Fox Sports 1 Launch: "It is not a hill they have to climb, it's the Grand Canyon."

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Joe Flint in the LA Times files a Calendar section front page feature on this Saturday's launch of Fox Sports 1, the future home to USGA golf starting in 2015. He analyzes "the dominant and growing role sports is playing in the modern television industry" and takes us inside Fox Sports to learn more about what the network has planned to get itself into homes (so far not going so well) and attract viewers.

I can't wait for the afternoon roundtable show when this gang--headed by 18-34 yo favorite Regis Philbin--kicks around possible Walker Cup selections, maybe with Reege wondering if any of them go to Notre Dame.

"It is a bit out of left field, but that's what we do," said Fox Sports Co-President Eric Shanks of the hiring of Philbin to host "Crowd Goes Wild," an afternoon round table that will also feature former Baltimore Raven Trevor Pryce, Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay and Katie Nolan, best known for her racy sports-related YouTube videos.

You know when I think left field, I think the USGA!

As for those "racy" videos, think Sarah Silverman…only even less funny, less interesting, less intelligent, but worth bookmarking in your Dry Alternatives To Waterboarding folder.

From the story it sounds like Fox hopes to innovate in the audio department--and we know this new USGA deal is all about the innovation that the USGA didn't get from NBC and ESPN. Though I'm pretty sure that short of mics on players (at USGA events no less!), NBC's award-winning and impressive sound man Larry Cirillo has already been there, done that.

From David Hill of Fox:

Hill, who ran Fox Sports for decades and now oversees among other things "American Idol" and "The X-Factor," is known as an innovative producer. It was Hill who first came up with what now seems like an obvious idea to have the score and time left in a game superimposed on the TV screen. He put microphones inside bases to bring fans closer to the action.

"We spend more time and effort on audio than anyone else," he said proudly. "Close-up audio is far more emotive than close-up video.

And this ought to go over really well when blue blazer types sit down to watch the evening highlights:

Its flagship show "Fox Sports Live" — a nightly three-hour recap of the day's highlights and news — will be anchored by Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole, two unknowns imported from Canada, where they hosted "SportsCentre" for the TSN sports channel there.

The pair are known for their morning zoo style, poking fun at the absurdities of sport with an ironic sensibility inspired by Conan O'Brien and Letterman. While some sportscasters these days are obsessed with statistics and overanalysis, Onrait and O'Toole want to keep it light.

When I think light and ironic sensibilities, I think USGA now and forever.

Jack Welch Blasts CBS '13 PGA Commercial & Chatter Overkill

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Longtime readers and I have bonded over the years documenting PGA Championship commercial breaks and relentless fall lineup previews, with occasional interruptions of golf scattered here and there.

Under strict doctor's orders I was not allowed to watch today's 2013 telecast from Oak Hill. I suffer from a rare disease known as How I Met Your Mother Syndrome, which involves getting a migraine if I hear more than one How I Met Your Mother in a weekend.

But the PGA Championship obviously remains hard to watch when Mr. Free Market, Mr. Capitalism and former Mr. NBC Jack Welch takes to Twitter to blast CBS and the PGA for the lack of golf shown.

The first Tweet:



And a follow up:



The 3rd round highlights, free of plugs and commercials:

 

Johnny: "I feel bad for the USGA in a way that money was more important than basically a good golf crew."

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From Doug Ferguson's story on the new USGA TV deal.

"It was a big bummer," Miller told The Associated Press from his home in Utah. "For some reason, I told Dan Hicks at the U.S. Open this year, 'I don't think we're going to keep the U.S. Open.' I just had a hunch it would be ESPN or Fox that stepped in and made a high bid. I know we tried.

"I feel bad for the USGA in a way that money was more important than basically a good golf crew."

Not April Fools: USGA Announces New TV Deal With FOX Sports On Eve Of PGA Championship

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Let's forget for the moment that Fox Sports has NEVER televised golf other than some local team play golf shows.

