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PGA TOUR and NBC Sports Group announce live streaming of every shot during THE PLAYERS Championship in 2020

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Marks the first time ever fans can follow every shot by every player live

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – For the first time ever in golf, every shot by every player will be live-streamed from a full-field tournament when THE PLAYERS Championship returns to TPC Sawgrass, March 12-15, allowing fans to follow any player in the elite field, all four rounds. All of this revolutionary coverage will be available to PGA TOUR LIVE subscribers on either NBC Sports Gold or Amazon Prime Video Channels.

“The PGA TOUR is the most content-rich sport on the planet and we have been focused on expanding the amount of content we bring to our fans from our competitions,” said Rick Anderson, Chief Media Officer for the TOUR. “Our vision is to bring every shot in every PGA TOUR golf tournament live and on-demand to our fans, and this is the first step to making that happen.”

PGA TOUR Entertainment and NBC Sports Group will accomplish the monumental task of showcasing more than 32,000 shots over 72 holes from a starting field of 144 – live – by utilizing nearly 120 cameras positioned throughout THE PLAYERS Stadium Course, with each group having its own dedicated stream.

“Every shot of THE PLAYERS on PGA TOUR LIVE is a natural next step in the innovative partnership between NBC Sports and the PGA TOUR that spans nearly 60 years,” said Mike McCarley, president, GOLF, NBC Sports Group. “Super-serving golf fans with more comprehensive coverage of THE PLAYERS is emblematic of our commitment to elevating this championship and builds upon our success in adding enhancements to PGA TOUR LIVE on NBC Sports Gold.”

PGA TOUR LIVE already has expanded its coverage for the 2019-20 PGA TOUR Season by adding early round featured groups coverage from seven events between September and December. This includes, for the first time ever, live streaming of “featured matches” all four days of competition from the upcoming Presidents Cup at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia (December 12-15, 2019).

All told, approximately 140 hours of additional live content is available, bringing more than 1,100 total hours to subscribers and extending live content across each month of the calendar year. With NBC Sports Gold and Prime Video Channels being available on dozens of connected devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast, connected device consumption has spiked to about one-third of total minutes in 2019.

Further, the PGA TOUR will be launching an all-new TOURCast product that will allow fans to follow every shot from each group with a beautiful 3D rendering of the golf course and shot trails. The new TOURCast platform will also include deep access to the PGA TOUR’s ShotLink powered by CDW data, as well as video clips of every single shot available for fans to see, on demand. The launch of TOURCast at THE PLAYERS will mark the start of every event in the PGA TOUR Season through the FedExCup Playoffs being offered on the platform. TOURCast will be available on the PGA TOUR’s mobile apps and website.

“Since the launch of PGA TOUR LIVE four years ago, fans have consistently asked when they would be able to watch every shot of every player’s round live as it happens. We are thrilled to be able to do this for the first time at THE PLAYERS Championship in 2020,” said Luis Goicouria, the TOUR’s Senior Vice President of Media. “THE PLAYERS Championship has long been the tournament where the TOUR debuts the newest technology, including LIVE@ 17, our first Virtual Reality experience, and the PGA TOUR Augmented Reality iPhone app, just to name a few.”

TOURCast, which originally launched in 2003 as a state-of-the-art graphical scoring platform that provided unprecedented tournament coverage, won an Emmy in 2005. “We’re very excited to bring back a greatly enhanced version of it to a new generation of fans, utilizing the latest technology and data,” Goicouria added.

From the historic competition to an iconic golf course with an unparalleled fan experience, THE PLAYERS is uncompromising in its pursuit to deliver the best. The 144-player field represents the strongest collection of players assembled each season, competing on Pete Dye’s masterpiece, THE PLAYERS Stadium Course, that favors no single style of play and demands excellence in every facet of the game.

THE PLAYERS also was the first tournament conceived with the fan as its focal point. From the original design incorporating viewing mounds, to embracing change to deliver the best experience in the modern game, THE PLAYERS provides the highest expression of hospitality and entertainment. Morgan Stanley, Grant Thornton LLP and Optum® are the exclusive Proud Partners of THE PLAYERS.

GOLF CHANNEL AIRING “SNEAK PEEK” OF PGA TOUR LIVE ON NBC SPORTS GOLD DURING THURSDAY’S OPENING ROUND OF FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN

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Thursday’s Featured Groups Coverage of PGA TOUR LIVE on

NBC Sports Gold to Air on GOLF Channel Beginning at

Noon ET Ahead of Live Tournament Coverage at 3 p.m. ET

 

Thursday’s Featured Groups:

Day/Rahm/Snedeker (12:30 p.m. ET); Horschel/Rose/Spieth (12:40 p.m. ET)

 

Tiger Woods Highlights Friday’s Featured Groups Coverage;

Second Group to be Chosen via Twitter’s “Fan Vote Friday” Program


ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2019) – On Thursday, NBC Sports Group will offer fans a “sneak peek” of PGA TOUR LIVE on NBC Sports Gold, with the opening round Featured Groups coverage of the Farmers Insurance Open airing simultaneously live on GOLF Channel, beginning at Noon ET.

