NBC/Golf Channel land Open Championship TV rights starting 2018

[dkolo]

Most service providers carry channels on a level of subscription tiers. ESPN is carried on the basic package of virtually every cable or satellite company in the United States, while Golf Channel usually is carried on a higher tier.

Right; it would be difficult to not get ESPN with your cable TV.

[phan52]

2018

Going by NBC's statement, it appears to be 2017.

By Geoff Shackelford

NBC and Golf Channel have obtained the American broadcast rights to The Open Championship beginning in 2018, multiple sources confirm.

The announcement, which comes after presentations by several major networks to the R&A;, was made Monday to avoid any interference with this week’s KPMG Women's PGA Championship and next week’s U.S. Open. Existing rights-holder ESPN will broadcast its final Open in 2016 after the R&A; opted out of the current contract’s final year.

As part of the deal, Golf Channel will get to air coverage of a men’s major for the first time, and the move back to broadcast television from exclusively on cable is expected improve audience size and visibility, reportedly the most important factor for the R&A; that was said to be pleased with ESPN’s effort.

The Open Championship coverage will be live on NBC, avoiding any potential criticism for the network that has often tape-delayed Olympic and tennis coverage. It’s also a major victory for the Comcast-owned networks, which lost out to Fox Sports for the right to broadcast USGA events, including the U.S. Open.

“ We are delighted to announce that from 2017, The Open will be broadcast by NBC Sports Group. They have unparalleled experience in golf and have demonstrated a genuine desire to showcase and promote The Open and The R&A;’s elite championships through their extensive range of channels and digital platforms,” said Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A.; “The United States is home to millions of fans of The Open and we know that through NBC Sports Group, they will enjoy world-class coverage of the Championship.”

Originally Posted by Chilli Dipper

Most service providers carry channels on a level of subscription tiers. ESPN is carried on the basic package of virtually every cable or satellite company in the United States, while Golf Channel usually is carried on a higher tier.

I am guessing that the vast majority of the Open will be on NBC, particularly on the weekend. That is better than being exclusively on a cable outlet (ESPN).

[newtogolf]

Most service providers carry channels on a level of subscription tiers. ESPN is carried on the basic package of virtually every cable or satellite company in the United States, while Golf Channel usually is carried on a higher tier.

ESPN is in 97 million homes while Golf Channel is in 82 million.   NBC is in 113 million homes.

[Chilli Dipper]

Going by NBC's statement, it appears to be 2017. By Geoff Shackelford NBC and Golf Channel have obtained the American broadcast rights to The Open Championship beginning in 2018, multiple sources confirm. The announcement, which comes after presentations by several major networks to the R&A;, was made Monday to avoid any interference with this week’s KPMG Women's PGA Championship and next week’s U.S. Open. Existing rights-holder ESPN will broadcast its final Open in 2016 after the R&A; opted out of the current contract’s final year. As part of the deal, Golf Channel will get to air coverage of a men’s major for the first time, and the move back to broadcast television from exclusively on cable is expected improve audience size and visibility, reportedly the most important factor for the R&A; that was said to be pleased with ESPN’s effort. The Open Championship coverage will be live on NBC, avoiding any potential criticism for the network that has often tape-delayed Olympic and tennis coverage. It’s also a major victory for the Comcast-owned networks, which lost out to Fox Sports for the right to broadcast USGA events, including the U.S. Open. “ We are delighted to announce that from 2017, The Open will be broadcast by NBC Sports Group. They have unparalleled experience in golf and have demonstrated a genuine desire to showcase and promote The Open and The R&A;’s elite championships through their extensive range of channels and digital platforms,” said Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A.; “The United States is home to millions of fans of The Open and we know that through NBC Sports Group, they will enjoy world-class coverage of the Championship.” I am guessing that the vast majority of the Open will be on NBC, particularly on the weekend. That is better than being exclusively on a cable outlet (ESPN).

I wouldn't be surprised if NBC picks up the coverage for a couple of hours during the first two rounds, like it did during the U.S. Open years. In fact, the time change would make it easier for them to do so; they could pre-empt the fourth hour of the [i]Today[/i] show or [i]Days of Our Lives,[/i] and local affiliates would only have to give up one hour of programming.

[nevets88]

New logo from R&A;:

Reminds me of:

[Rick Martin]

That's awesome. Hopefully Johnny Miller will be around still for the Open. He was devastated when they lost the US Open. I think NBC is the best when it comes to golf.

So I'm confused, though, does it start in 2017 or 2018?

I'm happy with this. I enjoy Miller as a commentator - but he's getting up there in age (kind of - he's 68 now) - wonder how many more years he has on the job.

[newtogolf]

I'm happy with this. I enjoy Miller as a commentator - but he's getting up there in age (kind of - he's 68 now) - wonder how many more years he has on the job.

I was listening to PGA Tour Radio on XM and it seems the Miller said he was considering retirement at 70 but that with the opportunity to work The Open be open to delaying it a few years.   I'm not sure if that's posturing for a better contract or just an indication of how much he'd like to cover The Open.

[ChrisP]

I was listening to PGA Tour Radio on XM and it seems the Miller said he was considering retirement at 70 but that with the opportunity to work The Open be open to delaying it a few years.   I'm not sure if that's posturing for a better contract or just an indication of how much he'd like to cover The Open.

I'm sure Miller will stick around after 70 to cover the Open. I remember how upset he was when they lost the US Open. I thought he was going to retire last year. He was choked up when he signed off at Pinehurst. But this will prolly keep him around until 75, at least for 3 or 4 events during the year. I just hope they don't replace him with Peter Jacobsen. One thing I enjoy about NBC is Roger Matlbie and Mark Rolfing. They're right up there with David Feherty as the best on-course reporters.

[jamo]

When any of the other networks put together a service that works as consistently as WatchESPN, then I'll get excited about them getting a major. As of now, NBC's stream likes to jump between bitrates, the streams for CBS are fiddly, and the interface for TNT's stream is awful.