Six Past Ryder Cup Participants Highlight NBC Sports’ Broadcast Team;
Network’s Popular “Playing Through” Commercial Format Returns
Golf Films’ Famous 5 Premieres Tonight at 9 p.m. ET, Detailing
How Five European Golfers Collectively Reinvigorated the Ryder Cup
GUYANCOURT, France, (Sept. 24, 2018) – Tonight, NBC Sports Group will kick off its weeklong coverage of the Ryder Cup from Le Golf National outside of Paris, with the premiere of its latest Golf Films’ project, Famous 5, airing at 9 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. The network’s comprehensive approach surrounding the biennial international competition 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.
“Golf is experiencing tremendous momentum and NBC Sports is carrying this throughout comprehensive coverage of the Ryder Cup,” said Mike McCarley, president, Golf, NBC Sports. “The Ryder Cup is sui generis, bringing both pride and pressure for competitors who rarely compete as a team in front of raucous crowds – and we anticipate one of the most intense scenes ever in Paris. Our aim is to super-serve our audience from the intensity of the first tee to the pressure-packed deciding putt.”
SIX PAST RYDER CUP PARTICIPANTS LEAD NBC SPORTS’ BROADCAST TEAM:
Led by the deepest and most-experienced roster of analysts, hosts, reporters and personalities in the game, NBC Sports’ live competition and news coverage will feature six commentators having previously competed in the Ryder Cup. The group of analysts (Nick Faldo, David Feherty, Jim Gallagher Jr., Peter Jacobsen, Justin Leonard and Johnny Miller) collectively made 20 appearances as competitors, in addition to Faldo serving as Captain of the European team in 2008. Together they accumulated 38.5 points, led by Faldo’s Ryder Cup-record of 25 points. *Full broadcast teams outlined below*
“PLAYING THROUGH” RETURNS: Initially debuting at the 2016 Ryder Cup to enhance both the viewership and commercial experience, NBC Sports’ popular “Playing Through” split-screen commercial format returns for the Ryder Cup, to ensure viewers don’t miss key stretches of the action during commercial breaks.
GOLF CHANNEL’S COMPREHENSIVE WRAPAROUND NEWS COVERAGE: Called “the best 19th hole in television golf” by Golf Digest, Golf Central’s Live From the Ryder Cup platform will headline nearly 100 hours of comprehensive news coverage throughout the week. Morning Drive will complement the network’s news coverage through Thursday, leading up to the start of competition on Friday. Coverage also will incorporate a number of dedicated features to highlight the unique theater surrounding the event, including:
- United States’ 25-Year Drought on European Soil: It’s been 25 years since the American team has won the Ryder Cup outside of the United States, dating back to their victory at The Belfry in 1993. A close examination explores the factors contributing to the streak of defeat.
- McIlroy vs. Reed in 2016: A look back at the unforgettable match between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed at Hazeltine in 2016, led by entertaining emotional outbursts and constant shifts in momentum.
- Bubba’s Resurgence: Bubba Watson will make his fourth Ryder Cup appearance this week (as an automatic qualifier), thanks to his three PGA TOUR victories in 2018. The piece reflects on his standing this week, and how it’s a stark contrast to Hazeltine two years ago where he failed to earn a captain’s pick despite – at the time – being the No. 7 ranked player in the world.
- Complex Absence Ends for Casey: When Paul Casey tees it up as a member of the European team this week, it’ll mark his first appearance in the Ryder Cup in 10 years. The piece explores his complicated journey back to the biennial competition, and the circumstances that shaped his return.
- Captains’ Profiles: Bjorn & Furyk: Offering a closer look at the personalities of the men captaining the respective teams, Thomas Bjorn (Europe) and Jim Furyk (United States). The piece also details their collective history in the Ryder Cup.
GOLF FILMS’ FAMOUS 5 PREMIERES TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. ET: Premiering tonight at 9 p.m. ET, Golf Channel will showcase its latest Golf Films project, Famous 5, outlining how five European golfers – born within 11 months of one another – collectively helped revitalize the Ryder Cup. Famous 5 was described as “a raucous, impassioned struggle filled with compelling stories” by Golfweek and as “a Golden Era of European Golf” via The Comeback. The five (Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam) each were adorned with their own unique personality and style of play, but together, in many ways were responsible for injecting much-needed relevance into the (at the time) overwhelmingly one-sided Ryder Cup. Famous 5 visits each of their hometowns and explores their unique and non-traditional introductions to the game and ascensions to the pinnacle of European golf.