Let's forget that the USGA is a non-profit organization with a "For The Good Of The Game" slogan currently airing their early round telecasts on ESPN with weekday and weekend coverage from NBC, and a major partnership with Golf Channel.

Let's forget that the USGA does not need any more money than it currently brings in.

No, let's just focus on the unprecedently tacky decision by the USGA (not Fox) to announce a major shake-up in how the USGA does business on the eve of the PGA Championship.

For Immediate Release...

 USGA AND FOX SPORTS  TEE-UP LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP

Tee up? Golf puns? Really?

12-Year Multi-Media Agreement Brings Major Championship Golf to FOX Sports Platforms for First Time Ever, Beginning in 2015

Expands Coverage for U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open & U.S. Senior Open Championships

Elevates USGA’s Amateur Championships with Significant Coverage

Far Hills, N.J., and New York (August 7, 2013) – The United States Golf Association (USGA), the governing body of the game of golf in the United States, and FOX Sports, the No.1 network for sports television since 1997,

Excuse me, did I miss a memo? Did ESPN establish itself in 1998?

today announced a comprehensive multi-media agreement that makes the FOX network and FOX Sports 1 the principal domestic media partner of the USGA and the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open Championships, as well as the USGA’s national amateur championships and other live content, beginning in 2015. The landmark, 12-year agreement, which runs through 2026, brings premier major championship golf for the first time ever to the FOX broadcast network, home to the country’s greatest sports events, including the Super Bowl, World Series, Daytona 500 and World Cup.

The agreement was announced today

...today, in an utterly low class, ungentlemanly fashion on the eve of the PGA Championship which happens to be run by the organization that did not support us on the anchoring ban. Coincidence?

by USGA President Glen D. Nager and USGA Executive Director Mike Davis and FOX Sports Co-Presidents and COOs Randy Freer and Eric Shanks.

“This is an exciting and remarkable day for the USGA, as our partnership with the FOX Sports is a game-changer for our organization and for the game of golf,” said USGA President Glen D. Nager.

Game-changer. Define please.

“The game is evolving and requires bold and unique approaches on many levels, and FOX shares our vision to seek fresh thinking and innovative ideas to deliver championship golf.

Translation: NBC and ESPN were not up to snuff.

This partnership will help us to better lead and serve the game in new and exciting ways.”

And based on Fox's extensive work in golf...oh forget it.

Under terms of the newly executed agreement, the USGA and FOX Sports will deliver a total of 146 hours of championship golf, including a minimum of 70 cumulative hours of live event coverage of the three Opens, making the game compelling, dramatic and fun for an expanded audience. In addition to the rights to the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open Championships, FOX Sports will also be home to the USGA’s national amateur championships and international team competitions, delivering a minimum of 76 hours of live broadcast coverage across its sports platforms, including FOX Sports 1, America’s new sports network, launching August 17.

A twelve-year commitment in part to a network that hasn't even launched yet. Wish I thought of that.

“It’s with tremendous excitement and pride that we’ve added events with the prestige and magnitude of the USGA’s U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open to the big events FOX Sports is set to cover for years to come,” said FOX Sports Co-President and COO, Randy Freer.

“We’re looking forward to FOX Sports becoming home to the preeminent golf championship in the world,” added fellow FOX Sports Co-President and COO Eric Shanks.  “We’re committed to elevating coverage of USGA events on every level, infusing them with a new energy and innovation that will make every championship the best golf event on television.”

This new partnership with FOX Sports also includes strategic elements to help the USGA strengthen its support of the game, including:

Integrating FOX Sport’s wide array of multi-platform assets, including its soon to launch mobile app FOX Sports GO, and innovative production capabilities to establish the U.S. Open Championship as the world’s best golf telecast;

Elevating the visibility of the USGA’s amateur championships and delivering unique storytelling to celebrate the amateur game;

Transforming U.S. Open Week into a powerful showcase and entertaining celebration of the game of golf;

Developing unique initiatives to enhance the USGA Member experience and help grow the Association’s membership community; and

Providing significant promotional support to showcase and advance the USGA’s core services to the game, including the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status, Equipment Standards, Handicapping, the USGA Green Section and the USGA Museum.

