NBC Promising "Most Live Coverage Ever" For The Open

140 hours of The Open...night owls rejoice!

For Immediate Release:

NBC SPORTS TO DELIVER MOST LIVE COVERAGE EVER FOR A MAJOR AT THE 145TH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, JULY 14-17

From First Tee Shot to Final Putt, NBC Sports’ Live Coverage Includes Golf Channel’s First-Ever Telecast of a Men’s Major Championship and Return of The Open to Broadcast Television on NBC

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 17, 2016) – With the most live hours of tournament coverage ever dedicated to one of golf’s major championships, The R&A and NBC Sports Group’s long-term media partnership kicks off its inaugural year with a record number of planned programming hours. The 145TH Open will return to U.S. live broadcast coverage through Golf Channel and NBC’s nearly 140 hours of television coverage from Royal Troon Golf Club throughout the week. It also will represent Golf Channel’s first coverage of a men’s major championship.

“The unprecedented coverage of The Open will provide a unique showcase of the world’s best golfers on an iconic links course, navigating the often dramatic weather conditions and ultimately adding to the history that embodies golf’s original championship,” said Mike McCarley, President, Golf, NBC Sports Group. “We’re honored to provide complete coverage of The Open for the first time on Golf Channel and NBC. Fans will be able to see the opening tee shot through the final putt, culminating with the ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’ raising the Claret Jug.”

“We are delighted to be working with NBC Sports Group and are looking forward to their comprehensive coverage of The 145TH Open,” said Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A. “Our fans in the United States will be able to enjoy every shot over the four days of the Championship and will be part of a true celebration of golf at Royal Troon.”

NBC Sports Group Tournament Coverage: 78.5 Total Hours: NBC Sports Group will devote 49.5 live hours of tournament coverage to The 145TH Open from July 14-17, including 14.5 live hours on Golf Channel over each of the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday; 10.5 live hours across Golf Channel and NBC during the third round on Saturday; and 10 live hours across Golf Channel and NBC during the final round on Sunday. In total, NBC Sports Group will provide 78.5 hours, including the live coverage of all four rounds, as well as two highlight specials on NBC from 4-6 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday, and encore presentations of each round on Golf Channel. All coverage will be streamed via NBC Sports Live Extra and Golf Live Extra, and additional digital extensions will be announced at a later date.

Golf Channel’s Wraparound News with Golf Central Live From The Open: 59 Total Hours: Golf Channel’s signature news programs, Morning Drive and Golf Central Live From The Open, will provide 31.5 live hours of comprehensive news coverage the week of The Open. Golf Central’s Live From The Open will be onsite throughout the week with 25.5 live hours from Royal Troon, which will be hosting The Open for the ninth time in its history. Morning Drive will kick things off from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. ET before The Open’s first round to lead into live coverage of the opening tee shot. Coverage will be complemented by comprehensive news and highlights via NBC Sports Digital, Golf Channel Digital and social media platforms throughout the week.

Tournament Team: In order to cover this unprecedented coverage of a major championship, Johnny Miller (1976 Open Champion), Nick Faldo (1987, 1990, 1992 Open Champion) and Frank Nobilo will rotate as lead analyst in the 18th tower. In addition, a team of NBC Sports’ analysts will contribute to the nearly 50 hours of coverage, including David Feherty, Peter Jacobson, Gary Koch, Roger Maltbie, Mark Rolfing, Tom Abbott, Notah Begay, Billy Ray Brown, Curt Byrum, and Jerry Foltz. And Dan Hicks, Terry Gannon, Jimmy Roberts, Steve Sands and Todd Lewis will handle announcing and reporting duties.

Update on 2016-05-18 05:54 by Geoff

**Doug Ferguson talks to Golf Channel's Mike McCarley about the number of hours--from first tee shot to Claret Jug ceremony--and also notes the impact on ratings.

“We looked at a lot of different schedules and measurements. We get very scientific with how ratings work,” McCarley said. “But ultimately, we came back to the fact this is a major championship, everyone qualified to be there and they all deserve to be on the air. That’s been a philosophy of (NBC golf producer) Tommy Roy for a long time. We have the resources. We have the personnel. And we think it’s the right thing to do for the fans.”

Did The Tour Leave As Much As A Billion Dollars On The Table?

