Tennis Channel Launches, Sort of

Although distribution is minimal, the Tennis Channel will officially launch today, following a 19-day “sneak preview” that began April 26.

During the preview period, the channel was available to any cable company that chose to pick it up. But few did.

With today’s launch, the Tennis Channel, based in Santa Monica, will be available on Cox and Time Warner systems in the San Diego area and on Time Warner in Palm Springs but not on any systems in the Los Angeles market.

Tennis Channel CEO David Meister said Wednesday that the channel should be available on Cox in Palos Verdes and Cox and Time Warner in Orange County next month. He said details are being worked out for Time Warner in Los Angeles to begin carrying the channel sometime before the end of the year.

The channel generally will be offered as part of a digital sports package. Meister said negotiations are ongoing with major cable operators such as Comcast, Adelphia and Charter, as well as satellite distributors DirecTV and Dish Network.

-- Larry Stewart