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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-

WOMEN’S GOLF TAKES CENTER STAGE IN PRIMETIME WITH THE UL INTERNATIONAL CROWN BIENNIAL MATCH-PLAY COMPETITION FROM KOREA

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Thirty-Two Players Representing Eight Countries to Determine Best Women’s Golf Nation;

Airing Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 3-6, Live in Primetime on Golf Channel

ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 2, 2018) –Women’s golf will take center stage this week 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. Golf Channel will air 25 hours of live coverage in primetime Wednesday-Sunday, Oct. 3-6, from Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, home to the 2015 Presidents Cup.

“This past weekend at the Ryder Cup, the sports world saw the intensity of match-play and what it means to represent your team and country in global golf competition,” said Molly Solomon, Golf Channel executive producer. “This week in South Korea, the world’s best female players will get the same chance at the UL International Crown, airing in primetime. We can’t wait to watch match-play again at the highest level.”

EIGHT COUNTRIES REPRESENTED: The UL International Crown, last contested in 2016 at the Merit Club outside of Chicago with the United States claiming the 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.

TEAMS 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

The eight countries are split into two pools and will compete in three days of four-ball matches with the top two countries from each pool and one wild card country advancing to a final day of singles matches.

25 HOURS LIVE IN PRIMETIME: Golf Channel will dedicate 25 hours of live, primetime coverage of the matches, from the first tee-shot to the final putt, Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 3-6. Live television coverage will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, followed by 9 p.m. ET Thursday-Saturday. Tom Abbott and Karen Stupples will rotate with Peter Donegan and Kate Burton in anchoring coverage from the broadcast booth. Alison Whitaker will be a tower announcer, with Kay Cockerill, Jerry Foltz and Dom Boulet reporting from the course. Lisa Cornwell will conduct interviews and report for Golf Central.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITAL COVERAGE: The UL International Crown will be streamed live on Golf Channel Digital, and the Golf Channel app. Streaming coverage will begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday – featuring one hour of bonus coverage Thursday and Friday prior to television coverage – and starting at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday. Golf Channel Digital also will have comprehensive editorial coverage of the UL International Crown with columns and daily blogs, led by GolfChannel.com senior writer Randall Mell.

Golf Channel’s social media platforms – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – also will provide expanded social media coverage, with social media host Alexandra O’Laughlin contributing on-site throughout the week in South Korea.

UL International Crown Airtimes (all times Eastern)

Wednesday, Oct. 3 Day 1 – Four-ball Matches 8 p.m.-3 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 4 Day 2 – Four-ball Matches 9 p.m.-3 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 5 Day 3 – Four-ball Matches 9 p.m.-3 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 6 Day 4 – Singles Matches 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

 

-NBC Sports Group-

NBC SPORTS’ RYDER CUP FINAL DAY COVERAGE FROM PARIS UP 23% VS. 2014 FROM SCOTLAND

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NBC Sports’ Final Day Streaming Up 697% vs. 2014, Up 58% vs. 2016

PARIS, (Oct 1, 2018) – NBC Sports’ coverage of the Ryder Cup from Le Golf National outside Paris was up all three days vs. 2014 in Scotland, the last year the Ryder Cup was staged in Europe. NBC’s final day coverage on Sunday posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 2.71 million average viewers across a 5.5-hour telecast (7 a.m.-12:30 pm ET), up 23% vs. 2014 (2.21m, Gleneagles, Scotland). Streaming of the Ryder Cup Final Day garnered 11.1 million minutes streamed, up 697% from 2014 (1.4m) and 58% vs. 2016 (8.1m, Hazeltine National Golf Club, Minneapolis). Europe won the Ryder Cup for the seventh time in ten events and continued their streak of winning in Europe dating back to 1993.

“The crowds in Paris were not the only passionate fans of the Ryder Cup with viewership in the U.S. posting gains everyday compared to four years ago in Scotland,” said Mike McCarley, president, Golf, NBC Sports. “Despite the overnight and morning hours, both TV and streaming coverage saw significant gains versus 2014, which was the first year Golf Channel covered the Ryder Cup as part of NBC Sports.”

Additional Final Day highlights include:

  • Television viewership garnered 2.67 million average viewers, up 21% vs. 2014 (2.20m), and posted a 1.83 U.S. household rating.
  • Television viewership peaked at 4.03 million average viewers from 10:15-10:30 a.m. ET. Team Europe clinched the Ryder Cup at approximately 11 a.m. ET.


