PGA Tour rights to CBS, NBC and The Golf Channel
The PGA Tour announced a new package of TV rights agreements running from 2007 through 2012, with the biggest change being that Comcast's The Golf Channel will become the PGA Tour's exclusive cable partner, replacing ESPN. ESPN's broadcast sister, ABC, also bowed out of the bidding, so the PGA Tour will have all of its events on two broadcast networks, CBS and NBC, and one cable net, The Golf Channel. "Over the long-term, we think this new two-network model is going to work extremely effectively for the Tour. It offers fans and sponsors the very significant benefits of better continuity and promotion," said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem of the new broadcast contracts. "Adding a very significant PGA Tour role for The Golf Channel further solidifies the presentation of our sport to the fans," Finchem said. "Further, the association with Comcast is especially appealing. The wide array of Comcast's promotional assets and its forward thinking in the media and communications industry substantially enhances the value of this new partnership," he added. And Finchem had kind words for the networks who are leaving: "We would like to acknowledge the contributions that ABC and ESPN have made to our sport over many years. They have been tremendous partners, and we thank them for their support and commitment." Exact financial details of the new agreements weren't disclosed, but Finchem said total prize money and financial benefits to players will increase by approximately 600 million over the term of the contracts - - a 35% increase over the previous six years.
Here's the synopsis of each of the three deals.
CBS agreement
CBS will expand its current role as the dominant carrier of PGA TOUR golf, increasing its annual event coverage from 16 to 19. It will have the majority of West Coast events, including the broadcast of the Buick Invitational in San Diego and the Nissan Open in the Los Angeles market. CBS will also have a strong run through the spring and summer months of FedEx Cup competition, including the World Golf Championships - Bridgestone Invitational, the PGA Championship and the first event of the four-event Championship Series, which culminates the FedEx Cup season.
"CBS is delighted that it has expanded its relationship with the PGA TOUR," said Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports. "We value our relationship with the TOUR very highly, and have tremendous confidence that the TOUR is well-positioned for continued growth and success. We're excited to play such a key role in that growth, and look forward to our expanded schedule. Continuing as the lead carrier of events was very important to us, because we believe the new season-long FedEx Cup competition will bring additional fans to the sport and add drama throughout the schedule.
NBC Agreement
NBC will add five new PGA TOUR events, doubling its current roster of five. In addition to continuing its weekend telecasts of THE PLAYERS Championship, now moving to an early May date, NBC becomes the network home of the final three weeks of the Championship Series. NBC has also secured the rights to two World Golf Championships, including the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in late February as a prelude to its traditional five-event March run. Newly added to the March run of events will be the World Golf Championships-CA Championship, to be played at Doral Golf Resort and Spa. (A separate announcement is also being issued about this new WGC event). NBC has also secured the rights to continue coverage of The Presidents Cup through the 2011 event.
"We knew going into our discussions with the TOUR that NBC wanted to become an even bigger player in TOUR programming," said Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports and Olympics. "We are delighted that we are doubling the number of TOUR events we'll cover. We'll be continuing our coverage of golf's Southern Swing in March and we are particularly excited to extend our relationship with THE PLAYERS Championship, which should have an even greater impact in its new May date. We're also excited about covering the final three weeks of the Championship Series, two World Golf Championships and The Presidents Cup, and the high level of competition and drama those events each embodies."
The Golf Channel agreement
The TOUR has formed a strategic, exclusive cable partnership with The Golf Channel. Under the agreement, The Golf Channel will provide early-round coverage of all TOUR official money events. In addition, The Golf Channel will provide full coverage of the first three events of the PGA TOUR FedEx Cup season (Mercedes Championships, Sony Open in Hawaii, and the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic), as well as the Fall Series events following THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola.
In addition to event coverage, the agreement with The Golf Channel provides for significant PGA TOUR promotion and branding. Also, TGC and the TOUR will work closely together to further increase distribution beyond the already significant 70 million homes and increase The Golf Channel's visibility and appeal to the TOUR's fan base. In order to fully accomplish these joint objectives, the agreement with The Golf Channel provides for a term of 15 years.
"These new agreements represent a huge step forward for The Golf Channel, and offer fans of PGA TOUR golf a consistent and quality home for a very significant amount of programming," said Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation. "The Golf Channel has had a great first 10 years, and this dynamic new long-term relationship will take it to the next level in the years to come. We look forward with significant enthusiasm to our expanded PGA TOUR partnership."
"Given The Golf Channel's core golf audience and ever-growing number of new viewers, developing a long-term, strategic partnership with the TOUR makes sense for both parties," said David Manougian, president of The Golf Channel. "Golf fans around the world know us as 'Golf's Home,' and we are looking forward to showcasing the excitement and drama the TOUR can deliver to our viewers week after week. Coupled with our exclusive commitments to the Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour, The Golf Channel will reinforce its strength as the best destination for golf on TV."
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