ESPN and WTA Family Circle Cup Extend TV Coverage Agreement

By: Caryn Robbins Mar. 26, 2014

ESPN and the WTA Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C. - the largest women's-only tennis tournament in the world -- have a new agreement that will extend their long-time relationship with continued TV coverage starting with the Round of 16 and an expanded weeklong schedule on ESPN3. The multi-year agreement takes effect with this year's tournament, which begins Monday, March 31, with exclusive coverage daily on ESPN3, joined by ESPN2 on Thursday, April 3.

"Every Spring for many years, fans have enjoyed great women's tennis action on the green clay in Charleston, and we're thrilled to extend and expand our relationship with this terrific event," said Jason Bernstein, ESPN senior director, programming & acquisitions. "With more hours of tennis than any other outlet, ESPN3 is the year-round essential companion for the tennis fan on the go."

Bob Moran, General Manager and Tournament Director of the Family Circle Cup, said, "The 2014 Family Circle Cup's expanded coverage via ESPN offers us a tremendous opportunity to showcase the tournament and Charleston region. With viewers and visitors from around the globe, our tournament continues to create media impressions worldwide, having lasting economic impacts on the Lowcounty. Now with every match on stadium court available for fans, we have more than 100 hours of tennis coverage from the Family Circle Cup available for viewers around the world. "

The 2014 WTA Family Circle Cup, Charleston, S.C.

· ESPN3: all main stadium matches daily March 31 - April 6.

· ESPN2: Starts Thursday, April 3, and continues through the championship Sunday, April 6 on ESPN2.

· Hall of Famer Cliff Drysdale will handle play-by-play duties, working with analyst Pam Shriver

· Defending Champion: Serena Williams (defeated Jelena Jankovic 3-6, 6-0, 6-2)

· 2014 Family Circle Cup Player field includes Williams, Jankovic, and many others currently ranked in the Top 30: Sara Errani, Sabine Lisicki, Sloane Stephens, Sam Stosur, Maria Kirilenko, Sorana Cirstea, Lucie Safarova and Svetlana Kuznetsova; plus all the other top Americans - Venus Williams, Madison Keys, Alison Riske, Vavara Lepchenko, Christina McHale, Lauren Davis and Vania King.

WatchESPN will deliver all the live television action online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and streamed on televisions through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members, Apple TV and Roku.

ESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and streamed on televisions through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members, Apple TV and Roku. The network is currently available to more than 85 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. The network is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers, smartphones and tablets connected to on-campus educational and on-base military broadband and Wi-Fi networks. ESPN3 carries thousands of hours of tennis annually, including all four Grand Slam events, plus ATP 1000 and 500 tournaments and WTA Premier Events, and the season-ending championships for both tours.

2014 WTA Family Circle Cup & ESPN

Date Time (ET) Event Network
March 31 - April 6 Daylong WTA Family Circle Cup, Charleston, S.C.
Early Round Action

ESPN3 LIVE
Thur, April 3 1 - 2:30 p.m. WTA Family Circle Cup, Charleston, S.C.
Round of 16

ESPN2 LIVE
Fri, April 4 1 - 2:30 p.m. WTA Family Circle Cup, Charleston, S.C.
Quarterfinal

ESPN2 LIVE
Sat, April 5 1 - 3 p.m. WTA Family Circle Cup, Charleston, S.C.
Semifinal

ESPN2 LIVE
Sun, April 6 1 - 3 p.m. WTA Family Circle Cup, Charleston, S.C.
Championship

ESPN2 LIVE