 

Thursday’s Featured Groups coverage on GOLF Channel will precede the network’s traditional live tournament coverage at 3 p.m. ET, giving viewers a glimpse at the video subscription platform available for purchase in the United States. In total, nearly 900 hours of premium live tournament programming will be available to PGA TOUR LIVE subscribers on NBC Sports Gold in 2019. This sneak peek for fans on Thursday follows last week’s official launch of PGA TOUR LIVE on NBC Sports Gold.

 

The Featured Groups being shown during Thursday’s PGA TOUR LIVE coverage include:

  • Jason Day/Jon Rahm/Brandt Snedeker (12:30 p.m. ET, 10th tee)
  • Billy Horschel/Justin Rose/Jordan Spieth (12:40 p.m. ET, 10th tee)

 

Friday’s PGA TOUR LIVE coverage on NBC Sports Gold will include Tony Finau/Xander Schauffele/Tiger Woods (1:40 p.m. ET, 10th tee) as one of two Featured Groups. The other group will be selected via Twitter’s “Fan Vote Friday” program.

 

“This sneak peek is in collaboration with the PGA TOUR in an effort to give viewers – who may have never seen PGA TOUR LIVE – a chance to experience the early-round access the service provides,” said Tom Knapp, executive vice president of partnerships and programming, GOLF Channel. “For those already familiar with the platform, Thursday’s simultaneous coverage on GOLF Channel will offer a glimpse at the enhancements and new offerings to PGA TOUR LIVE in 2019.”

 

Available on double the number of supported platforms versus 2018, PGA TOUR LIVE on NBC Sports Gold is available for purchase for $64.99/season at https://www.nbcsports.com/gold/pga-tour-live, featuring the most robust offering ever for the service, including:

  • Live four-day coverage from 27 PGA TOUR events
  • 10-minute “Speed Round” recaps for Featured Groups
  • Expansive VOD content
  • Integrated scoring and statistics

 

Through NBC Sports Gold, PGA TOUR LIVE is on more supported platforms than ever, including web, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku and Chromecast. In July, the PGA TOUR and NBC Sports Group announced a multi-year digital partnership to carry PGA TOUR LIVE on NBC Sports Gold.

-NBC Sports Group-

 

Media Contact:

Jeff Szklinski

Golf Channel Communications

407-248-3267

Jeff.Szklinski@golfchannel.com

ESPN Prime Time Film to Showcase Tiger Woods’ Historic Comeback Season and 80th career PGA TOUR victory

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The historic comeback season of Tiger Woods will be documented in a prime time film debuting on ESPN on Sunday, Dec. 30, at 9 p.m. ET.

The post ESPN Prime Time Film to Showcase Tiger Woods’ Historic Comeback Season and 80th career PGA TOUR victory appeared first on ESPN MediaZone U.S..

GOLF CHANNEL POSTS MOST-WATCHED, MOST-STREAMED & MOST-ENGAGED THIRD QUARTER EVER

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Golf Digital’s Video Starts Already Sets Best Year Ever Mark

NBC Sports Group’s 2018 PGA TOUR Broadcast Season Posts Most-Watched Year Since 2006

 

Orlando, FL, (Oct 4, 2018) – Golf Channel wrapped its best third quarter ever, across viewership, streaming and digital engagement. This was fueled by Tiger Woods’ return to the top echelon of the game, especially across NBC Sports’ slate of marquee third quarter events, including The 147th Open, PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs, and the Ryder Cup.

 

MOST-WATCHED, MOST-STREAMED, MOST-ENGAGED THIRD QUARTER EVER

  • Golf Channel posted its most-watched third quarter ever (126,000, P2+) across a 24-hour period, up 9% vs. 2017 (116k).
  • September was Golf Channel’s most-watched September ever (132k), up 33% vs. 2017, and becomes the third month this year to set a most-watched milestone (January and March).
  • Golf Digital’s most-streamed quarter ever with 342 million minutes streamed, up 72% vs. 2017.
  • Golf Digital’s record-setting pace in 2018 includes video starts already setting its most-engaged year ever with 53.4 million starts with the full fourth quarter still remaining.

