Golf Channel Acquires Cable Telecast Rights for Friday’s Matches, a Milestone in Network History
26.5 Total Hours of Live Coverage across Golf Channel on Friday, and NBC on Saturday and Sunday, Represents Most Ever for European-Based Ryder Cup
“It is exciting to expand our partnership with the PGA of America through NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of the 2014 Ryder Cup, one of the most prestigious events in all of sports,” said NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus. “Today’s announcement of providing complete coverage with the great addition of Golf Channel’s exclusive Friday coverage, bolsters our ability to bring this spectacular event to an ever-growing audience. We value and look to continue to grow our PGA of America partnership.”
“For the first time when played on European soil, fans in the United States will be treated to watching the Ryder Cup live in its entirety, and we’re thrilled that NBC Sports Group will deliver the drama and passion of this unparalleled event, as it unfolds,” said PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua. “Beginning with Golf Channel, the daily television voice of the golf community, and continuing through the weekend on NBC, audiences will be able to experience all of the breathtaking moments that define the Ryder Cup. By showcasing one of sport’s most exciting events live, on a global stage, the PGA of America is furthering our commitment to growing the game through our partnership with NBC Sports.”
NBC Sports Group’s 26.5 combined live hours of the 2014 Ryder Cup will be the most ever for a European-based event. This will include NBC’s live coverage of Saturday’s matches, which previously were tape delayed at events in Europe. Additionally, all of NBC and Golf Channel’s live coverage will be available for authenticated streaming via NBC Sports Live Extra and Golf Live Extra.
NBC Sports Group 2014 Ryder Cup Air Times (all times Eastern)
Sept. 26 Day One 2:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Golf Channel
Sept. 27 Day Two 3 a.m.-1 p.m. NBC
Sept. 28 Final Day 7 a.m.-1 p.m. NBC
Since joining the NBC Sports Group, Golf Channel has posted its most-watched year ever for the past three years consecutively, and the addition of live event coverage of the Ryder Cup will bolster the network’s continued growth. Golf Channel’s Friday coverage is part of a trade that includes an exchange of highlight rights and other considerations with ESPN. And after NBC Sports Group and the PGA of America’s new partnership agreement takes effect, Golf Channel will continue as the exclusive cable home of the Ryder Cup through 2030 as part of this deal, which is the longest national TV rights agreement in professional sports.
The tremendous growth of the Ryder Cup, which was first televised by NBC in 1991, is evident with nearly one-half billion households around the world watching the 2012 event from Medinah Country Club outside of Chicago, Ill. NBC Sports Group will continue building upon this success with a wave of new programming and special coverage of the Ryder Cup including: regular Ryder Cup preview shows, vignettes, features, reports and points updates on NBC and Golf Channel news and media outlets; live coverage of the Ryder Cup’s Opening and Closing Ceremonies; as well as Ryder Cup highlight programming on various NBCUniversal networks including Telemundo and Mun2 to expand Hispanic viewership opportunities.
About PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, the PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, the PGA of elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As the PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.
About NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January 2011, the sports assets of the two companies combined to form NBC Sports Group, which serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of a unique array of broadcast television, cable television, radio and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN (NBC Sports Network), Golf Channel, 12 NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Radio and all of their respective digital properties. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, MLS, Tour de France, French Open, Formula One, IndyCar and many more.
About Golf Channel
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Golf Channel, co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995, and now part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 120 million homes and 83 countries worldwide. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, as well as a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s highest-quality news, instruction and original programming. Customers of participating cable, satellite, telco and other video subscription services are able to enjoy 24/7 streaming of live Golf Channel content through GolfChannel.com and Golf Channel’s mobile application, Golf Live Extra. Golf Channel’s digital platforms are the leading golf destinations on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, as well as services that connect the world to golf.
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