FCC orders Comcast to expand Tennis Channel distribution

Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) must offer subscribers access to The Tennis Channel in the same expanded basic programming tiers that it distributes its own Versus (soon to be renamed NBC Sports Network) and the Golf Channel, an FCC administrative law judge ruled Tuesday.

It's a big score. Tennis, which is independently owned, had complained that the nation's largest cable MSO was discriminating against it by giving broader distribution to networks that it owns. Comcast distributes Tennis in a premium sports tier. While Tennis Channel could potentially pick up more than 20 million additional subscribers if it moves to expanded basic tiers on Comcast cable systems, the MSO says it'll appeal the ruling.

The ruling was also cheered by Bloomberg TV, another independently owned channel that has been pushing Comcast to carry it in channel positions that are adjacent to business news rival CNBC, which is owned by Comcast.

For more:
- The New York Times has this story
- The Los Angeles Times has this story

Related articles:

Cablevision, Verizon lose Tennis Channel
AT&T sets U-verse Multiview coverage for U.S. Open
No love lost: Tennis whacks Comcast