 

“Golf’s third quarter benefitted from NBCUniversal’s expertise in promoting, producing and partnering with some of golf’s biggest events and the return of the sport’s biggest star. Golf Channel is now on record pace for its best year ever,” said Mike McCarley, president, Golf, NBC Sports. “This momentum continues as we chronicle Tiger Woods’ comeback in a unique situation where he’s competing against a generation of athletes he inspired, across an improved 2019 schedule featuring marquee events from March through August.”

 

ADDITIONAL YEAR-TO-DATE HIGHLIGHTS IN 2018 INCLUDE:

  • With nearly 3,450 live hours programmed in 2018, Golf Channel has its most live hours ever programmed, up 107% vs. 2010, the year prior to Golf Channel becoming a part of the NBC Sports Group.
  • NBC Sports’ PGA TOUR live coverage has averaged 3.7 million viewers in 2018, up 60% vs. 2017, and making it NBC’s most-watched PGA TOUR season since 2006.
  • Golf Channel’s PGA TOUR live coverage has averaged 523k viewers for the 2017-2018 season, up 29% vs. the 2016-2017 season and Golf Channel’s most-watched PGA TOUR season since the wrap-around season began in fall, 2012.

 

THIRD QUARTER EVENTS DRIVING RECORD VIEWERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT:

  • Ryder Cup: Up vs. 2014:
    • NBC Sports’ live television coverage of the Ryder Cup drew nearly 3 million unique viewers, up 8% vs. 2014, the last time Europe hosted the event.
    • Across Golf Channel and NBC, Total Audience Delivery (TAD) was up all three days 2014.
  • PGA TOUR FedExCup Playoffs: Best Ever In Playoff History:
    • NBC Sports’ live television coverage of all four FedExCup Playoff events was most-viewed since 2007, drawing 32.6 million unique viewers, up 44% vs. 2017.
    • The last three weekends’ TAD Delivery of 3.33 million average viewers on NBC, up 55% vs. 2017, and early round coverage at all four events TAD was 863k average viewers on Golf Channel, up 40% vs. 2017.
  • The 147TH Open: Largest Total Audience in Five Years:
    • NBC Sports’ live television coverage drew 26 million unique viewers, most for The Open since 2013, and up 19% vs. 2017.
    • Across all four days, digital streaming garnered 125 million minutes, up 24% vs. 2017, and making The 147th Open the most-streamed golf event ever for NBC Sports.
    • Viewership across The R&A’s three major championships, The Open, Senior Open and Women’s British Open, was the most-watched since 2009 (TNT/ABC), and up 24%, vs. 2017

 

GOLF CHANNEL’S FOURTH QUARTER SCHEDULE OF MARQUEE EVENTS:

  • Scotland to South Korea This Week:
    • European Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship each morning from the historic trio of the Old Course St. Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie, which earlier this year hosted The 147th Open and was where Champion Golfer of the Year and European Ryder Cup hero “Frankie” Molinari was first matched up against a resurgent Tiger Woods.
    • PGA TOUR’s 2018/2019 FedExCup Season kicks off at the Safeway Open in Napa, Calif. Golf Channel is the exclusive home to the next nine PGA TOUR events, leading up to NBC Sports’ coverage of Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge in December.
    • UL International Crown featuring 32 LPGA Tour stars in primetime from golf-crazed South Korea as they represent their countries in this eight-team, match play event. USA is defending their 2016 crown.
  • October’s East Lake Cup, College Golf’s Marquee Fall Event: Mon., Oct 29-Wed., Oct 31
    • The 2018 NCAA Championships’ semi-final men’s and women’s teams square off again at East Lake Golf Club. Women’s: Reigning NCAA National Champions Univ. of Arizona, Alabama, Stanford and USC, defending East Lake Cup champions. Men’s: Reigning NCAA Champions Oklahoma St., Alabama, Auburn and Duke.
  • PGA TOUR Champions, LPGA Tour and European Tour Wrap Season-Long Races:
    • PGA TOUR Champions: Charles Schwab Cup Championship, Phoenix, Nov. 8-11
    • LPGA Tour: CME Group Tour Championship, Naples, Fla., Nov 15-18
    • European Tour: DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, Nov 15-18

Sources: TV: Nielsen, Live + Same Day US HH Rtgs. P2+ Avg 000’s and P2+ reach with 6-minute qualifier. Digital: Adobe Site Catalyst. Details available.

