Tennis Channel has hired Patrick Wilson as senior vice president of distribution.
Located in the network's Los Angeles headquarters, the veteran affiliate sales executive will report to Tennis chairman and CEO Ken Solomon.
With more than 25 years of cable television senior management experience, Wilson will focus on adding to Tennis' distribution rollout during the past four years. Since 2005, the service has grown from 3.5 million homes to 25 million, with more than 55 million on board during major tournaments, via previews.
Wilson most recently spent seven years with Lifetime Networks, where he negotiated affiliation agreements with major distributors and developed the women's programmer's VOD services. Before that, he worked as vice president, affiliate relations, west, for E! Entertainment Television. His resume also includes entries as FX, Fox Movie Network, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon.
"We're thrilled to have Patrick on board to lead us through this exciting period of exponential household growth, a time when we now have all four tennis majors in our lineup," said Solomon in a statement. "His distribution track record at multiple well-known television brands as well as his relationships with major cable operators, satellite providers and the phone companies are second to none. We're very excited to add him to our senior-leadership team and look forward to his immediate impact on our business."