“We are thrilled with the commitment that FOX Sports has made to the USGA, our national championships, the strategic growth of our organization and to the game,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis. “This partnership represents a promising new future for both organizations that will be marked by broadcast innovation, new approaches and fresh thinking. We could not be more energized by what we will be able to accomplish together to make golf better, both now and for future generations of players and fans who love the game.”

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Translation: we took a huge amount of money because are about the good of the almighty dollar.

Most astounding of all, the USGA has just entered an era in which it has streamlined and refined how it announces initiatives. Credit who you like for this improved messaging--Mike Davis, Glen Nager, Joe Goode--it doesn't matter. They did a nice job rolling out the anchoring ban announcement and other "news." And now this?

So forgetting the idea of committing to a network for 12-years that has never televised golf, how does that same non-profit organization pull this stunt on the eve of the PGA Championship.

A dark day for the United States Golf Association and for the game.

Man Escapes Berman: Golf Channel Lands New News Head

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Reportedly having served as Chris Berman's writer and producer for many years (Sainthood eligibility...done!), Adam Hertzog has been hired from ESPN by Golf Channel to supervise their news and studio shows.

For Immediate Release:

GOLF CHANNEL HIRES VETERAN ESPN PRODUCER ADAM HERTZOG AS VICE PRESIDENT OF NEWS AND STUDIO PRODUCTIONS
 
With More Than 18 Years of Sports News Production Experience, Hertzog Most Recently was a Coordinating Producer for ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown
 
ORLANDO, Fla. (August 5, 2013) – Golf Channel announced today that Adam Hertzog will  lead the network’s News Department as Vice President of News and Studio Productions and will report to Molly Solomon, Executive Producer for Golf Channel.  Hertzog’s primary responsibilities will include Golf Channel’s daily news programs, including GOLF CENTRAL, MORNING DRIVE and the network’s signature LIVE FROM franchise from golf’s biggest events worldwide, as well as pregame/postgame platforms for Golf Channel and GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC.  Additionally, Hertzog will collaborate with teams responsible for in-studio instructional series and digital media extensions to expand the breadth and depth of Golf Channel’s high-quality content.
 
“Adam has been a driving force behind successful franchises like Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, NBA Countdown and SportsCenter, crafting his skills in producing thought-provoking studio programming,” said Solomon. “His extensive experience and innovative approach to television production, along with a huge passion for golf, will further Golf Channel’s ability to connect the world to golf through the high-quality productions our viewers expect.”
 
Hertzog’s most recent experience as coordinating producer and writer at ESPN included Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown. Additionally, Hertzog was executive producer and creator for ESPYS Countdown, which debuted in 2010, and was a Coordinating Producer for NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC, helping launch a new format in 2011. His previous experience also includes work with ESPN Original Entertainment, HBO Sports, VH1, History Channel, after starting his career as a production assistant with ESPN in 1995.

Hertzog is leaving this...maybe Rich Lerner the impressionist will re-create this to spice up a Live From:

Scottish Open Scores A 1.3 Final Round Overnight Rating

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Nice numbers from the experimental (not anymore!) 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, which aired on Golf Channel and for the first time, NBC (see Mike McCarley Q&A here).

A few of the "overnight" numbers are below, with one rating point generally equating to 1.14 million viewers. The final numbers won’t be available until Wednesday for Golf Channel but it appears the Scottish easily outdrew the U.S. Senior Open. Phil Mickelson obviously gets a huge "assist" in this. But still, mighty impressive:

· Golf Channel’s coverage of the final round of the European Tour’s Scottish Open (9:30A-12P), leading into NBC’s coverage, delivered a 0.28 in the overnights, up 27% vs. Golf Channel’s Final Round coverage last year (8A-12:45P, 0.22). NBC’s continuing coverage of the Scottish Open final round (12-2:45P) received a 1.3 (first time for event on NBC, no comparison available).
 