 

ABOUT GOLF CHANNEL

Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Serving the most-affluent audience in all of television, Golf Channel – co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of NBC Sports Group – is available to nearly 500 million viewers in more than 80 countries and nine languages around the world. Golf Channel features more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, including tournament action from the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, The Open, Olympics, and Ryder Cup, as well as high-quality news, instruction and original programming. Delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Digital and the NBC Sports App, powered by Playmaker Media. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital and lifestyle services including Golf Channel Mobile, a comprehensive app covering golf’s latest headlines, scores and analysis; GolfNow, the world’s largest online tee time booking platform and golf course technology partner, which includes the GolfNow Mobile App, featuring on-course GPS tracking, in-round scoring and game tracking; Revolution Golf, the largest direct-to-consumer digital platform in golf ; GolfAdvisor.com, the world’s largest golf course ratings and review resource for golfers, by golfers; a North American network of Golf Channel Academy instructional facilities; and Golf Channel Am Tour, the world’s largest amateur golf tour; and as the Official Media Partner of St. Andrews Links, the Home of Golf.

 

-NBC Sports Group-

Golf Channel Tournament Airtimes and Notes (Oct. 3-7): UL International Crown, Safeway Open, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

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Women’s Golf Takes Center Stage in Primetime This Week with the UL International Crown Biennial Match-Play Competition

Mickelson Headlines Field as the 2018-19 PGA TOUR Season Kicks Off at the Safeway Open

European Tour Returns to the Home of Golf for Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 3, 2018) – Women’s golf will take center stage starting tonight in primetime with the UL International Crown biennial match play competition, featuring 32 players representing eight countries battling to be crowned the best women’s golf nation. The 2018-19 PGA TOUR wraparound season begins this week in Napa, Calif., with the Safeway Open, where Phil Mickelson headlines the field. The European Tour returns to the Home of Golf this week with the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, taking place at the Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

 

LPGA TOUR

UL International Crown

Dates: Oct. 3-6

Venue: Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, Incheon, South Korea

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Wednesday     8 p.m.-3 a.m. (Live) / Noon-4:30 p.m. (Thursday replay)

Thursday         9 p.m.-3 a.m. (Live) / Noon-5 p.m. (Friday replay)

Friday              9 p.m.-3 a.m. (Live) / Noon-5 p.m. (Saturday replay)

Saturday          9 p.m.-3 a.m. (Live) / 12:30- 5 p.m. (Sunday replay)

Golf Central Coverage on Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):

Wednesday     7:30-8 p.m. (Live)

Thursday         8:30-9 p.m. (Live)

Friday              8:30-9 p.m. (Live)

Saturday          8:30-9 p.m. (Live)

Broadcast Notes:

Eight Countries, 32 Players represented: The UL International Crown will feature eight countries competing in four days of head-to-head competition: Australia, Chinese Taipei, England, Japan, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Thailand and the United States. Four players will represent each country in the competition, who qualified based on the Rolex Women’s Rankings at the conclusion of the 2018 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Countries and Players:

No. 1 Republic of Korea – Sung Hyun Park, So Yeon Ryu, In-Kyung Kim, In Gee Chun
No. 2 United States – Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda, Cristie Kerr, Michelle Wie
No. 3 Japan – Nasa Hataoka, Misuzu Narita, Mamiko Higa, Ayako Uehara
No. 4 England – Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Bronte Law
No. 5 Australia – Minjee Lee, Katherine Kirk, Sarah Jane Smith, Su Oh
No. 6 Thailand – Ariya Jutanugarn, Moriya Jutanugarn, Pornanong Phatlum, Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong
No. 7 Sweden – Anna Nordqvist, Pernilla Lindberg, Madelene Sagstrom, Caroline Hedwall
No. 8 Chinese Taipei – Teresa Lu, Wei-Ling Hsu, Phoebe Yao, Candie Kung

United States defends: The United States (Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis, Gerina Piller and Cristie Kerr) captured the 2016 UL International Crown at the Merit Club outside of Chicago.

Expanded Social Media Coverage: Golf Channel’s social media host Alexandra O’Laughlin will be contributing on-site throughout the week in South Korea for Golf Channel’s social media platforms.

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:

Host: Mike Ritz

Play-by-Play: Tom Abbott / Peter Donegan

Analysts: Karen Stupples / Kate Burton

Tower: Alison Whitaker

On-Course: Kay Cockerill, Jerry Foltz, Dom Boulet

 

PGA TOUR

Safeway Open

Dates: Oct. 4-7

Venue: Silverado Resort & Spa (North Course), Napa, Calif.