THE MEN IN BLAZERS RETURN TO SHINE SPOTLIGHT ON THE RYDER CUP: Continuing their contributions to the golf landscape during the game’s biggest weeks, NBC Sports’ critically-acclaimed The Men In Blazers – Roger Bennett and Michael Davies – return this week to provide Ryder Cup-focused digital content surrounding the competition. Elements are led by a face-to-face interview with United States captain Jim Furyk, who recently paid a visit to the duo’s Panic Room studio. Rog and Davo also offer to help differentiate Ryder Cup fans from the traditional golf public.
PAST RYDER CUP CAPTAINS CONVENE FOR ROUNDTABLE PREVIEW: Tonight at 11:30 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, four past Ryder Cup captains will take part in a roundtable discussion on a new episode of PGA TOUR Champions Learning Center. Darren Clarke, Davis Love III, Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin join host Vince Cellini to discuss a number of topics, including what has kept the United States from winning in Europe for the past 25 years and the impending impact of Tiger Woods’ return to the U.S. team this week. Montgomerie also expands upon his declaration earlier this year that the current roster is the best European Ryder Cup team ever assembled, and the group offer predictions for how the competition will play out come Sunday.
DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE: Golf Channel Digital will feature expanded coverage from its team of writers on-site at Le Golf National: Jay Coffin, Will Gray, Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner. Coverage also will include up-to-the-minute scoring updates, features, analysis and reaction to emerging storylines and photo galleries. Chantel McCabe, Brian Bateman and Tripp Isenhour will provide previews, analysis and news coverage via Golf Channel Digital, originating from Golf Channel’s world headquarters in Orlando, Fla., including “Instant Analysis” once matches get underway on Friday.
Golf Channel’s social media coverage will be highlighted by custom-content from on-site at Le Golf National. Social media influencer Conor Moore once again will offer his distinct impersonations, including spoofs depicting popular movie scenes through the eyes of Ryder Cup competitors. Golf Channel social media host Alexandra O’Laughlin also will provide unique content from on-site, and be joined by social media correspondent Nikki Bondura. O’Laughlin will highlight anticipation at the event early on in the week across Golf Channel’s social media platforms, while Bondura will host a 1st tee show on Facebook Live for Golf Channel leading up to each session of matches, showcasing the energy and excitement of the crowd while previewing the upcoming matches.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMING: Golf Channel will produce international Ryder Cup news programming from its Orlando World Headquarters in both Japanese and Mandarin, featuring reports and custom content throughout the week. These productions will complement the international distribution of Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup, which is distributed to markets within Golf Channel’s worldwide footprint of nearly 500 million households in more than 80 countries and nine languages around the world.
| NBC Sports Live Competition Broadcast Team | Tom Abbott, Notah Begay, Curt Byrum, Nick Faldo, David Feherty, Terry Gannon, Dan Hicks, Peter Jacobsen, Gary Koch, Justin Leonard, Jim “Bones” Mackay, Roger Maltbie, Johnny Miller, Jimmy Roberts, Mark Rolfing, Steve Sands |
| Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Broadcast Team | Cara Banks, Notah Begay, Steve Burkowski, Ryan Burr, Brandel Chamblee, Jaime Diaz, Nick Faldo, Jim Gallagher Jr., Justin Leonard, Rich Lerner, Todd Lewis, Frank Nobilo, Mark Rolfing, Tim Rosaforte, Ken Schofield |
| Golf Channel Digital | Jay Coffin, Will Gray, Rex Hoggard, Ryan Lavner |
| Social Media Contributors | Nikki Bondura, Conor Moore, Alexandra O’Laughlin |
NBC SPORTS GROUP 2018 RYDER CUP PROGRAMMING AIRTIMES (EASTERN):
Monday, Sept. 24
7-9:30 a.m. Morning Drive Golf Channel
9 p.m. Famous 5 Golf Channel
Tuesday, Sept. 25
6-10 a.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
10 a.m.-Noon Morning Drive Golf Channel
Noon-2 p.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
Wednesday, Sept. 26
6-10 a.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
10 a.m.-Noon Morning Drive Golf Channel
Noon-2 p.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
Thursday, Sept. 27
6-9 a.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
9-11 a.m. Morning Drive Golf Channel
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
Friday, Sept. 28
Midnight-2 a.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
2 a.m.-1 p.m. 2018 Ryder Cup – Day 1 Golf Channel
1-3 p.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
Saturday, Sept. 29
Midnight-2 a.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
2-3 a.m. 2018 Ryder Cup – Day 2 Golf Channel
3 a.m.-1 p.m. 2018 Ryder Cup – Day 2 NBC
1-3 p.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
Sunday, Sept. 30
4-6 a.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
6 a.m.-1 p.m. 2018 Ryder Cup – Final Day NBC
1-3 p.m. Golf Central Live From the Ryder Cup Golf Channel
-NBC Sports Group-