New TV deal with the PGA

[Golftool]

It looks like the major networks are only interested in the 4 majors and the Ryder Cup - they no longer want to broadcast the other tournaments on the PGA TOUR. (Not enough people watching!)

So - the PGA TOUR is going to start their own network in order to show these tournaments.

Sponsers will probably no longer back big money in the lesser tournaments.

Not sure if this will help the Canadian Open.

There is an article about it here:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Render&c=Article&cid=1136933412850&call_pageid=968332188492

[Just hit it]

Maybe the Golf channel will scoop up a few tourneys:eek:

[duffer_devon]

There is nothing in the article that suggests the creation of a PGA Tour channel is emminent. It only surmised or conjectured that it may happen one day.

Yes, ABC is out but CBS and NBC are still in the bidding process and will carry the bulk of tournaments in 2007 and beyond.

The money will not be close to what the Tour got last time and purses will be down in the years to come but don't kid yourself, it will still be on the networks.

The T.V. deal is done, you can read the article here:

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/ESPNSports/story?id=1494992

The Golf channel picked up the "Quest for the card" events, the ones after the Tour Championship, plus the Mercedes and Sony Open.

Dollar amounts were not listed but the article says purses will remain unchanged from this year.

[Golftool]

There is nothing in the article that suggests the creation of a PGA Tour channel is emminent. It only surmised or conjectured that it may happen one day.

Yes, ABC is out but CBS and NBC are still in the bidding process and will carry the bulk of tournaments in 2007 and beyond.

The money will not be close to what the Tour got last time and purses will be down in the years to come but don't kid yourself, it will still be on the networks.Even with big money maker like the NFL?

Its been long reported that the season is too long and if the big names (winners?) on tour dont show for tournaments like last weeks (Phil,Goosen & Harrington & Woods) that does nothing to lure in potential viewers.

We all know March madness (NCAA) is huge in the US and people aren't likely to watch golf (still not quite in season at that time) - so i really dont blame the networks. It seems thats why they moved the Players Championship from March to May.

It should be a requirement that PGA tour players play the Canadian Open at least once in a three year span. Why the hell can't the PGA make the C.O. a bigger event on the tour?

I hope sponsor money goes from some of the lesser tournaments so guys will be drawn moreso to the C.O. & that the C.O. sponsors cough up more dough to lure them!

[sharkhark]

Hey guys, according to golf channel.

It was announced on the golf channel today that they bought the rights to all money events broadcast pga events in 2007. They are the exclusive cable carrier.

Kinda think the golf channel picture (especially on my high def tv) looks really bad, but other than that good news, i guess. :$

[Grass Roots Tour]

I hated ABC coverage anyhow. Its their loss.
What else are you gonna air from 3 to 6pm Sat and Sun thats gonna bring better ratings?

What happened to all those studies that showed how many peeps were now watching golf? I guess thats only true if TW is in the field. :confused:

The networks need to qualify the viewership and ignore the numbers of viewers. Does it matter if non-golfers are watching network coverage to potential advertisers?
I guess, if you're General Motors it doesnt matter if the viewer is a golfer or not.
Does adding more money to the purse actually draw the top tour stars? I doubt it, they're rich already.

I dont have the answer (besides forcing the players to make an appearence at every tour stop over a five year span) but I'd hate to see golf coverage become pay per view. :eek: :nono: :hush: :help:

[sharkhark]

Funny thing was watching golf channel today, the scrolling, I swear, honest! Said Breaking news Golf channel signs agreement with PGA to be the sole cable broadcaster of PGA starting 2007, Full details at 7pm on golf central.


Watch golf central and realize, mostly they got first two days of tourneys, plus 15 full events etc.
They got alot, however the scroll was a little misleading. Made it sound like masters, every event etc was theirs.

And I still say their broadcast standards are poor.
When I watch a euro broadcast picture and camera shot angles are lacking, very soft focused, and few angles.
I find the pga on networks is usually well produced.
The golf channel i.e. watching nationwide tour has that same euro soft focus poor quality.
I hope GC improves on these regards. Cheers, Shark.:$

[Thimble]

hmmm... maybe they'll extend the majors to 8 rounds over 2 weeks... wouldn't that be somethin'? scores'd get reset to even every 2 rounds of elimination...

[Just hit it]

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=15101&select=18348

Link to golf channel article. All said, at least they won't cut the coverage for some other event. How many time has a network left an 18th hole or playoff for something else.

Good for the Golf Channel.:D

[Big Shooter]

Okay, I want everyone to say a prayer that Mike Turico DOESN'T sign-on with The Golf Channel (Arnie, don't do it!)....stay at ABC, Mike...fade to obscure!

Now if only Rod Black could sign with ABC, TV Golf fans could rejoice!!