Also note that US Senior Open was up YOY – which can be attributed in part to lead-in of Scottish Open.
 
· NBC’s coverage of the U.S. Senior Open final round (2:45-6P) posted a 0.99, up 29% YOY (3-6P, 0.77).

Q&A With Mike McCarley: Scottish Open On NBC

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As Sky reports, Phil Mickelson moved to 14 under, joining three others two shots behind Henrik Stenson heading into the final round of the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

That should be a nice bonus for NBC, which is getting plenty of attention here in the UK for airing the weekend rounds on the network. And since this could be a historic weekend for network golf in the U.S. and especially the European Tour if a success, I emailed questions to Golf Channel President Mike McCarley about the Aberdeen Asset Management Open, now signed through 2017 including a likely 2016 return to Castle Stuart.

McCarley served as SVP Communications, Marketing and Promotions for NBC Sports & Olympics before joining Golf Channel in February, 2011. He kindly answered my questions while attending this week's Scottish Open.


GS: What's the backstory on this week's Scottish Open ending up getting network air time on NBC?

MM: This is a simple and logical next step in our continual innovation to create more interest in the game. It's a pretty natural evolution. Golf Channel has been partners with the European Tour since the network launched 19 years ago (the 1995 Dubai Desert Classic was the first live tournament on Golf Channel).  The relationship with the European Tour has always been collaborative, so when Golf Channel became part of NBC Sports two years ago, the opportunities to help build interest in the Tour increased and we saw a lot of immediate success. Not only did the European Tour see a significant overall ratings lift because of the larger audience now watching Golf Channel, but also we've been able to better promote European Tour golf to a broader audience on NBC.

In some instances, especially for Final Rounds after receiving Saturday NBC promotion, European Tour audiences have increased by as much as 400%. This is all part of a much larger, methodical process to help create more interest in the game. When we introduce new viewers to the European Tour, it helps make these players more identifiable. This, in turn, helps build viewership whenever they play – whether it's on the PGA Tour, during Majors or the Ryder Cup.
 

GS: Is this something that we could see more of in the future or is this a unique situation because of Aberdeen Asset Management?

MM: This unique situation is a big part of our jobs to bring more attention to the game through innovation, but at the same time our aim is to remain authentic to the game. So you always want to see how something works before you decide exactly how a unique situation like this will work in the future. With that being said, Aberdeen Asset Management has been terrific partners through this process and they share our passion for the game so we will continue to work closely together on this project.
 

GS: How much did Castle Stuart and links golf in general play into making this something the network would want to show?

MM: It's really a confluence of factors that made this make sense. The European Tour on Golf Channel has featured plenty of links golf courses over the years and plenty of American golfers dream of playing links golf in Scotland.  At its best, TV can transport viewers to places they may never be able to go, so for many who watch this week on TV, it may be the closest they get to making that special trip to Scotland. But for some, especially with the pictures they're seeing, it may provide just enough motivation to plan that trip.

The Scottish Open first piqued my interest as a television property when David Feherty, in his own self-deprecating style, told me a story about winning the Scottish Open and then subsequently losing the trophy – yes, he lost the oldest trophy in all of sports.  The story involved waking up in another country, with 'at least' two members of Led Zeppelin. Later, it wasn't the humor that I was thinking about it was the history. There is fantastic history inherent to an event and setting like this and it could be an interesting piece for us to explore.  Another item of interest is Castle Stuart, when Gil Hanse was selected to design the Olympic course in Rio one of the factors I kept hearing about was the phenomenal job that he did here. While these weren’t deciding factors, these aspects first waked our curiosity about the potential of what this could become.  
 

GS: Does the look of a venue in the HD world play any role in how much coverage? Is that something you discuss with the PGA Tour when looking down the road for future planning?

