Tennis fans are seeing more coverage than ever before because of a unique partnership between ESPN2 and the Tennis Channel. The two networks are working together to make sure tennis fans get to see their favorite stars play.
ESPN production executive Jed Drake said their relationship with the Tennis Channel is one that works well for both sides.
“Our goal is to give tennis fans the best coverage possible and especially on the majors,” Drake said. “We work with the Tennis Channel on all the majors now and, in Paris, viewers won’t miss an important match or a key moment. Our coverage both compliments and enhances the amount and the quality of tennis that [the] viewer is able to see.”
Tennis Channel starts coverage this week early, lasting from 5 a.m. till noon when ESPN2 picks up the action and finishes things up at 6:30 p.m. Then in prime time, if you missed any of the day’s live action, Tennis Channel has “French Open Tonight” nightly from 6:30-10, live from Paris.
And on the hardwood …
Three series are being played out in the NBA’s conference finals: Nuggets vs. Lakers, Cavaliers vs. Magic, TNT vs. ESPN/ABC.
Both networks have pulled out all the stops in their coverage. TNT has Marv Albert, Doug Collins and Craig Sager on game coverage while the pregame, halftime and postgame are handled by the entertaining gang of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Chris Weber and Charles Barkley. They have done a great job with the Cavs-Magic series.
Over on ESPN/ABC, where the Nuggets and Lakers are battling it out, Mike Breen told me, “if fans aren’t enjoying these two series, then they don’t like basketball.”
Breen is joined by Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Doris Burke. The pregame, halftime and postgame duties are handled by Stu Scott, Magic Johnson, Mike Wilbon and Jon Barry.
Both broadcast teams have used wired locker rooms, outstanding camera work and quality analysis to give viewers some great memories. For TNT it has to be the buzzer beater in Game Two by LeBron James. They had it from every angle with the call from Marv Albert — how good is that?
On the ESPN/ABC side it has not been one shot, but the focus of how Kobe Bryant is leading the Lakers that has been impressive. The good news is there is more to come.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
