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\n\tBroadcaster Sinclair has tapped media and tech executive Jeff Blackburn<\/a> chairman and chief executive Officer of Tennis Channel<\/a>, leading the network\u2019s strategic and expansion across digital, streaming and global platforms.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tHe replaces longtime Tennis Channel CEO\u00a0Ken Solomon. who exited last fall.<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tBlackburn was most recently SVP of Global Media and Entertainment at Amazon, where he worked for 24 years, becoming the prime architect of the company\u2019s expansion into streaming and sports. He was instrumental in building Prime Video, Amazon Studios, Amazon Music and Amazon\u2019s advertising and marketplace divisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tPrior to that he worked in Operations, Retail and Corporate and Business Development at Amazon.\u00a0Blackburn began his career as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank, where he oversaw Amazon\u2019s IPO in 1997.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\u00a0\u201cJeff\u2019s appointment marks a pivotal step in our strategy to accelerate Tennis Channel\u2019s growth and unlock long-term value across Sinclair\u2019s portfolio,\u201d said Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley. \u201cWith a track record of driving innovation and scaling multibillion-dollar media businesses, Jeff brings the strategic vision and operational expertise to expand our digital footprint, deepen audience engagement, and capitalize on global sports and streaming trends. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow Tennis Channel\u2019s distribution and expand its direct-to-consumer offering, further establishing Tennis Channel asa global, always-on destination for fans across every screen and platform.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tDuring his tenure at Amazon, Blackburn led high-profile initiatives such as the launch of\u00a0Thursday Night Football<\/em>\u00a0on Prime which won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Interactive Broadcast in its debut year, and the development and launch of break-through TV series that won multiple Emmys including\u00a0\u00a0Transparent, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,<\/em>\u00a0Fleabag, and The Boys.\u00a0<\/em>He also played a pivotal role in Amazon\u2019s acquisition and full integration of MGM to create Amazon MGM Studios.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tHe currently sits on the Board of Directors of Roku, DoorDash, and UTR Sports.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cTennis Channel is a sports treasure,\u201d said Blackburn.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s beloved by fans of the game, allowing for large growth opportunities ahead in streaming as well as new initiatives like Pickleball.\u00a0 Since childhood I\u2019ve been intensely passionate about tennis, so I\u2019m thrilled to take on the role and join this outstanding team.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tTennis Channel\u00a0and sibling network TennisChannel 2 are the exclusive U.S. homes of all men\u2019s ATP World Tour and women\u2019s WTA Tour competitions, Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, United Cup, and Laver Cup. The network\u2019s app and website house a direct-to-consumer streaming service with the traditional television network and 10,000 hours of live and on-demand matches as well as original content.\u00a0Tennis Channel International<\/em>\u00a0brings live competition and network content to markets in Europe and Asia via digital subscription and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels.<\/p>\n \n\tAdditional platform\u00a0www.tennis.com<\/a>\u00a0is the largest digital outlet dedicated to the sport. Tennis Channel is also a co-owner of Pickleballtv, a joint venture with the Professional Pickleball Association.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\tWatch on Deadline\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n