Editing Golf Channel

{{Short description|American television channel devoted to golf}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Golf Channel
| logo = Golf Channel Logo 2018.png
| logo_size = 270
| logo_caption = 
| image = 
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1995|1|17}}
| closed_date = 
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[letterboxed]] [[480i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| owner = [[NBCUniversal]] ([[Comcast]])
| parent = [[NBC Sports Group]]
| country = United States
| language = English
| area = United States<br />Canada<br />Caribbean<br />Europe
| headquarters = Stamford, Connecticut
| former_names =
| replaced = 
| replaced_by = 
| sister_channels = [[NBC]]<br />[[NBC Sports Regional Networks]]<br />[[Universo (TV network)|Universo]]<br />[[CNBC]]<br />[[NBC Sports on USA Network|USA Network]]
| timeshift_service = 
| website = {{url|www.golfchannel.com}}
| online_serv_1 = Service(s)
| online_chan_1 = [[Sling TV]], [[DirecTV Stream]], [[YouTube TV]], [[FuboTV]], [[Hulu with Live TV]]
}}
'''Golf Channel''' (also verbally referred to as simply "Golf" or "NBC Golf") is an American [[sports television]] [[television network|network]] owned by the [[NBC Sports Group]] division of [[NBCUniversal]], a subsidiary of [[Comcast]]. Founded in [[Birmingham, Alabama]],<ref name="cgnopwt">{{cite news|date=June 29, 1993|title=Cable golf channel on par with times|page=2B|newspaper=Victoria Advocate|location=Victoria, TX|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BzdSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=STYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=965%2C252014}}</ref> it is currently based out of NBC Sports' headquarters in [[Stamford, Connecticut]].

The channel focuses on coverage of the sport of [[golf]], including live coverage of tournaments, as well as factual and instructional programming. It is the cable television rightsholder of the [[PGA Tour]], [[LPGA Tour]], and [[PGA European Tour]], and also holds rights to selected [[USGA]] tournaments and the [[NCAA Division I]] golf championships. Since 2016, it has also participated in [[NBC Olympic broadcasts|NBC's coverage of the Summer Olympics]], focusing on its [[golf at the Summer Olympics|golf]] competitions.

Via the Golf Channel unit, Comcast also owns other golf-related businesses, including the course reservation service [[GolfNow]], online golf instruction provider Revolution Golf, and the [[World Long Drive Championship]]. Some of these associated properties operate from the network's former home of [[Orlando, Florida]].

{{As of|2023|12}}, Golf Channel is available to approximately 59,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its 2012 peak of 85,000,000 households.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/u-s-cable-network-households-universe-1990-2023-nielsen-data/|title=U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023|website=wrestlenomics.com|date=May 14, 2024|access-date=July 28, 2019}}</ref>

== 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>

== Programming ==

=== Event coverage ===
Golf Channel is the pay television rightsholder of the [[PGA Tour]], broadcasting live coverage of early rounds, and early window coverage of weekend rounds prior to network television coverage. Some events (particularly, late-season events such as the former [[PGA Tour Fall Series|Fall Series]], and additional events) are broadcast in their entirety by the network. Golf Channel airs primetime encores of each round during PGA Tour events, including network television broadcasts from NBC or CBS where applicable. If the schedule permits, Golf Channel may also provide coverage produced by CBS if weather delays force golf coverage to run past the scheduled window using CBS production staff and graphics. Golf Channel also broadcasts coverage of [[PGA Tour Champions]] and [[Korn Ferry Tour]] events. Outside of events organized by the PGA Tour, Golf Channel also carries coverage of the [[European Tour]], [[LPGA Tour]], and [[Asian Tour]].

