Back9Network launches today; is there room for two golf networks?

[boogielicious]

http://www.golfdigest.com/blogs/the-loop/2014/09/back9network-launches-today-is.html

A new golf network coming to a cable network near you.  From Golf Digest .

Back9Network launches today; is there room for two golf networks?

By John Strege

Four years after it was founded, Back9Network finally begins broadcasting today, and will do so not without some uncertainty. Is there room for a second golf network?

"I wouldn't have left a nice safe career at ESPN if I didn't think so," Charles Cox, CEO of Back9 Network, said. Cox was Director of International Finance and Business Development at ESPN before joining Back9Network.

"I think it's a no-brainer channel offering. You've got the only sport you can play until you die. You've got a 70-billion dollars annual consumer spend around the lifestyle. Look at other genres that have a lifestyle around it. There's only one, outdoors, hunting and fishing, and they've got several channels."

The network bills itself as "the world's first multi-platform lifestyle network for golf lovers," featuring wine, food, cars, travel, nightlife and, of course, golf.

"I''ve got the best demographic in golf, the male golfer," Cox said. "Eighty percent of golfers are male. The focus we're accessing is about entertaining the male golfer in prime time."

[Patch]

Well, I am not so sure if there is enough "stuff" happening in golf that warrants a second network. Watching, and listening about golf is pretty mundane in itself. However, if the newbie is able to put a different slant on the golfing news that is credible, then why not. A little competition never hurts in anything.

Plus, if their programming includes more actual golf being played, and less talking heads, then that would be a plus. I would also like to be able to watch some of the old Shell's Wonderful World of Golf shows, and The Bobby Jones series on a more regular basis. Don't think that will happen depending on who owns the rights to those shows.

Fewer non golf related infomercials would also be nice, but probably won't happen as I think "just golf"  commercials won't bring in enough revenue. Perhaps Levitra, or Viagra will be one of their Cialis type revenue makers.  Hopefully they won't bring in a Kardashian for eye candy.

Not being a premium channel, and me not having to spend an extra $20-$30 a month to watch it would be a good gesture on their part. That's why I quit watching the TGC. Nothing premium about it. No, my provider did not charge me extra just for TGC, but for the programming block  that contained TGC.

As for the "the world's first multi-platform lifestyle network for golf lovers," featuring wine, food, cars, travel, nightlife and, of course, golf", that is not a selling point for me. The golf part is, but I could take, or leave the rest.

If it's available to me, I will give it a look see.

[vasaribm]

If the content has enough difference from TGC, without straying to far off course or gimmicky, then I think there is room for another golf network...variety is good.  Being only DirecTV for now, I'll have to wait and see reviews since I have Time Warner.

[iacas]

If the content has enough difference from TGC, without straying to far off course or gimmicky, then I think there is room for another golf network...variety is good.  Being only DirecTV for now, I'll have to wait and see reviews since I have Time Warner.

I have DirecTV and have no plans to check it out. :P

[boogielicious]

Here the link to their site.

http://www.back9network.com/

It is not available in my area (Comcast Boston area).

[isukgolf]

Don't think it will survive ... not sure why I would watch a golf channel to hear about wine, cars, nightlife, etc ... when I put a golf channel I like to see golf related stuff ...

[davechen]

I have DirecTV and have no plans to check it out. :P

Hmmm, there's PureStrike paid program on the schedule.  You're not going to check that out?

I looked at their programming line up.  Doesn't look good.  Lifestyle and reality shows about golf?  I think I'll pass.

[iacas]

Hmmm, there's PureStrike paid program on the schedule.  You're not going to check that out?

Why? I've already seen it. :)

[Golfingdad]

I looked at their programming line up.  Doesn't look good.  Lifestyle and reality shows about golf?  I think I'll pass.

http://www.back9network.com/schedule/

Yeah, at this point I would have to agree.  I might be interested in the Wandering Golfer shows, assuming that they are like Travel Channel shows but just with beautiful golf courses.  But that's about it.

I don't like watching talk shows, of which it appears they have a plethora, so that's not a draw for me.  And they don't have any actual golf so I doubt I'll be watching it at first.