As we get ready to kick off another unpredictable Players Championship (Sean Martin on the amazingly wild track records at TPC for top players even those who have played well here), Cameron Morfit talks to a few folks about the challenges facing likely incoming Commissioner Jay Monahan.

In the short term, Morfit outlines how Miami, Trump and the WGC figure to be a huge matter, as will FedEx in 2017 if Commissioner Reset isn't able to secure a new deal before he hands over his NetJets card.

But as I've outlined in a few posts, the tour seems to be building some leverage with television networks for the next deal with various media ventures. Morfit's reporting suggests what I suspected: the tour is operating with a bit of a chip on its shoulder for having been out negotiated by Comcast when signing for 15 years to be on Golf Channel exclusivity with no out clause, even as the network takes on the money losing leftovers like the Web.com and Champions Tours.

Ogilvie, who was on the policy board when the Tour's 15-year deal with Golf Channel was announced in 2006, says Monahan will have to shore up the main TV deal, which he says is costing players money. Ogilvie's assessment is based on recent sports-television deals, specifically the 12-year Fox-USGA pact, which was said to be worth around $100 million a year when it was announced in '13.

"The Tour left $700 million to $1 billion on the table when it did the deal with Golf Channel," Ogilvie says. "There's been astronomical growth since then, and with 20/20 hindsight Comcast got a sweetheart deal. Tim went for what was safe, and you can't fault him for that."

Pre-20/20 hindsight, the deal got all early rounds on TV, which as I recall, was a pretty big deal and has been sensational for the players. No one could have seen rights fees going the way they did, so the tour has nothing to be bitter about. Except that the rights craze may be subsiding and nets like ESPN and Fox are likely not going to be bidding on any golf.

Golf Boosting U.S. Olympic-Related Ad Spending By 10%?

Paresh Dave and Steve Battaglio of the LA Times detail some particulars of the NBC-Snapchat partnership announced for the 2016 Rio Olympic games.

Deep in the story there was this interesting factoid that suggests golf is having an impact on the bottom line. Oh, and rugby too, I guess:

NBC already has topped $1 billion in ad sales for this year's Olympics, a mark it passed only just before the opening ceremony in 2012. The rights to broadcast from Rio de Janeiro cost NBC an estimated $1.2 billion.

The Olympics are expected to boost overall spending on U.S. television ads by $703 million in 2016, or about 10% more than the games did in 2012, according to ad research firm Magna Global. The firm attributed the increase to the addition of two sports (golf and rugby) to the games this year.

Fox Revamps, Reduces Broadcast Team For 2016 U.S. Open

As remarkable as Fox Sports was in 2015 with its first year golf coverage--so says the USGA President--they've overhauled and shrunken their 2016 announce team.

Besides Greg Norman's retirement after just a year and Corey Pavin not returning, Awful Announcing points out some notable new faces, including Paul Azinger, Curtis Strange, Ken Brown and Jaime Diaz.

And this:

Furthermore, Oakmont director of golf Bob Ford will provide special insights on the course for the US Open broadcast from the historic venue.

Perhaps the most notable thing to mention on the full Fox lineup outside of the Azinger-Norman switch is the absence of Fox NFL Sunday host Curt Menefee, who served as the network’s studio host for the US Open, and analyst Tom Weiskopf.

Mike Tirico To NBC; The Open Championship On His List

John Ourand reports that the hardest working man in sports TV--Mike Tirico--is leaving ESPN for NBC and it sounds like the Olympics and some golf were part of the draw.

With Dan Hicks doing Olympic swimming, Tirico could be in line to host the Olympic golf coverage and also serve as host of The Open Championship coverage on NBC, an event he made no secret about adoring during his ESPN years. His ESPN contract is up this summer, so it's hard to say when his new affiliation begins.

Spieth Effect? Heritage Ratings Worst Since Wind-Delayed Torrey

As Sports Media Watch points out, the Heritage Classic numbers dropped significantly from last year when Jordan Spieth made the weekend after winning the Masters.

This made me wonder if we are seeing a Spieth effect when he contends.

So far, the numbers, posted by Douglas Pucci at Awful Announcing and SportsTVRatings, do not suggest a Spieth bump.

CBS's Heritage numbers looked like this:

-1.6 Sunday rating with 2.5 million average viewers (down 30% but up 23% from 2014).

-1.1 Saturday ratings with 1.7 million average audience, down 21% and down 15% 2014).