[EDSGolf]

And I still say their broadcast standards are poor.
When I watch a euro broadcast picture and camera shot angles are lacking, very soft focused, and few angles.
I find the pga on networks is usually well produced.
The golf channel i.e. watching nationwide tour has that same euro soft focus poor quality.
I hope GC improves on these regards. Cheers, Shark.:$
I agree, they will have to improve 100% if they want to keep viewers.

[Bellyhungry]

I want to echo a lot of people's sentiments here....namely, the production value of TGC's coverage is rather poor compared to the major networks. I certainly hope the brass will sign the checks to boost up the overall quality of their broadcasts. Otherwise, they might drive even more casual fans away.

I believe TGC will sign on bigger names to be in the booths. A lot of the current crop of TGC announcers will probably be replaced. In addition to the ABC people, a lot of the second tier broadcasters on ESPN and USA Network will be looking for works now that they no longer have the first two rounds.

What about the impact on LPGA and Senior (sorry, Champions) Tour broadcast? TGC used to show them from Thursday through Sunday. I think the tour commisioners for these two tours are probably scrambling to cut some sort of deal with the networks.

LPGA probably were thinking that they were sitting on a gold mine with the incoming of Wie, Pressel, and Creamer. However, now they might have to fight with PGA for air time.

Just my random thoughts....

[corchard]

How about TGC2? TGC3... You could monopolize golf in your own privite little network by showing all of the tours. Then there would be something for everyone. Each one could have it's own Style. LPGA and Amature on TGC2 (pinks and baby Blues), seniors (sorry Champions) and buy.com (or whatever it is now) on TGC3 (greys and dark blues) and so on. I'll bet there is even a market for TGC69 (sort of black latex and steel). Each could have it's own Big Break.

Problem is which channel would the Canadian Open Fall upon.

[laxgolf]

IMO, this can only mean that I don't have to watch as many TGC infomercials any more. You can only watch the Inside Approach infomercial so many times before you finally pull the trigger on one.

It only makes sense that the Golf Channel carries live PGA events. I'm sure Arnold Palmer will ensure that their on air talent is more than adequate.

[hogannut]

So ALL of the tournaments outside of the majors are now on the Golf Channel? WOW...good news for the GC. Can't really understand how the numbers would be that low the none of the networks want to cover them. This could mean lower purses for the regular events. I certainly hope this does not mean the top guns are going to reduce their schedules even more. I have made this comment before and the fact the $ is so large these days the players aren't inspired to play week in and week out. I think this is bad for golf. It seems the bridge between the top 25 and the rest will continue to widen which has a snowball effect on the week to week tournaments. The only top gun who seems interested in playing a full schedule is Vijay and for that I have a lot of respect for him.

GC will be fine in their coverage and I'm quite happy as there are only a handful of commentators on the other networks I like. Thank God I only have to tolerate Gary McCord one tournament a year now. Maybe Mc Cord can play more now and possibly justify why he is there in the first place, which is to give insightful comment on what it is like to play and win on the PGA. At least Johnny Miller and Curtis Strange have some personal success playing and therfore can offer relevant insight instead of blabbing on and annoying everyone. Sorry to blab on!!

[laxgolf]

So ALL of the tournaments outside of the majors are now on the Golf Channel? WOW...good news for the GC. Can't really understand how the numbers would be that low the none of the networks want to cover them. This could mean lower purses for the regular events. I certainly hope this does not mean the top guns are going to reduce their schedules even more. I have made this comment before and the fact the $ is so large these days the players aren't inspired to play week in and week out. I think this is bad for golf. It seems the bridge between the top 25 and the rest will continue to widen which has a snowball effect on the week to week tournaments. The only top gun who seems interested in playing a full schedule is Vijay and for that I have a lot of respect for him.

GC will be fine in their coverage and I'm quite happy as there are only a handful of commentators on the other networks I like. Thank God I only have to tolerate Gary McCord one tournament a year now. Maybe Mc Cord can play more now and possibly justify why he is there in the first place, which is to give insightful comment on what it is like to play and win on the PGA. At least Johnny Miller and Curtis Strange have some personal success playing and therfore can offer relevant insight instead of blabbing on and annoying everyone. Sorry to blab on!!
From my unsderstanding, TGC will air the thursday/friday rounds and the major networks will cover the weekend rounds. The Majors/Ryder Cup in their entirety will be covered by the networks.

At least that's what I understand.

[hogannut]

That makes more sense....thanks for the info and I guess when CBS has weekend coverage I'll have to hit my mute button for Mc Cord. Don't mean to offend any of the Gary Mc Cord fans out there I just find him way to hyper to announce golf, you don't ALWAYS have to make a comment you know. He talks more than the European announcers for soccer, this is the last comment I will make on this.