Editing Golf Channel (section)

== History ==
The idea of a 24-hour golf network came from media entrepreneur Joseph E. Gibbs of [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]], [[Alabama]],<ref name="bmptfh">{{cite news|last=Newberry|first=Paul|date=June 28, 1993|title=Birmingham man plans 24-hour golf channel|page=B1|newspaper=Gadsden Times|agency=Associated Press|location=Gadsden, AL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=W8IfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ONgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4910%2C3596423}}</ref> who first thought of such a concept in 1991.<ref name="gccfdrr">{{cite news|date=October 17, 2001|title=Golf Channel co-founder resigns|page=7D|newspaper=Herald-Tribune|agency=Associated Press|location=Sarasota, FL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YVMhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=74QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4793%2C1683828}}</ref> Gibbs felt there was enough interest in golf among the public to support such a network, and commissioned a [[Gallup Poll]] to see if his instincts were correct. With the support of the polling behind him, Gibbs and legendary golfer Arnold Palmer then secured $80 million in financing from several cable television providers (including [[Adelphia Communications Corporation]], [[Cablevision Industries]], [[Comcast]], [[Continental Cablevision]], [[Advance Publications|Newhouse]], and the [[Times Mirror Company]]) to launch the network, which was among the first subscription networks developed to cover one singular sport.

Announced in February 1993,<ref name=cgchrwk>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jYJKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zZMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4708%2C2892712 |newspaper=Sunday Telegraph |location=Nashua, NH|title=Can Golf Channel really work? |last=Estes |first=Cary |agency=Scripps Howard News Service |date=June 13, 1993 |page=C7 }}</ref><ref name=ptsgch>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xWdKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=35MMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3262%2C2074177 |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Nashua, NH |agency=Associated Press |title=Palmer to start golf channel |date=February 11, 1993 |page=13 }}</ref><ref name="atcgctcs">{{cite news|last=Winfrey|first=Lee|date=May 13, 1993|title=Around-the-clock golf coming to cable soon|page=3C|newspaper=The News|agency=Knight-Ridder Newspapers|location=Boca Raton, FL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hNUxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=u40DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2749%2C6978038}}</ref> the launch date was targeted for May 1994;<ref name=cgnopwt/> and it was launched on January 17, 1995, as '''The Golf Channel''' with a ceremonial flip of the switch by co-founder [[Arnold Palmer]].<ref name="pialnwk">{{cite news|date=January 18, 1995|title=Palmer introduces all-golf network|page=3C|newspaper=Gainesville Sun|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BENWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kuoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2421%2C4253470}}</ref><ref name=tgchhta>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PElWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MesDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6506%2C6191128 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=wire services |title=The Golf Channel hits the air |date=January 27, 1995 |page=2F}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121105164244/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16041231.html Winfrey, Lee. "Golf Channel tees off Tuesday, joining History Channel as new cable fare"], [[Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service]], January 16, 1995.</ref> The first live tournament the channel televised was the [[Dubai Desert Classic]], held January 19–22. Originally a premium channel with limited subscribers,<ref name=strggc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p0cxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZgMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2545%2C1713580 |newspaper=Toledo Blade |title=Struggling golf channel slashes price structure |date=September 5, 1995 |page=32 }}</ref> it retooled in September 1995 to be part of basic-tier pay TV to reach more viewers, and ratings rapidly increased.<ref name=thgchmbhts>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1RgOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hn0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7128%2C3529870 |newspaper=Daily Courier |location=Prescott, AZ |agency=Associated Press |last=Sirak |first=Ron |title=The Golf Channel might be here to stay |date=February 29, 1996 |page=10A}}</ref> In 1996, [[Fox Cable Networks]] acquired a minority stake in the channel for $50 million.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Dempsey|first=John|date=May 23, 2001|title=Fox Cable, Comcast race for channels|url=https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/fox-cable-comcast-race-for-channels-1117799894/|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Farrell|first=Mike|title=Golf, Outdoor Stakes Sold In Fox's Speedvision Race|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/golf-outdoor-stakes-sold-foxs-speedvision-race-132039|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Multichannel|language=en-us}}</ref>

