It’s been a busy year for Solomon and Tennis Channel. Solomon sparked more growth for its second network T2, which rolled out on Amazon Freevee, Hulu, Fubo and Roku over the past year. Like many others, he also embraced the rapidly rising sport of Pickleball with the launch of Pickleballtv. But it hasn’t just been domestic growth for Tennis Channel—it launched in Spain in August, bringing the network’s international footprint to eight. What’s next for Tennis Channel to serve in 2024? Direct to consumer.
Was Charter’s Disney deal precedent setting? The battle of the ages turned into a marriage of convenience. Charter subs got free SVOD from DISNEY/ESPN+, who kept distribution on the still vital, but melting Spectra-verse. Now Mouse/ESPN joins Fox and WBD to fend off FAANG’s sports rights raid, launching their own sports VMVPD.
Summer Olympics event you most want to see in person? Really? Hint… fuzzy yellow balls.
What emerging industry trend are you most excited by? FAST – SVOD was the mega TV disruptor, but not the cure. FAST is the antidote, the return to good old FREE, mass-scale, ad-supported channels, plus real viewer ratings! It’s a massively uniting global standard. Our second 24/7 channel – T2 – already has a 245 million-plus universe with LIVE top pro tennis and all original shows.
Do you personally still have a traditional cable video package? YES, YES, YES! The bundle remains the best deal ever. People thought they were paying for networks they didn’t want, but were really only paying for those they loved, and getting the rest for free. The bundle shall rise again.
TV series everyone should binge: Netflix’s WWII documentary series (from Angus Wall/RPS) is historic and should be mandatory viewing for every U.S. citizen and legislator, to remember the impossible sacrifices made for this country to remain a free society.
What celebrity would you hire for your company and why? The Rock—he’s universally loved and a great role model (and he has my daughter running his movie business)
If you were a social media influencer, what product would you peddle? Patience, tolerance, fair compromise, constructive dissent and returning to vinyl
Book, movie or TV series that greatly influenced my leadership style: 1) Dr. Phil McGraw—“We’ve Got Issues: How You Can Stand Strong for America’s Soul and Sanity.” 2) Frank and Jane Biondi Munna—“Let’s Be Frank: A Daughter’s Tribute to Her Father, The Media Mogul You’ve Never Heard of”