If you’re flipping through YouTube TV and hoping to land on the Tennis Channel right before a Grand Slam semifinal, you might feel a little let down. There’s no Tennis Channel on YouTube TV. Not now, not as of July 2025, and not since the channel was yanked from the streaming lineup years back. Let’s be real—nothing is more frustrating for tennis fans than a blackout during big matches or missing out on behind-the-scenes tournament coverage. So, what’s the deal here? Why can’t you tune in, and what are the best moves for real tennis junkies who just want to watch their favorite sport without flipping between seven different apps? Here's the scoop.
Why the Tennis Channel Isn’t Available on YouTube TV
First, let’s settle a rumor: the Tennis Channel used to be on YouTube TV. It vanished in March 2020 after contract negotiations hit a dead end. Ever since, subscribers have been asking for its return. Tennis Channel is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, while YouTube TV is owned by Google. The two companies couldn’t agree on carriage fees. Sinclair wanted more money per subscriber; YouTube TV, aiming to keep prices down, walked away. The casualty? Every tennis die-hard using YouTube TV lost access to over 90% of live pro tennis matches—the ones you only find on the Tennis Channel.
That stings because Tennis Channel isn’t just about the big names and the flashy finals at majors. It’s about Davis Cup ties, the high-level ATP 250s, the WTA 500s, challenger events, next-generation stars, and those quirky behind-the-scenes documentaries. Missing it feels like having a Grand Slam with no crowd noise. For perspective, Tennis Channel covered more than 5,000 hours of live matches last year, while ESPN and NBC’s tennis coverage barely scratched the surface in comparison.
If you’re a casual tennis fan who just tunes in for Wimbledon or the US Open, you might not even notice the gap. But for most tennis heads, that rich, continuous coverage simply isn’t there on YouTube TV right now. Tracking rumors, there hasn’t been much movement on new contracts or services between YouTube TV and Tennis Channel. So anyone telling you it might come back "soon" is just guessing.
What Tennis Content You Can Watch on YouTube TV
So, what does YouTube TV actually have for tennis? Let’s break it down. It still provides access to ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, CBS, NBC, and sometimes regional Fox and NBC sports channels. That's where you'll catch the Grand Slams: ESPN covers the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open (with some help from ABC), and NBC handles the French Open. But coverage outside the majors barely exists. For instance, you don’t get Masters 1000s, most ATP or WTA events, or “Road to Roland Garros” type specials.
While there’s no native “Sports Plus” add-on on YouTube TV that gives access to the Tennis Channel like you can find with some cable or other streaming services, YouTube TV does offer some live tennis streams and highlight shows through channels like ESPN and the Olympic Channel (for particular events). Some classic matches and condensed replays are available on YouTube itself—just not, confusingly, as part of the YouTube TV package.
Here’s a simple breakdown in case you want to see what tennis lives and dies on YouTube TV:
| Tournament/Event | YouTube TV Coverage |
|---|---|
| Australian Open | Yes (ESPN, ESPN2) |
| French Open | Yes (NBC/Peacock) |
| Wimbledon | Yes (ESPN, ESPN2) |
| US Open | Yes (ESPN, ESPN2) |
| ATP/WTA Tours (non-majors) | No |
| Challenger Tours | No |
| Tennis Channel Exclusives | No |
So, unless a match is at one of the Slams—or sneaks onto NBC or ESPN as a rare treat—YouTube TV leaves you in the dark.
The Best Ways to Watch the Tennis Channel Without YouTube TV
If you’re not ready to switch from YouTube TV entirely, you’ve still got options. Tennis Channel is available on a handful of other streaming platforms that don’t require a cable subscription. If you just want the best and most tennis, these are your main choices:
- Sling TV (Blue package + Sports Extra): Adds the Tennis Channel and costs less than most full cable replacements. Sling is the only major service offering Tennis Channel a la carte.
- Fubo: Sports-heavy, pricey, but you get Tennis Channel and a stack of other niche sports networks. They almost always run free trials during Grand Slam season too.
- DirecTV Stream: Not the budget pick, but packs Tennis Channel in its "Choice" and higher-tier plans.
- Tennis Channel+: The Tennis Channel’s standalone streaming service. No cable or satellite login needed. It’s cheaper than you might think, and you can watch live and on-demand matches outside of the Grand Slams.
Let’s get real: none of these services are perfect. Sometimes matches can be blacked out in your area, or you need two apps open at once during Slam season. But for consistent, wall-to-wall tennis—especially if you’re chasing hard-court ATP 500s in Asia at 4 a.m. or want to keep tabs on rising stars in Stuttgart—Sling and Tennis Channel+ lead the pack. Bonus tip: all major streaming services let you cancel monthly, so you can jump in and out during peak tennis season and then save money during the off-months.
Ever notice every other sports streaming service gets bulked up with unnecessary extras? Not here. Real tennis addicts usually rotate subscriptions: maybe YouTube TV for slams and NFL, then Fubo or Sling for non-stop tour action. It’s all about mixing and matching to fit what you actually watch. Set calendar reminders for trial periods so you don’t end up overpaying—one of the oldest tricks in the modern cord-cutter’s handbook.
Tennis Fan Tips: Getting the Most Out of Streaming in 2025
So how do you keep up with every spin serve, every Grand Slam press conference, every nail-biting tiebreak in 2025? Welcome to the world of streaming savvy tennis. Until YouTube TV brings back the Tennis Channel (which isn’t looking likely this year), here are some tips that’ll keep you close to the action without a hassle:
- Leverage Free Trials: Most platforms offer 5-7 day free trials. If you time it right, you can watch a week of ATP Masters or even a Slam round for free.
- Follow Official Socials: Both Tennis Channel and most tournaments now share real-time updates and highlight clips on Twitter and YouTube. It’s not full matches, but it’s better than nothing during a blackout.
- Explore Tennis Channel+: It’s surprisingly deep for international tournaments, challenger events, and classic matches on-demand. If you’re impatient or want early feeds before TV, Tennis Channel+ is where a lot of die-hards go first.
- Mix and Match Providers: It may sound like a hassle, but “stacking” streaming services during the busiest months actually saves cash. Unsubscribe after the French Open, then re-up for Asian swing or US Open hard-court season.
- Plan for Blackouts: Grand Slam finals almost never get blacked out, but smaller ATP or WTA events sometimes do. Double-check local listings or set up a backup service for those days.
- Don’t Forget Classic YouTube: Many full matches get uploaded to YouTube after they air—sometimes legally, sometimes in a grey area—so check “Full Match Tennis” or “Classics Rewind” channels for old gems you can’t find anywhere else.
Streaming isn’t always as smooth as turning on cable, but if you play your cards right, you won’t miss the moments that matter. And with streaming giants always fighting for fresh sports contracts, keep your eye on news from both YouTube TV and Tennis Channel. Maybe 2026 will bring the reunion tennis fans crave. Until then, your best bet is learning how to juggle apps and time free trials for max tennis.