Ex-Amazon entertainment head Jeff Blackburn named CEO of Tennis Channel

Jeff Blackburn, who left his role as senior VP of global media and entertainment at Amazon around two years ago, has been named chairman and CEO of US digital and satellite network Tennis Channel.

Jeff Blackburn

In his new post, Blackburn will oversee the network’s growth in addition to its planned expansion across digital, streaming and international.

Tennis Channel, owned by local news- and sports-focused media company Sinclair, is the exclusive carrier of all men’s ATP World Tour and women’s WTA Tour competitions, as well as the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, United Cup and Laver Cup.

Blackburn previously spent 24 years at Amazon, where he was involved in major moves including its acquisition of MGM, the launch of Thursday Night Football on Prime and, more broadly, its expansion into streaming and sports.

He also oversaw a programming slate that included award-winning series such as Transparent, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Fleabag and The Boys.

“Jeff’s appointment marks a pivotal step in our strategy to accelerate Tennis Channel’s growth and unlock long-term value across Sinclair’s portfolio,” said Sinclair president and CEO Chris Ripley.

“His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow Tennis Channel’s distribution and expand its direct-to-consumer offering, further establishing Tennis Channel as a global, always-on destination for fans across every screen and platform.”