NBC SPORTS’ DAY TWO COVERAGE:

NBC Sports’ Day Two coverage of the Ryder Cup on Saturday (7 a.m. – 12:24 p.m. ET) posted a TAD of 2.31 million average viewers across a nearly 5.5-hour telecast, up 21% vs. 2014 (1.91m). NBC’s average viewership posted 2.27 million average viewers, up 19% vs. 2014 (1.91m). Streaming garnered 15.7 million minutes, up 552% vs. 2014 (2.4m)

Additional Day Two highlights include:

  • Television viewership garnered 2.27 million average viewers, up 19% vs. 2014 (1.91m), and posted a 1.57 U.S. household rating.
  • Television viewership peaked at 2.99 million average viewers from 11:30-11:45 a.m. ET.

 

GOLF CHANNEL’S DAY ONE COVERAGE:

Golf Channel’s Day One coverage of the Ryder Cup on Friday (2:00 a.m. – 12:19 p.m. ET) posted a TAD of 765k average viewers across a 10+ hour telecast, up 12% vs. 2014 (685k). Golf Channel’s average viewership posted 732k persons 2+, up 9% vs. 2014 (673k). Streaming garnered 20.6 million minutes, up 160% vs. 2014 (7.9m).

Additional Day One highlights include:

  • Viewership peaked with 1.06 million average viewers from 9:15-9:30 a.m. ET.
  • From 2-6 a.m. ET, Golf Channel posted its best average viewership ever in this time period (489k avg. viewers).

Source: Nielsen, Live + Same Day US HH Rtgs and P2+ Avg 000’s, and Adobe Site Catalyst. Details available.

-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-

NBC SPORTS GROUP’S COVERAGE OF 42ND RYDER CUP FROM PARIS LED BY NEARLY 30 LIVE HOURS FROM FIRST TEE SHOT TO FINAL PUTT

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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-

GOLFNOW EXPANDS INTO EUROPE, NOW OFFERING TEE TIMES IN FRANCE

By

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 21, 2018) – GolfNow today announced its expansion into France – its first entree into continental Europe – via agreements with two of the country’s leading multi-course management companies. The arrangement provides golfers residing throughout GolfNow’s footprint – including the U.S., U.K., Ireland and Australia – with the ability to book tee times on GolfNow at nearly 50 golf courses throughout France.

Coinciding with the growing anticipation of the 2018 Ryder Cup being contested next week at Le Golf National golf course outside of Paris, GolfNow’s agreements with Open Golf Club and UGOLF will showcase a collection of courses throughout France, which is considered to be one of the best countries in Europe to play golf due to its extensive variety of courses and year-round playing conditions. Tee times will be promoted across multiple GolfNow distribution platforms, depending on golfers’ geographic locations: GolfNow (U.S., U.K. and Ireland), Teeofftimes by GolfNow (U.K. and Ireland) and Qantas Golf Club by GolfNow (Australia).

“We’ve been planning this day for some time and are excited about our expansion into France through great partnerships with Open Golf Club and UGOLF,” said Brian Smith, general manager, GolfNow & Emerging Businesses International. “We anticipate that U.S. golfers will be motivated to play in France because of what they see whilst watching the Ryder Cup. Golfers worldwide can easily book tee times via GolfNow for a future trip, and because the U.K. and Ireland remain the number-one source of all golf tourism in France, GolfNow and Teeofftimes.co.uk now can be part of any golfer’s travel planning.”

“Open Golf Club is very happy to welcome GolfNow into France,” said Laurent Boissonnas, CEO, Open Golf Club. “As a leading high-end golf operator, we offer a portfolio of top quality courses, including three in the top-50 on the European continent. In addition to its famous ‘art de vivre,’ France offers a unique variety of golf courses and we are proud to give GolfNow customers the opportunity to discover them.”

“UGOLF is proud to join the GolfNow marketplace and, thus, offering special access to its French golf courses to international golfers,” said Pierre-André Uhlen, Director General, UGOLF. “Customer satisfaction is a UGOLF priority and we strive to offer our golfers the best services and technology at the forefront of innovation.”

Among the more than 600 golf courses throughout France, among the top-rated Open Golf Club courses that are making tee times available via GolfNow and TeeOffTimes are:

  • Golf des Yvelines – just 35 miles west of Paris, in the heart of the Île-de-France region and nearby Ryder Cup host Le National Golf, these two courses are nestled in a natural environment, bordering the forest of Rambouillet.
  • Le Touquet Golf Resort – An award-winning 45-hole golf destination, with its La Mer (The Sea) course among continental Europe’s Top 35 and ranked first in France.
  • Golf d’Hardelot – Home to Les Pins (The Pines), this 36-hole club is a top French golf destination located inside a lush forest and one of the most beautiful golfing sites in Europe.