Weekday and weekend coverage on Golf Channel didn't change much except for a noticeable drop Sunday morning:

-353,000 average Thursday 2015
-381,000 average Thursday 2016

-429,000 viewer average Friday 2016
-420,000 viewer average Friday 2015

-550,000 average Saturday 2015
-502,000 average Saturday 2016

-898,000 average Sunday 2015
-622,000 average Sunday 2016

Video: Watch Brandel Get A Bit Weepy Over Sidekick Frank

Marksbury!

Who knew Jessica could draw blood in the form of tears, especially when the discussion was over a questionable Rules of Golf drop? Either way, nice work by Golf.com's host to bring Brandel Chamblee to tears over his admiration ("He's doing his job") for Frank Nobilo's commentary during the Tiger drop debacle.

To recap, Chamblee wanted Tiger to WD from the 2013 Masters but Frank would have none of it. The two later worked out any remaining grievances at the 2014 PGA with a sensational on-air manspat.

Anyway, this lovely fireside chat over Old Fashioned's (or are those Arnold Palmer's?) is not embeddable and you'll have to deal with the seasickness-inducing page that is Golf.com, but you should be able to get it working here.

"At noon, (Nobilo) came in and sat down and he brought a perspective that I had not thought of. I remember, he was on the air and he was speaking. And it was ... it was just beautiful. I just thought 'that's a great mind.' And to see someone with that passion ... you know, I remember thinking 'He's doing his job.' ... When I see someone, in anything, that is passionate about what they're doing, it moves me. And he is and that's why I love working with him."

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh....

Golfweek's Review Of CBS's 2016 Masters Coverage

Martin Kaufmann comes down pretty hard on CBS's 2016 Masters coverage. I can't really speak to what the home viewing was like as The Masters provides amazing monitors that allow us to access multiple feeds. I will say that Lee Westwood's amazing 15th hole eagle chip in that got him within one of Danny Willett took an excruciating amount of time to show.

And there was this, a huge issue in the eyes of most viewers if polls and social media are to be believed about the #1 request of fans. (Apparently they've been using it here since 2013, which would mean they definitely have the club's blessing.)

Beyond that, however, the Masters was noteworthy for its lack of even the most basic technology, such as Protracer. And for all of the talk about the hills and slopes and wild undulations on Augusta National’s greens, we never see any 3-D hole graphics. Similarly, for all of the talk of high winds on Saturday, did we ever see a wind gauge?

Here’s something odd: Sky Sports and the BBC use Protracer and 3-D graphics in their Masters coverage for U.K. viewers. Why is the coverage overseas more sophisticated than what we see in the U.S.?

(A CBS spokeswoman provided no explanation as to why Protracer is not used in the U.S. telecasts.)

Update on 2016-04-11 13:55 by Geoff

**Classic TV Sports with the lowdown on how may shots were shown.

Update on 2016-04-12 01:14 by Geoff

** Peter McCleery also reviews the telecast and also has some issues with the presentation.

4K & VR At The Masters: The Next Traditions Unlike Any Other?

The folks at NEXTVR have been demonstrating the Masters in virtual reality and the technology demonstrates incredible potential to change the way we view sports. Think of it not as a replacement for the traditional telecast, but as the ultimate inside-the-ropes view designed to compliment our appreciation of the action.

The VR app and viewing experience is already pretty simple and affordable. The $100-and-up headsets that will only get better with crisper imagery, portending well for adoption as soon as the content hosts--Augusta National in this case--are willing to allow cameras in more locations.

For its 2016 debut, the VR demo is available to the Masters media and exclusively to Android users with the NextVR app and a headset. For this year's debut, two cameras show a 180-degree, stereoscopic view of the 6th tee and the 16th green (with sound). Move your head left or right, up or down and you get the live view. The sensation suggests you’re there, only without the chance to buy a pimento cheese sandwich.

It’s very easy to imagine a VR approach to Amen Corner Live (II), with cameras at the tees and greens taking us “there” without actually bothering the players or patrons. We could listen in on chats, feel the moment the leader walks up to the 12th tee and get the sensation of being bird just hanging out on a dogwood branch, observing players and caddies as they tackle Amen Corner. 

As for the 4k demo that DirecTV subscribers are enjoying this week if they have a 4k television, the pictures are as stunningly crisp and jaw-dropping as you'd expect.