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Thursday         5:30-8:30 p.m. (Live) / 3-5 a.m. (Replay)

Friday              5:30-8:30 p.m. (Live) / 3-5 a.m. (Replay)

Saturday          5:30-8:30 p.m. (Live) / 3-6 a.m. (Replay)

Sunday            5:30-8:30 p.m. (Live) / 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (Replay)

Golf Central Coverage on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Thursday         4:30-5:30 p.m. (Live)

Friday              5-5:30 p.m. (Live

Saturday          5-5:30 p.m. (Live)

Sunday            5-5:30 p.m. (Live)

Broadcast Notes:

2018-19 PGA TOUR season kicks off: This week marks the first of 46 official events during the 2018-19 PGA TOUR season, with eight of those events being played in 2018.

Steele defends: Brendan Steele defeated Tony Finau in 2017 by two strokes to win back-to-back titles at the Safeway Open.

Headlining the field: Phil Mickelson, Patrick Cantlay, Fred Couples, Russell Knox, Anirban Lahiri, Hunter Mahan, Maverick McNealy, Mark Mulder, Patrick Rodgers, Sam Saunders, Brandt Snedeker, Brendan Steele, Peter Uihein, Danny Willett.

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:

Play-by-Play: Terry Gannon

Analyst: Curt Byrum

Tower: Matt Gogel / Steve Sands

On-Course: Roger Maltbie / Craig Perks

Interviews: George Savaricas

 

EUROPEAN TOUR

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Dates: Oct. 4-7

Venue: Old Course at St. Andrews; Carnoustie Golf Links; Kingsbarns Golf Links, Scotland, United Kingdom

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Thursday         8 a.m.-Noon (Live)

Friday              8 a.m.-Noon (Live)

Saturday          8 a.m.-Noon (Live)

Sunday            7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Live)

Broadcast Notes:

Event format: 168 professionals and 168 amateurs pair up as two-man teams, playing one round each at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. A 54-hole cut will take place with the low 60 professionals (and ties) and the low 20 teams advancing to compete in a final round at St. Andrews.

Hatton defends: Tyrrell Hatton defeated Ross Fisher by three strokes to successfully defend his title in 2017.

Headlining the field: Zac Blair, Ernie Els, Tony Finau, Tommy Fleetwood, Padraig Harrington, Tyrrell Hatton, Trevor Immelman, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Martin Kaymer, Brooks Koepka, Chase Koepka, Matt Kucher, Paul McGinley, Thorbjorn Olesen, Louis Oosthuizen, Thomas Pieters, Brandon Stone, Norman Xiong.

Notable amateurs in the field: Hugh Grant, Ronan Keating, Wladimir Klitschko, Huey Lewis, Tico Torres

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:

Play by Play: Dougie Donnelly

Analyst: Ken Brown / Mark James

Tower: Sam Torrance

On-Course: Jay Townsend

-NBC Sports Group-

NBC Sports Group to Air 30 Live Hours of Ryder Cup Coverage Friday-Sunday From First Tee Shot to Final Putt

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PGA TOUR Champions in Pebble Beach for the Pure Insurance Championship, Featuring Junior Golfers Representing The First Tee Chapters Throughout the U.S.

 

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2018) – Golf Channel and NBC will combine for 30 hours of live tournament coverage of the 42nd Ryder Cup Friday-Sunday, the biennial competition featuring the top professional golfers representing the United States and Europe. Live coverage from Le Golf National outside of Paris will span from Friday morning’s opening tee shot just after 2 a.m. ET through the clinching point on Sunday. The United States will look to retain the Ryder Cup after defeating Europe in 2016 (17-11) and aim to win for the first time on European soil in 25 years, since 1993. The PGA TOUR Champions will be at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the Pure Insurance Championship, where junior golfers representing The First Tee chapters from throughout the country will compete alongside the PGA TOUR Champions professionals.

 

PGA OF AMERICA

42ND Ryder Cup

Dates: Sept. 28-30

Venue: Le Golf National (Albatross Course), Paris, France

 

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel / NBC (Eastern):

Friday              2 a.m.-1 p.m. (Live, Golf Channel) / 8 p.m.-Midnight (Replay, Golf Channel)

Saturday          2-3 a.m. (Live, Golf Channel) / 3 a.m.-1 p.m. (Live, NBC) / 8 p.m.-Midnight (Replay, Golf Channel)

Sunday            6 a.m.-1 p.m. (Live, NBC) / 8 p.m.-Midnight (Replay, Golf Channel)

 

Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup on Golf Channel (Eastern)

Friday              Midnight-2 a.m. / 1-3 p.m.

Saturday          Midnight-2 a.m. / 1-3 p.m.

Sunday            4-6 a.m. / 1-3 p.m.

 

Broadcast Notes:

30 hours of live tournament coverage on Golf Channel, NBC: Golf Channel and NBC will combine for nearly 30 hours of its Emmy-nominated live event coverage, spanning from Friday morning’s opening tee shot just after 2 a.m. ET through the clinching point on Sunday.