From 1999 to 2001, Golf Channel held part of the [[PGA Tour]]'s cable rights for early-round coverage. To boost their availability, Golf Channel reached an agreement with [[Fox Sports Networks]] (FSN) to air [[simulcast]]s of the coverage. In 2002, Golf Channel lost its rights to the main PGA Tour, but gained rights to the developmental [[Buy.com Tour]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 12, 1997|title=Fox Gets Left Out as PGA Signs Four-Year TV Deal|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-12-sp-58044-story.html|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Doug|date=August 12, 2000|title=The Golf Channel becomes Tiger TV|url=https://www.registercitizen.com/news/article/The-Golf-Channel-becomes-Tiger-TV-12137179.php|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=The Register Citizen}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Barron|first=David|date=July 16, 2001|title=PGA Tour signs lucrative TV rights deals|url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/PGA-Tour-signs-lucrative-TV-rights-deals-2029651.php|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Houston Chronicle}}</ref>

=== Acquisition by Comcast ===
In 2001, Fox sold its 30.9% stake in Golf Channel, as well as its stake in [[NBCSN|Outdoor Life Network]], to minority owner [[Comcast]] as part of a larger transaction by Fox to acquire Comcast's stake in [[Speedvision]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In December 2003, Comcast acquired the remaining 8.6% stake of Golf Channel it did not already own from the [[Tribune Company]], giving it full ownership.<ref name="hollywoodreporter.com">{{Cite web|title=Golf Channel swings into the big time|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/golf-channel-swings-big-time-128418|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 20, 2007 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=December 12, 2003|title=Company News; Comcast Buys Tribune's Stake in Golf Channel|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|language=en-US|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/12/business/company-news-comcast-buys-tribune-s-stake-in-golf-channel.html|access-date=June 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In January 2007, Golf Channel became the exclusive cable broadcaster of the PGA Tour as part of a new 15-year contract, replacing [[Golf on ESPN|ESPN]] and [[USA Network]]. The contract included early-round coverage of all official money events, and 13 events per-season carried exclusively by the network. By then, Golf Channel had carriage in 75 million homes.<ref name="hollywoodreporter.com"/> It also simplified its branding, dropping the [[Article (grammar)|article]] ''The'' from its on-air name.<ref name=ttupera>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HJNPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OCUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6392%2C1831940 |newspaper=Times-News |location=Hendersonville, NC |agency=Cox News Service |last=Awtrey |first=Stan |title=Tour tees up era on Golf Channel |date=January 10, 2007 |page=5E }}</ref>

Concurrently, Comcast also launched '''Versus/Golf HD''', a [[1080i]] [[High-definition television|high definition]] channel featuring programming from Golf Channel and sister network [[NBCSN|Versus]]. Golf Channel programming was broadcast during the daytime hours, and Versus programming was broadcast during the evening and primetime hours. This arrangement ended in December 2008, when both networks launched their own 24-hour high-definition simulcasts.<ref>{{cite web|last=Moss|first=Linda|title=Comcast To Launch Three HD Nets, Including E!|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/133676-Comcast_To_Launch_Three_HD_Nets_Including_E_.php|access-date=August 20, 2011|publisher=Multichannel News}}</ref>

In March 2008, Comcast acquired the online golf reservation platform [[GolfNow]]. It was re-located to Golf Channel's headquarters in Orlando.<ref name=businessinsider-golfnow>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/2008/3/comcast-buying-golfnow-com| title=Comcast Buying GolfNow.com| author=Peter Kafka| date=March 3, 2008| publisher=Business Insider| access-date=August 1, 2014}}</ref><ref name=areadevelop>{{cite web| url=http://www.areadevelopment.com/newsItems/7-31-2013/golf-channel-world-headquarters-expansion-orlando-florida348922.shtml |title=Golf Channel Invests $1.9 Million To Expand Its Orlando, Florida, Headquarters| date=July 31, 2013| publisher=Area Development| access-date=August 1, 2014}}</ref>