Given that this is the first-ever major sporting event broadcast this way, the enthusiasm from viewers and already widespread adoption of 4k TV's will hopefully usher in this technology. In a strange paradox, adoption of 4k sets would normally be the issue, but it sounds as if the content providers are a little behind the television makers, perhaps burned one too many times by "next things" that did not pan out.

But 4k is the next iteration of HD and kudos to the Masters for pushing the technology forward.

Gary Player: "I listened to the Golf Channel yesterday, and I've never heard such crap in my life."

After hitting their ceremonial opening shot to commence the 2016 Masters, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player appeared in the press room to talk about the day and some of their favorite memories. (The Masters.com video here.)

This was interesting for the elder-statesman-will-say-the-craziest-things files:

Q.  Could you tell us what your feelings were about Jack's performance in 1986?

    GARY PLAYER:  You know, I've got a different philosophy about sports.  I listened to the Golf Channel yesterday, and I've never heard such crap in my life (laughter).

    I mean, I'm listening to ‑‑

    JACK NICKLAUS:  What was the question?

    GARY PLAYER:  What did I feel when you won the Masters at 46 years of age.

    JACK NICKLAUS:  I'm sorry, okay.

    GARY PLAYER:  I'm listening to Brandel, and I'm listening to ‑‑ what's his name from New Zealand, Frank Nobilo, talking about all the guys, you've got to win in your early 20s, and as you get into your 30s, you're starting to deteriorate.

    Have they no idea what is transpiring with the human being?  Have they have no idea what's taking place in the world today?  They're so oblivious to what's around them.

    So I've always said that a man at 50 would win the Masters and I was ridiculed.  Raymond Floyd needed to birdie No. 17 with a 9‑iron, and he would have won the Masters at 49, nearly 50.  But be that as it may.

    I win the Masters at 42, which I thought was quite impressive.  He comes along and wins it at 46.  But don't forget, Julius Boros, won the PGA at 48.  People forget about these things.

    So it was amazing, it was amazing.  And you know, we are inundated with listening to commentators, all they talk about is long distance off the tee.  Long distance is not what wins golf tournaments.  It's from 100 yards in, because 70 percent of golf is played from 100 yards in.

    Now Ballesteros at the time, remember we had the screens, Ballesteros hits his drive at 15 and I think he's leading Jack at that stage, whatever the case would be, and Ballesteros hits his drive at least 330 yards because he hits his 5‑iron for his second, put it in the water.

    Simultaneously, Jack holes this vital putt at No. 17 which enables him to win, and he wins it at 46.  It was incredible.  It was a marvelous effort, particularly on a tough golf course like this.  But the man was a hell of an athlete, not only at golf but at other sports, as well.

    And it was very, very ‑‑ for me, it was encouraging because I've had a different philosophy on the body and fitness and what the human being is capable of doing, as far as longevity is concerned.

    So I was not surprised because I know what an athlete he was and what we're going to see in the future, we are in our infancy right now.  But what a remarkable effort.  The thing is, coming to the conclusion of it, the world's tendency of thinking you are old playing golf at 40, it changed the whole concept, which is fantastic.

Prayers Answered (For A Week): 1986 Masters Re-broadcast Live!

If you heard us talking about the 1986 Masters on ShackHouse, or have read the many great stories from five years ago on this very website, or you're just looking forward to Tuesday's Golf Channel doc, you probably know that the 1986 Masters is quite possibly modern golf's greatest (three) hours.

I think there is a case to be made that it was also the greatest broadcast moment in Masters history, and maybe sports history. Every announcer spoke from the heart with amazing, Hollywood-scriptmaster succinctness.

There's life in the old bear yet!

The bear has come out of hibernation!

Maybe? YES SIR!

The camera crews captured every key moment. The light was perfect. The protagonists were brilliant, clutch (at times) and diversified.

Producer Frank Chirkinian stuck to his love of leaders hitting shots until caving, even breaking away from key moments to show something live, and finally showing Nicklaus live from the 11th on. It's a masterpiece in every way.

But whether it's Melnyk (Melnyk!), Murphy, Wright, Nantz, Verne or Kenny and Pat, with a 14th hole cameo by McCord (McCord!), the actors all ad-libbed, accentuated and called this historic round to perfection.