Golf Central’s Live From the Ryder Cup Wraparound News Coverage: Leading into and following live tournament coverage, Golf Channel’s team of news reporters and analysts will provide comprehensive wraparound news coverage from both on-site in France and from Golf Channel’s worldwide headquarters in Orlando.

Defending Champion: The United States are the reigning Ryder Cup champions, having defeated Europe 17-11 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota in 2016.

United States Team: Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson and Tiger Woods.

European Team: Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Ian Poulter, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson

Golf Channel/NBC Sports Broadcast Team:

Play by Play: Terry Gannon, Dan Hicks

Analysts: Nick Faldo, Justin Leonard, Johnny Miller

Tower: Tom Abbott, Curt Byrum, Peter Jacobsen, Gary Koch

On-Course: Notah Begay, David Feherty, Roger Maltbie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, Mark Rolfing

Interviews: Steve Sands, Jimmy Roberts

News reports: Tim Rosaforte

 

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

Pure Insurance Championship

Dates: Sept. 28-30

Venue: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Poppy Hills Golf Course, Pebble Beach, Calif.

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Friday              5-8 p.m. (Live)

Saturday          5-8 p.m. (Live)

Sunday            5-8 p.m. (Live)

 

Broadcast Notes:

81 First Tee Participants Competing in the Field: The field at the Pure Insurance Championship will be comprised of professionals playing alongside 81 junior golfers representing The First Tee Chapters from throughout the country, along with 162 amateurs.

Headlining the field: Paul Broadhurst, Darren Clarke, John Cook, Fred Couples, Chris DiMarco, Hale Irwin, Jerry Kelly, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Scott McCarron, Colin Montgomerie, Mark O’Meara, Kenny Perry, Charlie Rymer, Vijay Singh and Tom Watson.

 

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team:

Play by Play: Whit Watson

Analyst: Lanny Wadkins

Tower: John Mahaffey

On-Course: Arron Oberholser, Billy Ray Brown

Interviews: Lisa Cornwell

 

-NBC Sports Group-

TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL ROUND BECOMES MOST-WATCHED FEDEXCUP PLAYOFFS TELECAST EVER AND MOST-WATCHED PGA TOUR TELECAST OF 2018

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Total Audience Delivery Eclipsed 7.8 Million Average Viewers,

Fueled by Most-Streamed NBC Sports Golf Round Outside of The Open

ORLANDO, Fla., (Sept. 25, 2018) – NBC Sports Group’s final round coverage of the TOUR Championship on Sunday (3:00-6:19 p.m. ET) garnered a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 7.8 million average viewers, as Tiger Woods claimed his 80th career victory, and his first in five years. The telecast’s TAD was up 212% vs. 2017 (2.5m). Television viewership posted 7.18 million average viewers, up 192% YOY (2.46m) and a 4.45 U.S. household rating, up 178% vs. 2017 (1.60). It also becomes the most-watched telecast in the history of the FedExCup Playoffs (2007-2018) and the most-watched PGA TOUR telecast in 2018 (excludes majors).

Coverage peaked from 5:45-6 p.m. ET with 10.84 million average viewers as Woods finished his TOUR Championship-winning round and Justin Rose sealed his season-long victory as the FedExCup champion. The peak viewership number trails only the Masters (16.84m) and PGA Championship (12.39m) in 2018. The extended coverage window (1:30-6:19 p.m. ET) drew 5.89 million average viewers and a 3.69 U.S. household rating to become the most-watched and highest-rated TOUR Championship telecast on record (1991-2018).

Sunday’s final round saw 18.4 million minutes streamed across NBC Sports Digital platforms (+561% year-over-year), and becomes NBC Sports’ most-streamed Sunday round (excluding majors) on record (2013-’18).

Sunday’s lead-in coverage on Golf Channel (11:54 a.m.-1:25 p.m. ET) also garnered a Total Audience Delivery of 829K average viewers and posted a .56 U.S. household rating, becoming the most-watched and highest rated lead-in telecast of the TOUR Championship ever (2007-2018). Golf Channel was the No. 2 Sports Network during this window and No. 7 out of all Nielsen-rated cable networks during that span.

This week, NBC Sports Group will offer weeklong coverage of the biennial Ryder Cup from Le Golf National outside of Paris. Live From the Ryder Cup continues all week on Golf Channel, surrounding nearly 30 hours of NBC Sports’ Emmy-nominated live event coverage, spanning from Friday morning’s opening tee shot just after 2 a.m. ET through the clinching point on Sunday. The United States will look to retain the Ryder Cup after defeating Europe in 2016 (17-11), and aim to win for the first time on European soil in 25 years, since 1993.

