I don’t know if you can answer that question with a yes or no right now, but maybe you can in the near future. The latest and greatest story out of the PGA Tour in the past few days has been all about the 2007 and beyond television deal that was reached by the PGA Tour, NBC, CBS and the Golf Channel.
I am not going to address the specifics of the deal here because Everardo Keeme did a standout job already. Instead, I’m going to give you the run down, the fall out, and the build up.
The Run Down
I don’t know what all of you were thinking a few weeks ago when the talks for the ’07 season began, but I was vexed over where I would turn to get my broadcast golf fix for the 2007 season, even though the 2006 season just started. It looked as if I would be missing out on some quality events.
In any event, I knew that the current PGA Tour czar, Tim Finchem, was feeling some strain too after ABC and its little buddy ESPN declared they were getting out of the broadcast golf business all together.
Despite this negligible setback, it appears that Finchem came through like a champ. He was able to arrange a lucrative deal with all three networks, issue a declaration to generate $600 million more in prize money, and other various benefits for the players over the next six years and set a goal to raise another billion dollars in charitable contributions within the next 10 years.
I don’t know about you, but Finchem has got to be feeling like a pig in slop after all these pieces of the puzzle came together.
The Fallout?
Even though this looks like a great deal, and I’m sure it is – I’m no television exec or anything – I can’t help but look at some of the drawbacks that come with this deal.
Currently, I am one of the 70 million subscribers to the Golf Channel. However, with that prestige comes a bigger cable bill. You see, in my area, much like yours I’m sure, a cable subscriber has several options to choose from. You have your basic cable and then you can add onto that slowly and surely which I had to do in order to get the Golf Channel. Some places I know, the Golf Channel comes with basic cable. Kudos to you, I’m jealous.
What about those who can’t afford this basic cable upgrade? Or, those who can’t even afford cable at all? Now, I know that all the PGA events will not be solely broadcast from the Golf Channel. Only the Mercedes Championships, the Sony Open in Hawaii, the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, the seven official money events following The Tour Championship and the five tournaments played opposite golf’s majors and World Golf Championships, and the first two rounds of the other money events. That’s 15 tournaments of which the Golf Channel will provide full coverage. They’ll also cover early round (Thursday/Friday) coverage of all the official money events. That job currently belongs primarily to the USA network.
That’s a lot of golf for someone to miss if they can’t afford to super size their cable bill, no?
Also, if the USA network is getting out of the broadcast golf arena with ABC and ESPN, what is to happen to PGA Tour Sunday? We’ll be missing out on the commentary, stories, and golf exuberance that only Fran Charles and Tim Rosaforte can provide. Alright, I know I can read Rosaforte in Golf World, but it just won’t be the same. I really like the cut of his gib.
Furthermore, I can see the Golf Channel turning into the exclusive news outlet for anything and everything from the PGA Tour.
I remember not too far back when it was announced that Golf Digest and the Tour were getting in bed together. It was a scandal! Now, this new relationship between TGC and the PGA Tour is a godsend.
Finally, what’s going to happen to all these shows that The Golf Channel has been painstakingly working on recently as well as for the past several years? The Big Break, The Daly Planet, Peter Jacobsen Plugged In, What’s in the Bag, Golf with Style and, of course, the Grey Goose 19th hole? Will there even be time to fit these programs into the new superstar-studded lineup?
What about the infomercials for cryin’ out loud? I can’t live without my golf infomercials!!
The Build Up
The pros are obvious. More damn golf at my fingertips. What more can an infatuated fan ask for?
Down the line, I can see the Golf Channel expanding by leaps and bounds, by establishing sister networks, much like MTV and VH1 have done. MTV pretty much broadcasts the self-produced television shows while MTV 2 plays the music videos. I can foresee the same thing happening with The Golf Channel down the road.
Merely 3 months ago, I was living in an apartment which for 30 bucks got us basic cable with HBO and Cinemax. Oh, but there is more, we also got the Golf Channel.
I was in heaven.
Now, I have moved into a new home and signed up for the 120 channels of Dish Network. Guess what, unless you pay the premium for the top package, the golf channel doesn’t come with it, so I am pissed about that.
If more golf coverage goes to the Golf Channel, ARGH…I don’t want to have to pay more for it.
Is the Masters in jeapordy of falling into this deal with TGC only? Or is it safe?
Great query.
This year, the USA network will have early round coverage and then CBS will take the helm for Saturday and Sunday coverage. I don’t think CBS, or any network for that matter will want to give up Masters coverage. But, USA is out of the game starting next year, so TGC may reap the rewards.
Nice work Matt! It looks like Thrash Talk is in good hands.
I haven’t really gotten into the details of the new television deal yet, but I’m sure I will eventually.
However, from the little I’ve heard, I’m still iffy on the idea of involving The Golf Channel that much. Like you said, not everyone gets TGC, and that will hurt the ratings a little at first. It may work itself out eventually, but it will hurt at first.
I don’t mind because I have The Golf Channel, but it might negatively effect quite a few golf fans worldwide.
I also liked USA’s coverage, but I guess we will all see this time next year.
Good article.
Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate your feedback.
Considering they’ve shown the Big Break IV about a dozen times since I got the Golf Channel at the end of December, I think they can fit the shows they’ve developed and the additional golf coverage into their schedule.
I also think the Golf Channel could extend to a sister network -something like a Classic Golf network for old tournaments and retrospectives. I just hope they don’t split it up into Seniors’ Womens’ and Europeans’ tour networks. That wouldn’t be a good idea.
And yes it does suck that you have to pay extra on Dish Network for the Golf Channel. But I’m pretty happy with the 180 channel package. I do tell people though that I’m paying over $50.00 a month for one channel – LOL
As for the tv personalities we won’t see next year, I will miss Paul and Nick, but not ESPN Carl. He drove me nuts. On the plus side, maybe I’ll get to see more Frank Nobilo. He’s very entertaining.