MM: The sweeping vistas and coastlines are all important as a backdrop and you invest in extra production resources to help bring that to the viewer (a fixed-wing airplane has been added to the production here, similar to the plane we've added in Hawaii in recent years to best capture the coastline scenery). Any sports fan, who watches in HD knows that golf is one of the most visually interesting in sports. We know a lot of TV retailers turn Golf Channel on in their showrooms because it showcases the clarity best and we're starting to see the same tendencies with the emerging 4K technology. We all know one special aspect to golf is that it’s played around the world in spectacular locations where, as an entertainment option, the competition is often enhanced by crisp pictures and breathtaking views.  I wouldn’t say that the venue dictates how much coverage an event receives, but it always contributes to our high-quality productions and is a vital part of our storytelling throughout an event.
 

GS: Speaking of the PGA Tour, how do they feel about their partner network showing a rival tour on NBC?

MM: It's interesting when you look at how the schedule lays out; because the Scottish Open finishes on NBC, Golf Channel is able to air early coverage of the John Deere Classic. And the Scottish Open provides a lead-in to the U.S. Senior Open on NBC that afternoon.  So we are actually able to give more exposure to each event. While it's an overused cliché that I can't believe I'm actually going to use, but this truly is a win-win. If this line-up of events gets fans excited about watching more golf, it’s easy to see the potential and longterm positive effects that simple new approaches like this can have for the game.

Golf Channel: 124,000 Viewers Per Minute In 2nd Quarter '13

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For Immediate Release:

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 8, 2013) – Golf Channel continues to carry momentum after marking 2012 as the most-watched year ever and first quarter 2013 posting the most-watched quarter ever by wrapping June with the most-watched second quarter in network history. Second quarter reached nearly 29 million unique viewers.
 
For 24-hour Total Day (6AM-6AM), 124,000 average viewers per minute were tuned into Golf Channel in second quarter 2013, representing an 8% year-over-year increase compared to second quarter 2012, 39% vs. second quarter 2011 and 44% vs. second quarter 2010, according to data released by the Nielsen Company.
 
The record numbers in second quarter 2013 are built off Golf Channel’s viewership momentum in 2012, which drove Golf Channel’s status as the fastest-growing network on U.S. television since joining the NBC Sports Group (among networks serving 80 million or more homes throughout that span).
 
HIGHLIGHTS FROM JUNE:
· June 2013 logged the network’s most-viewed June mark with almost 18 million unique viewers.
· Golf Channel’s LIVE FROM THE U.S. OPEN and MORNING DRIVE drove the network to its most-watched U.S. Open Week for an East Coast venue.
· The week of the U.S. Open, MORNING DRIVE reached almost 2 million unique viewers, setting a new weekly high for the daily morning show in 2013.

GOLFCHANNEL.COM AND GOLF CHANNEL MOBILE POSTS RECORD TRAFFIC
Golf Channel’s digital presence experienced its best quarter ever with GolfChannel.com and Golf Channel mobile pulling in record numbers for unique visitors and page views. GolfChannel.com was up 26% in unique visitors and 39% in page views vs. second quarter 2012, while Golf Channel Mobile was up 47% in unique visitors and 76% in page views vs. second quarter 2012.  Contributing to these record numbers was GolfChannel.com’s and Golf Channel Mobile’s best month ever in June for unique visitors.  This was driven by GolfChannel.com’s and Golf Channel Mobile’s best month ever in June for unique visitors.

NBC Hinting At Something In Delineating Between East Coast U.S. Open Vs. West Coast U.S. Open?

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When they make the press release distinction of an East Coast U.S. Open while highlighting ratings, one has to wonder if...

A) The network whose contract is up in 2014 is suggesting they would like to play fewer  East Coast U.S. Opens compared to those in the dreaded West where the weather is better and prime time viewing across much of the land boosts the numbers, or...

B) The network whose contract is up in 2014 is suggesting they should pay less for East Coast U.S. Opens compared to those in the dreaded West where the weather is better and prime time viewing across much of the land boosts the numbers.