-NBC Sports Group-

TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL ROUND BECOMES HIGHEST-RATED FEDEXCUP PLAYOFFS TELECAST EVER AS TIGER WOODS WINS FOR FIRST TIME IN FIVE YEARS

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5.21 Overnight Rating Becomes Highest-Rated PGA TOUR Telecast of 2018

18.4 Million Minutes Streamed on Sunday (+561% YoY); Most-Streamed

NBC Sports Sunday Golf Round Ever (Excluding Majors) 

ORLANDO, Fla., (Sept. 24, 2018) – NBC Sports Group’s final round coverage of the TOUR Championship on Sunday (3:00-6:15 p.m. ET) earned a 5.21 Overnight rating, as Tiger Woods claimed his 80th career victory, and his first in five years. The telecast is up 206% vs. 2017 (1.70).  It also becomes the highest-rated telecast in the history of the FedExCup Playoffs (2007-’18) and the highest-rated PGA TOUR telecast in 2018 (excluding majors). Coverage peaked from 5:30-6p (7.19) as Woods finished his round and as Justin Rose was being crowned the FedExCup champion, only trailing the peaks for The Masters (11.03) and PGA Championship (8.28) in 2018. The extended coverage window (1:30-6:15 p.m. ET) posted at 4.35 Overnight rating, which is the highest-rated TOUR Championship telecast on record (2000-’18)

“Tiger Woods’ win at the TOUR Championship was an unforgettable event in golf,” said Mike McCarley, President, Golf, NBC Sports Group. “The massive gallery following Tiger up the 18th fairway was matched by record viewership across NBC Sports’ platforms. Golf is experiencing a surge in momentum with Tiger and the young stars of the Tiger-inspired generation atop leaderboards. We look forward to this momentum continuing this week at the Ryder Cup.”

Sunday’s Final Round saw 18.4 million minutes streamed across NBC Sports Digital platforms (+561% year-over-year), and becomes the most-streamed NBC Sports’ Sunday round (excluding majors) on record (2013-’18).

Sunday’s lead-in coverage on Golf Channel (Noon-1:30p) also earned a .74 Overnight rating to become the highest Sunday lead-in telecast of the TOUR Championship ever (2007-’18).

This week, NBC Sports Group will offer weeklong coverage of the biennial Ryder Cup from Le Golf National outside of Paris, beginning with the premiere of its latest Golf Films’ project, Famous 5, tonight at 9 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. The network’s Ryder Cup week programming will be led by nearly 30 hours of its Emmy-nominated live event coverage, spanning from Friday morning’s opening tee shot just after 2 a.m. ET through the clinching point on Sunday. The United States will look to retain the Ryder Cup after defeating Europe in 2016 (17-11), and aim to win for the first time on European soil in 25 years, since 1993.

-NBC Sports Group-

PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs Culminate at TOUR Championship; NBC Sports Group to Air More Than 20 Live Hours of Tournament Coverage

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Web.com Tour Championship to Award 25 PGA TOUR Cards for 2018-19 Season

PGA TOUR Champions in South Dakota for Inaugural Sanford International

Garcia Leads Field at European Tour’s Portugal Masters

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 19, 2018) – Thirty players convene in Atlanta this week for the culmination of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs, with the $10 million prize on the line at the TOUR Championship. NBC Sports will carry more than 20 live hours of tournament coverage, with the current top-five in the FedExCup standings guaranteed to hoist the FedExCup by week’s end with a victory at East Lake Golf Club: Bryson DeChambeau (No. 1), Justin Rose (No. 2), Tony Finau (No. 3), Dustin Johnson (No. 4) and Justin Thomas (No. 5). The Web.com Tour Championship is being staged in Florida, with the fourth and final event of the Web.com Tour Finals awarding 25 PGA TOUR cards on Sunday for the 2018-19 season. The PGA TOUR Champions stage the inaugural Sanford International in South Dakota, with a handful of World Golf Hall of Fame members headlining the field. Sergio Garcia leads the field at the Portugal Masters on the European Tour.

PGA TOUR

TOUR Championship

Dates: Sept. 20-23

Venue: East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Ga.

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Thursday 1-6 p.m. (Live) / 7 p.m.-Midnight (Replay)

Friday 1-6 p.m. (Live) / 8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. (Replay)

Saturday 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. (Replay)

Sunday Noon-1:30 p.m. (Live) / 7 p.m.-Midnight (Replay)

Tournament Airtimes on NBC (Eastern):

Saturday 2:30-6:30 p.m. (Live)

Sunday 1:30-6 p.m. (Live)

Golf Central Pre and Post Round Coverage on Golf Channel (Eastern)

Thursday 12:30-1 p.m. / 6-7 p.m.