=== Merger with NBC Sports ===
In January 2011, Comcast [[Acquisition of NBC Universal by Comcast|acquired]] a 51% majority stake in [[NBC Universal]] from [[General Electric]]. As a result of the re-alignment of Comcast's existing properties into NBC Universal, Golf Channel and sister sports network [[NBC Sports Network|Versus]] were subsumed by a restructured [[NBC Sports]] division. On-air synergies between NBC's existing production unit began to take effect in February 2011 at the [[2011 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship|WGC Match Play Championship]], when NBC's golf telecasts took on the Golf Channel branding as "[[Golf Channel on NBC]]", in a similar manner to [[ESPN on ABC|ESPN's co-branding of sports output on ABC]]. NBC Sports personalities could now appear on Golf Channel, and former NBC Sports senior vice president [[Mike McCarley]] took over as the network's new head. The network also adopted an amended logo featuring the [[NBC peacock]].<ref name=nbc-golfchannel>{{cite web|last=Renyolds|first=Mike|title=McCarley To Head Golf Channel, Davis Out At Versus In NBC Sports Group Reorg: Sources|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/463313-McCarley_To_Head_Golf_Channel_Davis_Out_At_Versus_In_NBC_Sports_Group_Reorg_Sources.php|publisher=Multichannel News|access-date=February 2, 2011|archive-date=February 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204193426/http://www.multichannel.com/article/463313-McCarley_To_Head_Golf_Channel_Davis_Out_At_Versus_In_NBC_Sports_Group_Reorg_Sources.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In December 2013, Golf Channel unveiled a new logo, implemented in May 2014 to coincide with the [[2014 Players Championship]]. The new logo replaces the "swinging G" emblem that had been used since the network's launch with a [[wordmark]] alongside the NBC peacock. The new logo was meant to provide a unified brand across Golf Channel's associated properties and services.<ref name="deadline-newlogo">{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2013/12/nbcus-golf-channel-unveils-new-logo/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219061519/http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/nbcus-golf-channel-unveils-new-logo/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 19, 2013|title=NBCU's Golf Channel Unveils New Logo|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=December 16, 2013|access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> That month, it also partnered with [[Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio]] to feature audio simulcasts of its studio programming.<ref>{{Cite news |title=SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio Adds Golf Channel Programming |language=en-us |work=Radio World |url=https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/siriusxm-pga-tour-radio-adds-golf-channel-programming |access-date=November 18, 2018}}</ref>

In 2014, Golf Channel acquired rights to the [[NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship]]. In 2015, it also began to broadcast the [[NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships]]. In 2017, Golf Channel extended its rights to the tournaments through 2029.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2017 |title=NCAA agrees long-term Golf Channel extension |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/ncaa-agrees-long-term-golf-channel-extension/ |access-date=May 14, 2022 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On June 8, 2015, it was announced that NBC Sports had acquired rights to [[The Open Championship]] beginning in 2017 under a 12-year deal;<ref name=sbj-nbcbritishopen/> after former broadcaster [[ESPN]] opted out of the final year of rights, NBC began coverage in [[2016 Open Championship|2016]] instead.<ref name=sbj-nbcopenearly>{{cite news |title=NBC getting British Open a year early |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/10/12/Media/NBC-Open.aspx |access-date=October 12, 2015 |work=Sports Business Journal |first=John |last=Ourand |date=October 12, 2015}}</ref> Early round coverage is aired by Golf Channel, which marked the first time ever that Golf Channel had ever broadcast one of the four [[Men's major golf championships]].<ref name=sbj-nbcbritishopen>{{cite web|title=NBC, Golf Channel ending ABC/ESPN British Open reign |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/06/08/Media/British-Open.aspx|website=Sports Business Journal|date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=June 8, 2015}}</ref> On May 3, 2016, NBC announced that Golf Channel would air the bulk of the [[Golf at the Summer Olympics|men's and women's golf tournaments]] for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]], covering up to 300 hours of the tourney, with 130 of those hours live.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-television-golfchannel-idUSKCN0XU2DG|title=Golf Channel unveils Olympics plans; NBC says 'no shows' to have regrets|last=Baker|first=Liana|date=May 3, 2016|publisher=Reuters|access-date=May 9, 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, Golf Channel acquired the World Long Drivers Association, organizer of the [[World Long Drive Championships]]; coverage of its events were subsequently added to the network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/03/27/Media/Long-drive.aspx|title=Golf Channel isn't shorting Long Drive|website=Sports Business Journal|date=March 27, 2017 |language=en|access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> In 2017, Golf Channel acquired Revolution Golf, an online provider of golf instructional materials.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2017/08/07/Media/Revolution-Golf.aspx|title=NBC/Golf Channel Acquires Digital Video Instruction Company Revolution Golf|date=August 7, 2017}}</ref>

