Golf Channel Cuts 30 Jobs, Cancels Big Break

[nevets88]

If the network spokesman is correct, then Big Break might be in jeopardy. More live coverage is a good thing. Or it's just your general corporate layoffs that usually happen after mergers or changes in management.

Quote:

Despite ratings numbers in 2015 that rank as the best in network history, the Golf Channel purged 30 jobs on Friday at the company’s home base in Orlando, mostly in the original programming department.

While speculation persists about the motives behind the layoffs, a network spokesman told Golf Blot that Golf Channel decided to place a greater emphasis on live programming, which meant shows such as Big Break have been shelved or outright canceled.

Big Break was a cornerstone of the company’s original programming, and recently completed its 23rd iteration. It has technically been put on hiatus, company spokesman Dave Schaefer said.

However, one of the show’s founders, producer Jay Kossoff, was among those laid off, according to a network source.

http://golf.blotpost.com/business/despite-best-ratings-run-in-network-history-golf-channel-pares-30-jobs-at-orlando-headquarters/

[David in FL]

I wonder CBS wants to transfer more live golf on the weekend to the GC to free up the normal network for other programming. I wonder what "live programming" they could want to add Ito those early/mid-week time slots. Guess we'll see.

[Ernest Jones]

I wonder CBS wants to transfer more live golf on the weekend to the GC to free up the normal network for other programming. I wonder what "live programming" they could want to add Ito those early/mid-week time slots. Guess we'll see.

I would be good with that. Saves me the trouble of searching for the local provider every time a tournament migrates off TGC. keep it all in the same place I say. The obvious exception being the Majors and The Players and maybe the WGC events.

[Tailgater]

The Golf Channell announced they are laying off 3% of their staff and are canceling Big Break. I will miss the show, especially the seasons with hot female golfers.

[RandallT]

The Golf Channell announced they are laying off 3% of their staff and are canceling Big Break. I will miss the show, especially the seasons with hot female golfers.

Bummer.

[keeps21]

The first season (easily my favourite) was what got me into golf in the first place back when the golf channel was aired in the UK.

[SavvySwede]

And just when the caliber of participants started to rise. Oh well

[vangator]

That's the best show they have on that channel. Too bad.

[cipher]

I have not watched it for a while.  Just a bunch of contrived drama.

[atb5079]

Hmmm Golf Channel on the struggle bus? I liked Big Break, bummer.

[inthehole]

wow - that sux.  Big Break was by far my favorite part of TGC.  Who knows, maybe TGC has been struggling financially for a while & maybe Holly saw this coming (at least her leaving would make some semblance of sense if that was the case) ...

[mvmac]

That's the best show they have on that channel. Too bad.

Feherty is my favorite show on TGC.

I have not watched it for a while.  Just a bunch of contrived drama.

Yeah I haven't watched the last four or five seasons. Even though the competition has gotten much better the show feels very repetitive.

[RFKFREAK]

I wonder if they'll keep Breed's show, and Hall's for that matter.

If the network spokesman is correct, then Big Break might be in jeopardy. More live coverage is a good thing. Or it's just your general corporate layoffs that usually happen after mergers or changes in management.

http://golf.blotpost.com/business/despite-best-ratings-run-in-network-history-golf-channel-pares-30-jobs-at-orlando-headquarters/

Did they recently have a merger or change in management?

[newtogolf]

Production costs for shows like Big Break are pretty significant so I'm guessing that this is an attempt to cut costs and improve profit margins for the network.  The GC already pays for the rights to LPGA, PGA, Champions Tour and Web.com tournaments so I'm guessing the plan is to fill programming slots with replays or additional coverage of golf events they already paid for and see what the overall impact is on ratings.

If ratings decline significantly they will bring back their higher rated self produced shows like Big Break but if the ratings don't dip enough to warrant lower advertiser pricing then we probably won't see another Big Break.

[Wyalusing]

This is very unfortunate. I enjoyed seeing amateur golfers given a regular opportunity to be seen. It gave me ideas for shots to practice as well.

[Shindig]

And yet they're keeping "Altered Course." That show doesn't look good at all.

[Spitfisher]

And yet they're keeping "Altered Course." That show doesn't look good at all.

its already been filmed, the costs have been absorbed. Besides the little I have seen in previews, most of the production will be done with go pros. rather than boom cameras and exotic regions and resorts.

As a few have mentioned Big Break was getting stale, I watched early on with Don Donatello and a few more series.  Stephanie Sparks was great on it. there was some classic characters in it, then someone in production thought bringing in a few psychos & dirt bags would make for better TV.

I found the womens big breaks overall were better and much better than the mens the past 3-4 years.

As far as production pieces, ferherty is good. my favorite show I saw on the golf channel was a 8-10 piece series called " the longest drive"...which I don't believe they produced but allowed it to be broadcast.

the morning drive,I have been critical of, just a bunch of fluff and egos half the time rehashing the same thing.

[shakogolfer78]

I second Feherty being the best show on TGC.  Not going to miss The Big Break that much.  Back about 6-7 years ago I really enjoyed the show, but now it is just same old, same old.

More live golf sounds like a good replacement thought.