
In a bid to keep viewers interested in the PGA Tour throughout the year, they have decided to use the NASCAR model to do the job.
Golf has had an interest problem for a long time as it had no mechanism in place to create a year-long interest. Now with the creation of the FedEx Cup, players will play in a points competition like NASCAR does, over a 37 week period. With their new TV package in place, they're attempting to keep the ratings high over the course of the year. At the end of the year a champion will be crowned for winning
the Cup.
Jim Nantz, CBS' lead golf announcer said, "These second-tier events have been watered down to the point where the sports fan needs to have a reason to watch, has to have a reason that all this leads to something in the end. For me, I love all the events. But the reality is that the PGA Tour wasn't building up to anything. It didn't have the big bang."
CBS (CBS), NBC (GE), and the Golf Channel are the main networks that paid a reported $3 billion over a six year period. ABC (DIS) all but dropped out of the pool, televising only the British Open because of its pursuit of the NASCAR market.
CBS will be the leader in carrying the most events with 19, an increase of three over the 16 they carried last year. NBC has increased its PGA coverage to 10. It will include the Championship Series; along with the U.S. Open, World Golf Championship, Players Championship and the Presidents Cup.
The Golf Channel will cover either six of seven of the late season tournaments which are now being called the Fall Series. They will also broadcast the first three PGA events of the year.
For golf fans and the players, it really sounds like something that should hold their interest throughout the year, and keep them coming back to watch the changes in the leaderboard. I'd be surprised if this isn't a big hit for everyone involved.







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