Golf Channel was the cable broadcaster of two of the [[Men's major golf championships|men's majors]], including the [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] and other [[USGA]] championships (since June 2020) and the [[Open Championship]] (since 2016, including their [[Women's British Open|women's]] and [[Senior Open Championship|senior men's]] events). In November 2021, it was announced that early round coverage of the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, the U.S. Women's Open, and the Women's British Open, would move to [[USA Network]] beginning in 2022.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2021 |title=NBC Sports to move some USGA, R&A golf programming to USA Network |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2021/11/02/nbc-sports-to-move-some-usga-ra-golf-programming-to-usa-network/ |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=Golfweek |language=en-US}}</ref>

Since 2016, it participates in [[Olympics on NBC|NBCUniversal's coverage of the Summer Olympics]] by covering its [[Golf at the Summer Olympics|golf competitions]]. It has also carried coverage of the [[Ryder Cup]] and [[Solheim Cup]] alongside NBC, and the NCAA Division I [[NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships|Men's]] and [[NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships|Women's]] golf championships.

Since its integration with NBC Sports, Golf Channel has been infrequently used as an overflow channel for non-golf programming, including two games of the [[2018 Stanley Cup playoffs]] (due to programming conflicts with [[USA Network]] and [[CNBC]]), and as part of NBC's "[[Survival Sunday|Championship Sunday]]" effort to televise all matches on the final matchday of the [[Premier League]] soccer season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/05/12/premier-league-finale-live-stream-tv-channel-watch-title-race-man-city-liverpool|title=How to watch all of Premier League's season finales|newspaper=Sports Illustrated|language=en|access-date=June 30, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/nhl/the-devils-lightning-nhl-playoffs-series-will-air-on-golf-channel.html|title=Multiple NHL playoff games will air on Golf Channel, for some reason|date=April 9, 2018|work=Awful Announcing|access-date=April 10, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

===News and analysis ===
*''[[Golf Central]]''
*''Golf Today''

===Factual and reality===
*''[[Feherty (TV series)|Feherty]]''
*''Golf's Greatest Rounds''
*''The Conor Moore Show''
*''Golf Road Trippin' with James Davis''
*''Better Off with Hally Leadbetter''
*''On Tour On Course''

===Instructional===
*''Golf Channel Academy''
*''PGA Tour Champions Learning Center''
*''Playing Lessons''
*''School Of Golf''
*''The Golf Fix''

==Notable personalities==
Golf Channel uses a number of people for tournament, news and instructional programming.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Golf Channel Archives|url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bios/golf-channel/|access-date=January 4, 2021|website=NBC Sports Pressbox|language=en}}</ref>

===Current personalities===
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bios/golf-channel/ |title = Golf Channel Archives - NBC Sports Pressbox}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2023/01/03/brad-faxon-and-smylie-kaufman-join-nbc-sports-2023-golf-commentary-team/ |title = Golf - NBC Sports Pressbox| date=January 3, 2023 }}</ref>

====Hosts / Reporters====
{{div col}}
*[[Tom Abbott]]
*Matt Adams
*Cara Banks
*Grant Boone
*Steve Burkowski
*Jordan Cornette
*[[Kira Kazantsev|Kira K. Dixon]]
*[[Terry Gannon]]
*Damon Hack
*[[Dan Hicks (sportscaster)|Dan Hicks]]
*Rex Hoggard
*Anna Jackson
*Ryan Lavner
*Rich Lerner
*Todd Lewis
*Eamon Lynch
*[[Jimmy Roberts]]
*Amy Rogers
*Brentley Romine
*[[Steve Sands]]
*George Savaricas
*[[Whit Watson]]
{{div col end}}

====Analysts====
{{div col}}
*[[Notah Begay III]]
*[[Amanda Blumenherst]]
*[[Billy Ray Brown]]
*[[Curt Byrum]]
*[[Brandel Chamblee]]
*[[Kay Cockerill]]
*[[John Cook (golfer)|John Cook]]
*[[Brendon De Jonge]]
*[[Graham DeLaet]]
*[[Emilia Migliaccio|Emilia Doran]]
*[[Brad Faxon]]
*[[Jim Gallagher Jr.]]
*[[Tripp Isenhour]]
*[[Peter Jacobsen]]
*Julia Johnson
*[[Smylie Kaufman]]
*[[Kevin Kisner]]
*[[Colt Knost]]
*[[Jim "Bones" Mackay]]
*[[Paige Mackenzie]]
*[[Paul McGinley]]
*[[Frank Nobilo]]
*[[Arron Oberholser]]
*[[Craig Perks]]
*[[Morgan Pressel]]
*[[Mel Reid]]
*[[Mark Rolfing]]
*[[Karen Stupples]]
*[[Johnson Wagner]]
*John Wood
{{div col end}}

