Say Goodbye to Wimbledon on NBC

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/05/2300368/wimbledon-coverage-goes-from-nbc.html

ESPN Acquires All Wimbledon Live U.S. TV Rights Including Singles Finals

Twelve-Year Agreement Starting in 2012

ESPN has acquired the exclusive U.S. television rights to live action from The Championships, Wimbledon, including both the Ladies' and Gentlemen's Singles Finals, in a 12-year agreement with the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club beginning in 2012. Comprehensive coverage from start to finish across a variety of platforms will result in more tennis for fans and all of it live.

ESPN will present Wimbledon on its multimedia array of platforms, including both ESPN and ESPN2 simultaneously the second Monday-Wednesday. This will allow for expanded coverage of the Round of 16 and live telecasts of all quarterfinals. ESPN will televise the semifinals and finals. ESPN on ABC will broadcast a three-hour highlights show on the "middle Sunday" of the tournament, and will reair the finals on a same-day basis at 3 p.m. ET.

In addition to the newly acquired rights, all of ESPN's existing coverage will continue -- television, broadband, mobile, and other rights in the U.S., Latin America and Canada (through 2021). Since 2003, ESPN networks have aired approximately 100 hours annually - with another 650 on ESPN3.com, primarily on weekdays and capped by one Ladies' and one Gentlemen's semifinal. Through 2023, the television schedule will increase to more than 140 hours, including full live national coverage of the semifinals and finals. ESPN3.com's schedule will expand to 750 hours, also with the semifinals and finals presented live.