Among the top courses available on GolfNow and featured within the UGOLF portfolio are:

  • Golf de Courson – host of the French Open qualifiers for 12 years, this property offers two distinct, 18-hole designs of varying difficulty that were crafted by architect Robert von Hagge.
  • Golf du Château de Cely – located less than 50 miles south of Paris on the edge of the Fountainebleau Forest, this recently renovated gem has been transformed.
  • Château de Rochefort – Designed by famous British architect Fred Hawtree, this par 71 is surrounded by the natural beauty of a French forest in Yvelines.

Reviews about golf courses located throughout France, including many that now can be booked via GolfNow, can be found at Golf Advisor, which currently features more than 700,000 golf course reviews of more than 15,000 golf courses around the world.

About GolfNow

GolfNow is an innovative technology company specializing in golf-related products and services that is creating frictionless ways for golfers and golf courses to better connect. GolfNow operates the largest online tee-time marketplace in the world, offering more than 3.5 million registered golfers a variety of ways to stay connected to their favorite courses and the ability to easily book tee times online and via mobile devices any time of day. With offices in Orlando, Fla., and Belfast, Northern Ireland, GolfNow also provides technology, support and marketing services to nearly 8,000 golf courses in 24 countries around the world. GolfNow is included in the suite of digital businesses owned by NBC Sports and managed by Golf Channel, which is available to more than 500 million viewers worldwide. For more information, go to GolfNow Business.

About Open Golf Club

Open Golf Club is the first high-end French golf management company. Founded in 1987, it provides management services to 55 internationally renowned golf courses in Europe, including the full management of 15 courses in France and Belgium, and a network of partners of 40 clubs in six countries, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. Open Golf Club partnered with the French Golf Federation in hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup 2018 at Le Golf National.

About UGOLF

UGOLF is the leader in French golf course management, currently operating 50 golf courses in France and employing 700 people. Nearly 20,000 subscribers and 27,000 licensees trust UGOLF every year for golf enjoyment. UGOLF Academy trains 3,500 new golfers each year. Through its subsidiary, LeClub Golf, UGOLF operates a network of more than 140 golf courses in France, more than 300 golf courses in Europe and approximately 700 courses around the world. UGOLF is a subsidiary of Duval Group, a family-owned company operating in real estate, tourism and golf management.

-NBC Sports-

2016 RYDER CUP CAPTAINS DAVIS LOVE III AND DARREN CLARKE JOIN DAVID FEHERTY FOR A SPECIAL FEHERY LIVE, TUESDAY, SEPT. 29 at 9 P.M. ET

By

Morning Drive On-Site Tuesday at Hazeltine National Golf Club for Ryder Cup One-Year-Out Press Conference With Love and Clarke, Along With Special Guests

Golf Central Special: Ryder Cup – One Year to Go, Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 28, 2015) – Golf Channel will celebrate one-year-out from the 2016 Ryder Cup on Tuesday with comprehensive coverage from Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., – site of the Ryder Cup – featuring an expanded Morning Drive from 7-11 a.m. ET, followed by a Golf Central special at 6:30 p.m. ET and a Feherty Live primetime special at 9 p.m. ET from Minneapolis with U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III and European Captain Darren Clarke.

Tuesday from 7-11 a.m. ET, Damon Hack will report on-site at Hazeltine National for Morning Drive, which will include guests from the PGA of America, members of the national golf media, Minnesota Vikings players Kyle Rudolph and Chad Greenway, and Ryder Cup captains Clarke and Love during the four-hour expanded show. The live captains’ press conference is scheduled to air during the 10 a.m. ET hour. Golf Central will air a half-hour special Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET, featuring sit down interviews with the two captains. The show also will take a look back to the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, David Feherty – one of the most recognizable and unique personalities in sports and newly announced NBC Sports golf analyst – will unleash his wit and unconventional interview style that has earned his show critical acclaim when he hosts a special Feherty Live stage show from the historic Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, Minn. Feherty Live – Countdown to the Ryder Cup, will feature conversations with Clarke and Love. Viewers also will get a behind the scenes preview of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National.               

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 in more than 200 million homes in 84 countries and 13 languages around the world. 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 content. Golf Channel’s digital platforms, headed by GolfChannel.com, are the leading golf destinations on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf. Fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Live Extra and select programming is simulcast via SiriusXM’s PGA TOUR Radio. 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; GolfAdvisor.com, a golf course ratings and review portal 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.

-NBC Sports Group-