===Notable former personalities===
{{div col}}
*[[Brian Anderson (sportscaster)|Brian Anderson]]
*[[Billy Andrade]] (2010–2012)
*Lara Baldesarra (2012–2013)
*[[Adam Barr]]
*[[Michael Breed]]
*[[Ryan Burr]] (2012-2020)
*[[Donna Caponi|Donna Caponi-Byrnes]]
*Lisa Cornwell (2014-2020)
*[[Robert Damron]]
*[[Beth Daniel]] (2007–2010)
*[[Charles Davis (defensive back)|Charles Davis]]
*[[Casey DeSantis]]
*[[Steve Duemig]]
*[[David Feherty]] (2011-2022)
*[[Jerry Foltz]] (1999–2022)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://awfulannouncing.com/golf/jerry-foltz-leaves-golf-channel-for-liv-golf.html | title=Jerry Foltz leaves Golf Channel for LIV Golf | date=June 2, 2022 }}</ref>
*[[Matt Gogel]] (2007-2021)
*[[Jim Gray (sportscaster)|Jim Gray]]
*Brian Hammons (1995–2015)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fairwaysgolf.ca/2015/11/10/brian-hammons-hangs-up-his-mike/|title=Brian Hammons hangs up his mike – Fairways Golf & Travel|date=November 10, 2015 |access-date=December 27, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Trevor Immelman]] (2016–2022)
*[[Kraig Kann]] (1995–2011)
*[[Jim Kelly (sportscaster)|Jim Kelly]]
*Peter Kessler (1995–2002)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sherman |first1=Ed |title=Golf Channel fans teed off at Kessler's exit |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-05-13-0205130205-story.html |access-date=October 13, 2020 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |date=May 13, 2002}}</ref>
*[[Gary Koch]] (1996–2022)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/gary-koch-roger-maltbie-nbc-television-contracts-not-renewed-it-hurts | title='It hurts:' Gary Koch, Roger Maltbie open up about not having their NBC contracts renewed for 2023 }}</ref>
*[[Erik Kuselias]] (2011–2012)
*[[Justin Leonard]] (2015–2022)
*[[Ann Liguori]]
*[[Nancy Lopez]]
*[[Mark Lye]]
*[[Andrew Magee]]
*[[John Mahaffey]] (2004–2019)
*[[Roger Maltbie]] (1991–2022)
*Chantel McCabe
*[[Win McMurry]]
*[[Johnny Miller]] (2011–2019)
*Jennifer Mills (1995–2006)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoggard |first1=Rex |title=2006: Anchor away, Jennifer Mills |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2006/01/28/2006-anchor-away-jennifer-mills/ |access-date=October 13, 2020 |work=Golfweek |publisher=Gannett |date=January 28, 2006}}</ref>
*[[Peter Oosterhuis]] (1995–2014)
*[[Philip Parkin|Phil Parkin]] (2006–2015)
*[[Dottie Pepper]] (2005–2012)
*[[Ahmad Rashad]] (2013)
*[[Tim Rosaforte]] (2007–2019)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.golfchannel.com/news/tim-rosaforte-veteran-writer-and-golf-channel-insider-dies-after-alzheimers-battle | title=Tim Rosaforte, veteran writer and Golf Channel 'insider,' dies after Alzheimer's battle | date=January 12, 2022 }}</ref>
*[[Charlie Rymer]]
*Kristina Shalhoup
*[[Val Skinner]] (2002–2013)
*Holly Sonders (2011–2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.golfchannel.com/article/golf-central-blog/holly-sonders-leaving-golf-channel|title=Holly Sonders Leaving Golf Channel|website=Golf Channel|access-date=December 27, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Stephanie Sparks]] (2000–2013)
*[[Kathryn Tappen]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://golf.com/news/nbc-golf-kathryn-tappen-lead-interviewer/ | title=Hot Mic: NBC Golf adds Kathryn Tappen as lead interviewer for 2022 | date=November 17, 2021 }}</ref> (2022)
*[[Brian Tennyson]]
*[[Lauren Thompson]] (2008–2020)
*[[Kelly Tilghman]]
*[[Ted Tryba]]
*[[Bob Valvano]]
*[[Scott Van Pelt]] (1995–2000)
*[[Lanny Wadkins]]
{{div col end}}