So boycott NetFlix for a few days and prep for the 2016 Masters by streaming the greatest Masters of them all courtesy of Masters.com. Enjoy the full 3 hour broadcast for one week.

Watch it exclusively at https://t.co/nsWTJ6lpBJ pic.twitter.com/ps0BgokQey— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 3, 2016

Villages: Charlie Rymer To Grand Marshal July 4th Cart Parade

Morning Drive personality and former PGA Tour player Charlie Rymer has been named Grand Marshal of The Villages’ first ever July 4^th golf cart parade.

Rymer leading a Villages Christmas cart parade. “What a dream come true to lead the brigade of red, white and blue carts celebrating the U.S.A.’s birthday!” Rymer said in a statement. “With over 100,000 residents and some of the coolest carts on the planet, it should be a great day making America great again!”

After the parade and following at least one ice bath, Rymer plans to sign copies of his new pamphlet published in partnership with Kinko’s, “And Then Charlie To Gary: Wit And Wisdom From Morning Drive’s Game Ball Segments.”

The Villages is the world’s largest over-55 community spanning more acreage than Manhattan. The new July 4th affair joins the Christmas cart parade as a signature event where residents dress-up their vehicles in holiday colors.

Just as he did when Rymer has selected to host a previous Christmas cart parade, he will use the platform to discuss two issues he hopes can influence The Villages residents.

“Obviously cart driving safety is always a top topic at The Villages,” Rymer says. “I’ll be wearing a highly-visible seat belt to remind everyone how important it is to wear one and I’ll definitely have an SPF 50 windshield on my cart to reinforce the importance of sun screening.”

Rymer’s other cause is more sensitive, but equally as important to those who live in The Villages.

“We have to have a frank discussion about the use of ED drugs,” Rymer said. “The black market for Viagra and Cialis has led to so many problems in The Villages and I just want to remind folks that it’s an ok discussion to have with your doctors. The side of my cart will have a reminder that generic Viagra is not happening in your lifetimes, so please, please consult a physician and get a prescription.”

Rymer’s appearance will also feature full Golf Central and Morning Drive coverage, as well as a special edition of The Golf Fixx with Michael Breed where Charlie shows you how to outfit your personal golf cart in ways that may help lower your scores.

Golf Channel's Early Season Numbers Up

Here is a little ratings copy and paste job on some interesting For Immediate Release material.

But knowing the number of key demo viewers are watching golf should make your day...

GOLF CHANNEL POSTS FOUR STRAIGHT QUARTERS OF INCREASING VIEWERSHIP GROWTH
 
First Quarter Up 15% on Golf Channel & 28% on NBC vs. 2015
 
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 30, 2016) – Golf Channel continues to build upon its momentum with four consecutive quarters posting year-over-year growth.  Golf Channel’s first quarter in 2016 was up +15% vs. 2015 for viewership, building upon last year’s increasing growth in second quarter of +3%, third quarter of +8%, and fourth quarter of +13%. For 24-hour Total Day (6AM-6AM), 110,000 average viewers per minute were tuned into Golf Channel in the first quarter, representing the 15% year-over-year increase, as well as a 19% increase with people 25-54 (31,000), according to data released by The Nielsen Company.
 
NBC’s PGA TOUR coverage is off to a strong start in 2016 with average viewership +32% and people 25-54 +31%. Through 12 broadcasts, NBC is averaging 2.64 million average viewers and 657,000 people 25-54.*
 
Golf Channel’s first quarter highlights include:

·       Golf Channel’s live golf coverage peaked in first quarter with 1.8 million average viewers on Sunday afternoon during the semifinals of the WGC-Dell Match Play and coverage averaged 1.1 million viewers, the best at this event since 2008.

·       PGA TOUR live coverage on Golf Channel is +4% YOY (483,000 average viewers), +9% with P25-54 (101,000 average viewers)
 
·       Golf Channel’s primetime is +27% (151,000 average viewers), driven in part by the sixth season premiere of Feherty interviewing Jordan Spieth, which is now the most-watched episode of the critically acclaimed series (436,000 average viewers, Live+3 Day).

·       Live coverage of the European Tour was up 65% and LPGA Tour was up 3%.

·       Golf Central saw its strongest first quarter since 2013, up 29% with average viewers and 30% for people 25-54 vs. last year.

·       Morning Drive was up 27% with people 25-54 vs. 2015.