There are only two West Coast U.S. Opens on the current docket from 2014 to 2020.

Anyway, just a thought.

The final 2013 East Coast U.S. Open ratings...For Immediate Release:

MOST-VIEWED EAST COAST U.S. OPEN FOR GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC IN SIX YEARS
 
ORLANDO, Fla. (June 20, 2013) – GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s tournament coverage and Golf Channel’s news programming scored record audiences for the USGA’s U.S. Open, America’s National Golf Championship, which was held last week at the historic Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia.  GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s weekend tournament coverage was the most-watched East Coast U.S. Open in six years (since 2007 at Oakmont Country Club), while Golf Channel posted the network’s most-watched U.S. Open Week ever for an East Coast event (second most-watched U.S. Open Week of all-time behind last year’s event at The Olympic Club in San Francisco), according to data released today by The Nielsen Company.
 
“With this year’s U.S. Open, the USGA created a complete test of golf, as well as reintroduced the historic Merion Golf Club to fans worldwide,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “Our marketing and promotional teams, combined with Tommy Roy and our exceptional production team, throughout the week on Golf Channel and NBC gave fans a great viewing experience of our national championship.”
 
NBC Sports Group’s comprehensive coverage of the U.S. Open was highlighted by:
 
GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC Weekend Coverage:
·         GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s final round coverage on Sunday delivered 8.4 million average viewers (5.4 rating), making it the best East Coast final round at the U.S. Open since 2007 at Oakmont Country Club and +14% more than 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club (4.5).
·         GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s final round coverage peaked with 13.7 million average viewers (8.4 rating) on Sunday from 7-7:30 p.m. ET.
·         GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s Weekend Coverage delivered 6.8 million average viewers, making it the most-watched East Coast U.S. Open since 2007 at Oakmont Country Club.
·         GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s Weekend Coverage reached 31 million viewers.
·         GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s third round coverage on Saturday delivered 5.4 million average viewers (3.7 rating), which was the best East Coast U.S. Open third round since 2007 at Oakmont Country Club and was +17% over 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club (3.1).
·         GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s early round coverage on Thursday from 3-5 p.m. ET delivered 2.45 million average viewers (1.8 rating).  This was +34% more than 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club and was the most-watched Thursday East Coast U.S. Open coverage since 2005 at Pinehurst.
·         GOLF CHANNEL ON NBC’s early round coverage on Friday from 3-5 p.m. ET delivered 2.79 million average viewers (2.0 rating).  This was +52% more than 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club and was the most-watched Friday East Coast U.S. Open coverage since 2009 at Bethpage Black.
 
Golf Channel LIVE FROM THE U.S. OPEN Week:
·         LIVE FROM THE U.S. OPEN drove Golf Channel to its second most-watched U.S. Open Week of all time, behind last year’s event at The Olympic Club. This also represents the most-watched U.S. Open Week for Golf Channel from any East Coast venue.
·         Golf Channel reached 9.1 million viewers across last week, +24% vs. 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club.
·         LIVE FROM THE U.S. OPEN programming reached more than 7 million total viewers for the week (+15% vs. 2011).
·         MORNING DRIVE content reached almost 2 million viewers (1.9mil) – setting a new weekly high for the daily morning show in 2013.
·         LEE TREVINO: AN AMERICAN CHAMPION, which showcased the 1971 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club, has reached 1.4 million viewers to date with premieres on NBC on Sunday, June 9 and Golf Channel on Monday, June 17, making it the most-viewed Golf Channel-produced documentary in 2013.
 
GolfChannel.com’s and Golf Channel Mobile’s Coverage of U.S. Open:
·         GolfChannel.com scored its most-clicked week ever for page views (14.98 million, +56% YOY), unique visitors (2.37 million, +12% YOY), and video starts (2.84 million, +358% YOY).
·         Golf Channel Mobile scored its second most-clicked week ever for page views (10.17 million, +35% YOY) and unique visitors (440K, +36% YOY).