==Viewership==
For the month of October 2013, Golf Channel averaged a daily viewership of 84,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/30/nbcsn-golf-channel-sunday-night-football-lead-major-october-surge-for-nbc-sports-group-viewership/212620/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101230516/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/30/nbcsn-golf-channel-sunday-night-football-lead-major-october-surge-for-nbc-sports-group-viewership/212620/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |title=NBCSN, Golf Channel & 'Sunday Night Football' Lead Major October Surge for NBC Sports Group Viewership|work=Zap2it |date=October 30, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref>

==International version==
===Canada===
The Golf Channel is also available in Canada on most cable and satellite providers, as it is authorized for carriage as a foreign cable television service by the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]]. While it mostly airs the American feed, live events coverage is subject to blackouts due to [[The Sports Network|TSN]] holding many of its broadcasting rights domestically. Contrarily, the Canadian feed carries coverage of some events (particularly early round coverage of The Open Championship) whose rights are not owned by a Canadian network (TSN only holds rights to NBC's network coverage of the Open), but became unavailable in the country due to their move to USA Network and/or Peacock. 
=== Poland ===
Golf Channel Poland ([[Poland|Polish]] Golf Channel Polska) is licensed version of the network owned by MWE Networks launched on March 18, 2017.

===Golf Channel UK===
A British version of the channel called Golf Channel UK was operated by sporting goods retailer [[JJB Sports]], and was available on the [[BSkyB]] satellite service. It broadcast many of the programs seen on the U.S. channel, but was unable to attract a viable audience as it offered few live golf tournaments; the channel shut down on December 31, 2007.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

Since the acquisition of [[Sky plc]] by Comcast in late-2018, NBC Sports properties have begun to increase their collaboration with [[Sky Sports]] for expanded coverage of relevant events; Golf Channel and Sky Sports Golf trialed on-air talent sharing and co-productions at the [[2019 Players Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/pga-players-championship-simulcast-nbc-sky-sports|title=The Players Championship to be simulcast on NBC Sports and Sky Sports|website=SportsPro|date=March 12, 2019 |access-date=March 13, 2019}}</ref>

===Golf Channel Latin America===
The Latin American version of the Golf Channel was launched in 2006 as a [[DirecTV]] joint venture, and was acquired from [[DirecTV]] by former DirecTV executives Jason Markham and Evan Grayer together with Inversiones Bahia in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prensario.tv/novedades/922-simple-e-inversiones-bahia-adquieren-golf-channel-latin-america|title=Simple e Inversiones Bahia Adquieren Golf Channel|publisher=PrensarioInternacional|date=April 17, 2018}}</ref> The channel broadcasts professional tournaments from the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Latinoamérica, European Tour and LPGA Tour with Spanish-speaking journalists, as well as Golf Central and other English-language shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/magazine/2006/10/12/232628/fanaticos-del-golf-contaran-un-canal-dedicado-solo-a-este-deporte.html |title=Fanáticos del golf contarán un canal dedicado sólo a este deporte |date=October 12, 2006 |publisher=Emol.com |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref> In 2019, [[Discovery, Inc.|Discovery]] bought the channel, but continues to license the brand and service marks for Golf Channel from Comcast.<ref>[https://www.golfdigest.com/story/discovery-acquires-golf-channel-latin-america Discovery acquires Golf Channel Latin America] - Golf Digest, December 18, 2019</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://golfchannel.com/}}

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[[Category:Golf Channel| ]]
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