That said, I think this is exactly how all of the dedicated channels started off (TGC, MLB network, NFL network) before they found their niche and came into their own, so I wouldn't completely write them off yet, but they have an uphill battle.

[iacas]

That said, I think this is exactly how all of the dedicated channels started off (TGC, MLB network, NFL network) before they found their niche and came into their own, so I wouldn't completely write them off yet, but they have an uphill battle.

Did those other channels have a direct, established competitor already like GC is to B9N?

[Mr. Desmond]

While TGC tries to do a commendable job, I don't see a "Lifestyles of the Wealthy, Traveling Golfer" Channel appealing to the masses... it's a niche market.

Of course, dress it up with blondes, big hair, and big cans, and I still think it's a small niche. I can see a reality show of Sugar Babe Golfettes going for the Older Male Golfer... sounds disgusting on so many levels, but that is the way our society is going.

Of course, if it helps TGC up its game, I'm for it. Even if it goes away in 6 months ... not that I'll watch.

[Golfingdad]

Did those other channels have a direct, established competitor already like GC is to B9N?

Nope, so this one is a little more unique in that aspect.  But, one thing, at least to me, that all of those channels had in common once they really started to succeed - and this is also true for ESPN - is that they actually started showing live sports.

I feel like all this channel would need to be successful is to get some live golf.  Sign a contract with the Champions Tour or the LPGA, or, heck, even try your hand at college or amateur golf.  (I watched the crap out of the NCAA championships this last summer.)

My opinion is that without live golf, they're not going to make it, but with live golf, they'll have a good chance.

[jamo]

I don't spend [S]much[/S] any time on their site, so even if they had the channel in my area (which they don't), I doubt I'd ever watch it.

[Mr. Desmond]

I think this network appeals to a younger, hip, shallow, happy go lucky crowd who may not be golf-serious, but desire the lifestyle as pictured.

[Phil McGleno]

So Golf Channel appeals to older, uncool, douchebaggy, liberal, never-wrong-bout-nothin' types like yourself?[quote name="Mr. Desmond" url="/t/77383/back9network-launches-today-is-there-room-for-two-golf-networks#post_1060503"]I think this network appeals to a younger, hip, shallow, happy go lucky crowd who may not be golf-serious, but desire the lifestyle as pictured. [URL=http://thesandtrap.com/content/type/61/id/106649/] [/URL] [/quote] Maybe I believe what I said bout you just there-Maybe I dont. But damn cool it on the gross characterizations.-Golf magazine etc. review cars that cost quite a bit.

[Mr. Desmond]

So Golf Channel appeals to older, uncool, douchebaggy, liberal, never-wrong-bout-nothin' types like yourself?

Maybe I believe what I said bout you just there-Maybe I dont. But damn cool it on the gross characterizations.-Golf magazine etc. review cars that cost quite a bit.

Phil -- I think you take sarcasm a little too far... and you might want to cool it on the gross characterizations.

[Phil McGleno]

Okay-Will get right on that, Mr. Pot.[quote name="Mr. Desmond" url="/t/77383/back9network-launches-today-is-there-room-for-two-golf-networks#post_1060503"]I think this network appeals to a younger, hip, shallow, happy go lucky crowd who may not be golf-serious, but desire the lifestyle as pictured. [/quote] [quote name="Mr. Desmond" url="/t/77383/back9network-launches-today-is-there-room-for-two-golf-networks#post_1060512"] Phil -- I think you take sarcasm a little too far... and you might want to cool it on the gross characterizations. [/quote]

[Mr. Desmond]

Okay-Will get right on that, Mr. Pot.

Funny.

I know my limitations and learn more about them on a daily basis. All I need to do is read your love letters to me.

But I tend to leave the golf lessons now to the professionals. The more I learn, the more I discover what I do not know. That's why I take lessons. Golf is beyond me, apparently.

But I do have education and knowledge on legal, business and management, and if I can help there, or offer an opinion based on facts, I do.

I like people with an opinion, whether I agree or not.

As to this back nine, we'll see what happens. It will have a certain appeal .. .big enough? We'll find out.