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

[newtogolf]

I don't have DirectTV but if I did I'd check it out.

I'm sure it will be a rough start for them, as it is for most of these startup networks.  Production quality will be lacking along with quality content but if they can get past the growing pains I can see them making it.

I hope my cable provider picks it up so I'd have another golf option on those nights that GC decides to rerun Tin Cup or The Legend of Bagger Vance for the 1000th time.

The positive side of a 2nd golf channel is the potential for more original golf content to be created and aired.   I wouldn't mind;

• a spin off of the Big Break
• a show that chronicles the lives of former golf pro's and tracks their progress trying to get back onto a tour.  GC has done a few of these but not enough imo.
• Another version of Feherty that lacks the awkward attempts of humor.
• A reality show that tracks the business of a golf pro shop, think Hardcore Pawn for golf.
• Some well produced television dramas / sitcom series that include golf as a core part of the story as some independent web sites have tried to produce.

GC only has so many hours for original programming to fill after it's obligations to the PGA, LPGA, Web.com and Champions Tours are met so maybe Back9 can expand on non-Tour related content until they grow sufficiently to attract interest from the Tours.  If Back9 can expand it's viewership I see it as a positive for the LPGA and Champions Tour to have another network that can bid on television rights and expand the coverage of their tours.

There are so many channels of garbage out there right now, the addition of another golf channel can't be all bad.

[Golfingdad]

I don't have DirectTV but if I did I'd check it out.

I'm sure it will be a rough start for them, as it is for most of these startup networks.  Production quality will be lacking along with quality content but if they can get past the growing pains I can see them making it.

I hope my cable provider picks it up so I'd have another golf option on those nights that GC decides to rerun Tin Cup or The Legend of Bagger Vance for the 1000th time.

The positive side of a 2nd golf channel is the potential for more original golf content to be created and aired.   I wouldn't mind;

a spin off of the Big Break

a show that chronicles the lives of former golf pro's and tracks their progress trying to get back onto a tour.  GC has done a few of these but not enough imo.

Another version of Feherty that lacks the awkward attempts of humor.

A reality show that tracks the business of a golf pro shop, think Hardcore Pawn for golf.

Some well produced television dramas / sitcom series that include golf as a core part of the story as some independent web sites have tried to produce.

GC only has so many hours for original programming to fill after it's obligations to the PGA, LPGA, Web.com and Champions Tours are met so maybe Back9 can expand on non-Tour related content until they grow sufficiently to attract interest from the Tours.  If Back9 can expand it's viewership I see it as a positive for the LPGA and Champions Tour to have another network that can bid on television rights and expand the coverage of their tours.

There are so many channels of garbage out there right now, the addition of another golf channel can't be all bad.

I'm really glad you didn't include The Greatest Game Ever Played in your list of golf movies that cause you to groan and change the channel.  We'd have had to have a talk about that. ;)  Everything else on there I basically agree with.

The sooner they start showing some real golf, though, I think the better.  Heck, they could start with the Hooters Tour or the Symetra Tour.

[RandallT]

The article says Ahmad Rashad is Executive Producer and a host. Ugh. He was awful on Golf Channel. His rapport with the Morning Drive hosts was very awkward.

[Golfingdad]

I'm really glad you didn't include The Greatest Game Ever Played in your list of golf movies that cause you to groan and change the channel.

LMAO ... I was not aware when I made this post that they were going to show this movie twice back-to-back tonight.  (I shall be watching)

[BENtSwing]

I had no idea this channel was premiering tonight and randomly saw a show called "Off Par with Matty Blake" on the guide...ummm...I tried to give it a chance...but yeeeesh. It was like a mix of the worst SNL skits, a public access/deep cable show (not in HD), and a golf infomercial.

The one "skit" I watched, had a guy and his friend's gf waiting in a doctors office, the doc comes out and says, (insert terrible acting/improve) "...there's really nothing we can do, he's suffering from and over-the-top motion." blah blah blah... Then the gf says she's leaving this guy and his friend won't play golf with him anymore, terrible joke after terrible slice joke...LOL! Pretty unbelievable really...I was asking my girlfriend if she accidentally picked up the wrong prescription from the local MM clinic, cuz I must have been hallucinating.

[Mr. Desmond]

Upon further review of the website tonite, I am incorrect -- it looks as if the network wants to attract a different market -- more hip, young -- a different approach to the same game.

[boogielicious]

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

I've got the learn to not be drinking coffee when I read your posts!

[newtogolf]

I'm really glad you didn't include The Greatest Game Ever Played in your list of golf movies that cause you to groan and change the channel.  We'd have had to have a talk about that. ;)  Everything else on there I basically agree with.

The sooner they start showing some real golf, though, I think the better.  Heck, they could start with the Hooters Tour or the Symetra Tour.

I was actually going to include it, but the title was too long so I went with Tin Cup instead Don't get me wrong, I liked those movies the first 5 times I saw them...

I forgot about Hooters and Symetra, those would be ideal for Back9 to cut their teeth on.

[k-troop]

@newtogolf and @Golfingdad , Tin Cup, The Greatest Game Ever Played, and Bagger Vance are three of my favorite movies! Always worth a watch when there's nothing good on (which is most of the time these days).

[davechen]

LMAO ... I was not aware when I made this post that they were going to show this movie twice back-to-back tonight.  (I shall be watching)

I hadn't seen it before, but caught a bit last night after hearing y'all talk about it.  Pretty good.  It got too late, so I Tivoed the rest of the movie for later.

[colin007]

i would love to see more amateur stuff, especially NCAA golfers.

[Hammer 4]

Watched some of the Turn last night, Not impressed at all, especially with Rashad....meh

[Moppy]

Just tuned in to check it out. Low def infomercial for a product that will drop your handicap from the low 20s to 6  :^O. Where's my credit card? Just showed a guy with, a beer gut that would embarrass Family Guy, hit one 300 yards! OMG!

[BrrrrMan78]

Only checked out a few features, mostly from following on Twitter and Instagram. They have some cool stories from time to time and seem to def be targeting younger people to introduce the game to. If they do what others have said with upcoming tours and NCAA golf, the content could get pretty interesting.

[Moppy]

Well, Morning Drive could use the competition. So here's hoping.

[trickyputt]

Being at least 80% male, I am hoping for eye candy! Nothing wrong with visual spice, whoever she is...

[k-troop]

Being at least 80% male, I am hoping for eye candy! Nothing wrong with visual spice, whoever she is...

If you're only 80% male, what is the other 20%??

[trickyputt]

Beast. That was a reference to the channel demographics described in an earlier post.