Friday 12:30-1 p.m. / 8-8:30 p.m.

Saturday Noon-12:30 p.m. / 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Sunday 6-7 p.m.

Broadcast Notes:

More than 20 hours of live tournament coverage on Golf Channel, NBC: Golf Channel and NBC will combine for more than 20 hours of live tournament coverage from East Lake Golf Club. The field of 30 players features a top-five that automatically will win the FedExCup (and $10 million prize) with a victory this week: Bryson DeChambeau (No. 1), Justin Rose (No. 2), Tony Finau (No. 3), Dustin Johnson (No. 4) and Justin Thomas (No. 5).

Schauffele defends: Xander Schauffele finished one stroke ahead of Justin Thomas to earn his second PGA TOUR victory. Despite not winning the TOUR Championship, Thomas would claim the FedExCup.

Headlining the field: Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose, Tony Finau, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley, Brooks Koepka, Bubba Watson, Billy Horschel, Cameron Smith, Webb Simpson, Jason Day, Francesco Molinari, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Patrick Cantlay, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood, Tiger Woods, Aaron Wise, Kevin Na, Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm, Kyle Stanley, Paul Casey, Hideki Matsuyama, Gary Woodland, Marc Leishman and Patton Kizzire.

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:

Play by Play: Terry Gannon (Golf Channel) / Dan Hicks (NBC)

Analyst: Frank Nobilo (Golf Channel) / Johnny Miller (NBC)

Tower: Gary Koch / Peter Jacobsen / David Feherty

On-Course: Roger Maltbie / Notah Begay / Jim “Bones” Mackay

Interviews: Steve Sands / Todd Lewis (Golf Channel, Saturday-Sunday)

Essays: Jimmy Roberts

WEB.COM TOUR

Web.com Tour Championship

Dates: Sept. 20-23

Venue: Atlantic Beach Country Club, Atlantic Beach, Fla.

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Thursday 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Live)

Friday 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Live)

Saturday 2:30-4:30 p.m. (Live)

Sunday 1:30-4 p.m. (Live)

Broadcast Notes:

Web.com Tour Finals culminate with 25 PGA TOUR cards on the line: This week marks the conclusion of the four-event Web.com Tour Finals, with eligible players vying for 25 PGA TOUR cards for the 2018-19 season. Players in the field include the top-75 on the Web.com Tour money list and Nos. 126-200 in the final FedExCup regular season standings.

Headlining the field: Hunter Mahan, Maverick McNealy, Julian Suri, Lucas Glover, Peter Malnati, Robert Streb, Curtis Luck, Henrik Norlander, Ben Crane and Jonathan Byrd.

Tournament Broadcast Team:

Play by Play: Steve Burkowski

Analyst: Craig Perks

Tower: Phil Blackmar

On-Course: Gary Christian / Tripp Isenhour

Interviews: Chantel McCabe

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

Sanford International

Dates: Sept. 21-23

Venue: Minnehaha Country Club, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Friday 6-8 p.m. (Tape delay) / 4:15-6:15 p.m. (Streaming on Golf Channel Digital)

Saturday 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Live)

Sunday 4-6 p.m. (Live)

Broadcast Notes:

Inaugural event: The PGA TOUR Champions will unveil an inaugural event for the second time in as many weeks, with this week’s Sanford International in South Dakota.

Headlining the field: Paul Broadhurst, Vijay Singh, Scott McCarron, Darren Clarke, John Daly, Jay Haas, Tom Lehman, Steve Stricker, Colin Montgomerie, David Toms and Corey Pavin.

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:

Play by Play: John Swantek

Analyst: Lanny Wadkins

Tower: John Mahaffey

On Course: Billy Ray Brown / John Cook

EUROPEAN TOUR

Portugal Masters

Dates: Sept. 20-23

Venue: Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura, Portugal

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Thursday 6:30-8:30 a.m. (Live)

Friday 6:30-8:30 a.m. (Live)

Saturday 7:30 a.m.-Noon (Live)

Sunday 7:30 a.m.-Noon (Live)

Broadcast Notes:

Bjerregaard defends: Lucas Bjerregaard finished four strokes ahead of Marc Warren to earn his first European Tour victory.

Headlining the field: Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Angel Cabrera, Jose Maria Olazabal, Thorbjorn Olesen, Charl Schwartzel, Hunter Stewart and Danny Willett.

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:

Host: Scott Walker

Play by Play: Dougie Donnelly

Analyst: Jay Townsend / Tony Johnstone

On-Course: Ken Brown

-NBC Sports Group-