January 14, 2018, broadcast technicians represented by IATSE went on strike affecting tournament coverage for the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii, Web.com from the Bamahas and Diamond Resorts Invitational in Orlando. Ten days later the striking workers returned to work after a new contract was ratified on January 24, 2018. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/22096013/golf-channel-cameramen-walk-coverage-amid-sony-open|title=Golf Channel Cameramen Walk Amid Coverage of Sony Open|date=January 14, 2018|access-date=January 14, 2018|agency=ESPN}}</ref>

In February 2019, Golf Channel announced a new subscription service known as GolfPass. The service will feature a variety of content, including a streaming library of archive content, instructional content, as well as special offers (such as credit for free round of golf per-year, and a premium tier offering additional discounts). [[Rory McIlroy]] will also be involved in the service, hosting new instructional content for GolfPass, as well as an autobiographical web series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/05/nbc-sports-rory-mcilroy-golfpass-streaming/|title=NBC Sports and Rory McIlroy launch a streaming service for golf nuts|website=Engadget|date=February 5, 2019 |language=en|access-date=February 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/golf/rory-mcilroy-nbc-golfpass-subscription-service.html|title=Rory McIlroy teams with NBC Sports for GOLFPASS, a hybrid digital content and lifestyle subscription service|date=February 5, 2019|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US|access-date=February 6, 2019}}</ref>

In February 2020, it was reported that Golf Channel would consolidate its television operations with the remainder of NBC Sports at its facilities in [[Stamford, Connecticut]], in a move expected to occur over the next 12 to 18 months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westfaironline.com/121849/nbc-moving-golf-channel-hq-from-orlando-to-stamford/|title=NBC moving Golf Channel HQ from Orlando to Stamford|last=Zimmerman|first=Kevin|date=March 3, 2020|website=Westfair Communications|language=en-US|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> The GolfNow and GolfPass services will continue to primarily operate from Orlando. With the move to Stamford, Golf Channel also ended its long-time morning show ''Morning Drive'', replacing it with the new midday show ''Golf Today'' from Stamford beginning January 4, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Golf Channel replaces 'Morning Drive' with new show, adds Shane Bacon to team|url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/golf-channel-new-program-today-shane-bacon|access-date=January 3, 2021|website=Golf Digest|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=December 20, 2020|title=End of the road: Golf Channel says goodbye to 'Morning Drive'|url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2020/12/20/golf-channel-morning-drive-end-of-the-road/|access-date=January 3, 2021|website=Golfweek|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2021, amid the renewal of NBC Sports' rights to the circuit, and the upcoming shutdown of long-time sister network [[NBCSN]] (the former Versus), NBCUniversal began to put a greater emphasis on Golf Channel's rights to the PGA Tour. That November, it was announced that early-round coverage of the Open Championship, U.S. Open (which moved to Golf Channel after NBC re-acquired the rights to USGA tournaments in 2020), and their women's counterparts, would move to [[USA Network]] in 2022.<ref name=":2" /> At the [[2022 Players Championship]], Golf Channel adopted a special logo used on-air during PGA Tour telecasts and studio programming, which is co-branded with elements of the PGA Tour logo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Golf Channel to unveil new PGA Tour-inspired logo |url=https://golf.com/news/golf-channel-new-logo-pga-tour/ |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=Golf |date=March 7, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Golf Channel introduces combined PGA Tour logo for select coverage |url=https://www.newscaststudio.com/2022/03/09/golf-channel-logo-pga-tour/?og=1 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=NewscastStudio | date=March 9, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>