed, but the TC Plus gives lots more options. No, once the networks take over
or just the main TC feed, you are out of luck.
ollinger
G.O.A.T.
Tennis Chanel has the highest percentage of female viewers (43 percent) of any sports channel, and they want to hold on to those ladies.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Give me a break. Most women watch men’s matches and always have. I haven’t watched one WTA match since Steffi retired.
Rafa4LifeEver
G.O.A.T.
Yeah byt Eurosportplayer is a part of thatI don't use that application tbh, I just simply watch Eurosport
am1899
Legend
Dont have personal experience but what I’ve heard is to register you have to have a cc with an EU billing address. Not impossible to do, but a significant deterrent I suppose. My guess is if you could achieve that, you could probably watch the content with a vpn. YMMV.
ollinger
G.O.A.T.
Well, that suggests you're a little odd, and very atypical. Big article on the Deloitte (accounting and finance firm) Insights website recently about women's sports, indicating the greatest growth now is in viewership of women's sports, including tennis
Where did you poll these women?
FiddlerDog
Hall of Fame
I am willing to pay $80 for a year of TC+.
I am not willing to pay $30/mo+ for any service
I am not willing to pay $30/mo+ for any service
You can just cancel your membership after one month. You don't need the months that don't have the tournaments you wanna watch.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Exactly. There's no reason why I should HAVE to stream 95% of the matches I watch in a year.
GabeT
G.O.A.T.
At least tennis should have one single app or service that covers the whole tour. Tennis TV does a pretty good job with the non slams but each slam has its own approach. And the FO is among the worst, at least in the US
It seems like almost all cable stations in the US are using a model similar to TC.
With the main channel you get crap or OK stuff to watch, but buy our better channel and you get everything---oh except the crap that you get with our other feed.
So now I have to either buy cable and 8 other plus subscriptions, or subscribe two 2 or 3 althernative services like Hulu.Sling etc and then still buy the plus subscriptions.
To think I hated old cable that just bundled everything together. The hope to get away from old cable would be the ability to pick and choose stations. Ha, programmers figured to spread the good content over multiple venues so you have to cough up more dough.
Every time TC says, "You can watch the rest of this match on TC plus..." makes me cringe and they know they got me by the Penns.
With the main channel you get crap or OK stuff to watch, but buy our better channel and you get everything---oh except the crap that you get with our other feed.
So now I have to either buy cable and 8 other plus subscriptions, or subscribe two 2 or 3 althernative services like Hulu.Sling etc and then still buy the plus subscriptions.
To think I hated old cable that just bundled everything together. The hope to get away from old cable would be the ability to pick and choose stations. Ha, programmers figured to spread the good content over multiple venues so you have to cough up more dough.
Every time TC says, "You can watch the rest of this match on TC plus..." makes me cringe and they know they got me by the Penns.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
TC used to be amazing too, which makes this push for plus so annoying.
slipgrip93
Professional
You didn't catch Henin's matches back then? Maybe you might enjoy Iga's matches. She's something else when she's on.
FiddlerDog
Hall of Fame
I do not have access to Basic TC
If I can watch every Slam on TC+, I will pay the $80 now.
If I can watch every Slam on TC+, I will pay the $80 now.
FiddlerDog
Hall of Fame
I have enjoyed my TC+ subscription during this FO.
Nadal_Django
Legend
What in the name is happening this week.. It's only WTA, WTA, WTA basically the whole week. What's the deal here?
Aabye5
G.O.A.T.
Ah, that's a much better option.
They want you to purchase the TC+ package.What in the name is happening this week.. It's only WTA, WTA, WTA basically the whole week. What's the deal here?
What in the name is happening this week.. It's only WTA, WTA, WTA basically the whole week. What's the deal here?
Really? I see Rogers Men Toronto scheduled at noon ET.
Cincinnati starts on Sunday.
Ha. So because someone would rather watch a men’s match over women’s means they are a rabid right wing insecure male? That’s some major projecting right there. The people who make those claims are typically the ones who are trying to convince everyone else that’s not them.
I do like some WTA players and watch their matches, but I would rather watch the top men play over the top women. It’s the same as preferring watching the premiere league over the MLS. One is a higher level, but people like you make it about gender. You are what you claim to hate.
Rafa.the.Magnificent
G.O.A.T.
I have Tennis Channel and find they put women on WAY more than they should (meaning when higher ranked men are playing). At that point I’m always so glad I have ATP Tennis TV so I can switch! I do like to watch some women’s matches, but watch the men much more. Now back in the day, I loved to watch the best women play! For the majors I hook up with ESPN Plus.
