ESPN is going all out in its 10th year covering the Wimbledon tennis championships.
The network will expand to 140 live hours of coverage with daylong marathon telecasts of the world’s oldest tennis tournament, starting with first ball Monday through to the men’s final July 7.
ESPN and ESPN2 will offer high-definition coverage, including three days of coverage of simultaneous matches all day July 2 through 4. ESPN3, the live 24/7 network, also will expand its schedule to present up to nine available TV courts. Viewers can catch all the action online at WatchESPN.com and through the WatchESPN app for smartphones and tablets.
The new schedule stems from an agreement between ESPN and the All England Lawn Tennis Club announced at the conclusion of the 2011 Championships. The agreement set out to ensure live broadcasts by the same company in every time zone.
The two-week Wimbledon tournament has been held at the All England Club in London since 1877. It is one of pro tennis’ four Grand Slam events with the French, U.S. and Australian opens.
Photographer files complaint over altercation with Baldwin
Another anger mismanagement allegation has arisen against Alec Baldwin, this time on his way to the altar.
A newspaper photographer filed a complaint with police Tuesday accusing the “30 Rock” star of punching him outside a marriage license bureau.
No charges had been filed, and the actor vehemently denied throwing any punches.
New York Daily News photographer Marcus Santos said Mr. Baldwin became enraged as he and other photographers were snapping pictures of the 54-year-old actor and his fiancee, Hilaria Thomas, outside the lower Manhattan office where marriage licenses are obtained.
On Wednesday, the Daily News reported that Mr. Baldwin knocked into a reporter for TV’s “Inside Edition” with his mountain bike as he left his apartment building, running over her foot. On Twitter, Mr. Baldwin said the cameramen were chasing him.
After Tuesday’s incident, Mr. Santos told the newspaper, “I knew he was going to attack me. I stepped back, and he kept coming.” He claimed the actor shoved him before punching him “one time, right in the chin.”
A statement on Tuesday from Mr. Baldwin’s publicist accused the photographer of being the aggressor.
As Mr. Baldwin and his fiancee were leaving, a person “walking in front of Alec positioned himself to obstruct the view of a photographer aggressively trying to shoot the couple,” the statement said. “The photographer was clearly frustrated, pushed past the bystander and assaulted Alec with his camera. There were no punches thrown, and any subsequent physical contact was simply Alec protecting himself.”
Photos on the newspaper’s website appear to show Mr. Baldwin shoving the photographer.
A New York Police Department spokeswoman confirmed the allegation was under investigation.
Last year, an American Airlines flight was delayed by Mr. Baldwin’s refusal to stop playing a cellphone game, and he was kicked off the plane. Mr. Baldwin later asked for forgiveness from fellow passengers but stopped short of apologizing to the airline or the flight attendant he later mocked on Twitter.
Palin’s husband to compete on military-inspired show
NBC says Sarah Palin’s husband, Todd, will compete against retired boxing champion Laila Ali, singer Nick Lachey and other celebrities in an upcoming competition show called “Stars Earn Stripes.”
NBC announced Tuesday that former presidential candidate Wesley Clark, a retired Army general, will co-host the series with television personality Samantha Harris.
The eight competitors will convene at a remote training facility to tackle difficult missions inspired by military exercises. Each competitor will be paired with a trainer who has been a member of the armed forces or a law enforcement agency.
Each team will play for a military or veterans charity. A team will be eliminated weekly.
“Stars Earn Stripes” premieres Aug. 13.
Whitney Houston’s mother to perform at BET Awards
Whitney Houston’s mother will perform a tribute to her late daughter alongside other female singers at the upcoming BET Awards.
A source familiar with BET’s plans said Tuesday that Cissy Houston will take the stage at the July 1 awards show to honor her daughter. Ms. Houston will be joined by “a few top divas,” the source said, though the source could not give their names.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the tribute has not been officially announced.
Whitney Houston died at age 48 in February. Authorities called her death an accidental drowning, complicated by heart disease and cocaine use.
The BET Awards will air live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Kanye West, Beyonce and Jay-Z are the top nominees.
Ray Romano booked for role on ’Parenthood’
Everybody Loves Raymond” star Ray Romano is heading for a different kind of family drama. The former “Men of a Certain Age” star has booked a multiple-episode arc on the upcoming fourth season of NBC’s “Parenthood,” the network said Tuesday.
Mr. Romano will play a photographer and former photojournalist who befriends Sarah (Lauren Graham) and complicates her relationship with Mark (Jason Ritter). He’ll first appear in the drama’s season-four premiere Sept. 11.
The ensemble series, which revolves around the Braverman family, was renewed last month for a 15-episode fourth season.
• Compiled from Web and wire reports
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