Netflix to consider bidding for ATP and WTA streaming rights

| by Tom Grant

It is perhaps the tennis worlds' worst-kept secret that in 2022, streaming giant Netflix have been behind the scenes filming both the ATP & WTA for their upcoming documentary series.

The series, which will offer an unfiltered look at life inside the tours through the perspective of the players and their teams, was announced in January 2022 ahead of the Australian Open, hoping to build on the success and new fans that similar series Drive to Survive brought to Formula 1.

And now, according to The Wall Street Journal, the streaming platform are reportedly considering venturing into the world of live sports streams, in a bid to reverse the worldwide decline in subscriber numbers.

One of the sports Netflix are apparently looking at is tennis, both the men's and women's main tours, and the US Newspaper claims they recently bid for the rights to the ATP Tour in several European markets, including France and the UK, before withdrawing from the race. They are also said to be considering a move for the WTA Tour in the UK.

Maria Sakkari, Taylor Fritz happy with Netflix Break Point's success
Maria Sakkari, Taylor Fritz happy with Netflix Break Point's success

The news follows October's announcement by Amazon Prime that they would not be looking to renew their stellar coverage of the tours when their current broadcasting deal comes to an end at the close of 2023.

While it has yet to be announced Sky Sports have already believed to have won rights to next year's US Open.

However, if Sky Sports does obtained rights to the US Open and ATP and WTA Tours, they will still miss three of the four major tournaments.

Wimbledon is proudly shown by the BBC in a deal costing the broadcaster a believed £60million a year. Meanwhile, the French and Australian Opens are broadcast by Eurosport who will want to keep their coverage of the events and could add to their portfolio if they can out-bid Sky Sports.

But until there is any further news, the future of how tennis fans can get their tennis fix remains entirely unclear.

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