Golf Channel / GolfNow

Corporate Headquarters: Stamford, Connecticut

Website: http://www.golfchannel.com

Additional Websites: https://www.golfnow.com/, https://www.nbcsportsnext.com/

Category: Media and Technology

LEADERSHIP

Pete Bevacqua, Chairman, NBC Sports

Molly Solomon, Executive Producer & President, NBC Olympics Production; Executive Producer, GOLF Channel

Will McIntosh, President, NBC Sports Next

Jerramy Hainline, Senior Vice President, GolfNow

Mark Loomis, SVP, Production, GOLF Channel

GOLF Channel is the anchor of the golf brands within the NBC Sports portfolio of businesses, which deliver golf content, technology, and services. Co-founded by World Golf Hall of Famer Arnold Palmer, GOLF Channel debuted in 1995 as the first single-sport cable network in the United States and now is available to almost 500 million viewers in nine languages across 70 countries.

In addition to tournament action from the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, DP World Tour, USGA Championships, the Olympics, Ryder Cup, The Presidents Cup, and NCAA championships, GOLF Channel features extensive news, instruction and original programming.

The NBC Sports’ portfolio of golf businesses extends far past GOLF Channel, with business-to-business interests and business-to-consumer properties.

GolfNow is among the golf brands that fall within the NBC Sports Next division, home to all NBCUniversal digital applications and technology platforms in sports, which equip more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans in 40 countries with more than 25 sports solutions products.

While GOLF Channel acquired GolfNow in 2007, the two operate largely independently.

GolfNow would be a Top 100 business as a standalone property, as the largest online tee time marketplace in the world. The brand helps golfers and golf courses better connect to book 9-hole or 18-hole tee times at over 11,000 courses worldwide.

More than tee time booking, the platform also provides technology and services designed to help affiliated courses manage their businesses more efficiently and effectively: a consultancy service to improve marketing and pricing strategies, a purchasing program that can save facilities money on items and equipment, and a 24/7 telephone support system run by golf-savvy experts.

Additional interests include:

• GolfChannel.com
• GolfPass, a digital membership program co-founded by Rory McIlroy that offers benefits and perks that help golfers play more and better golf.
• Live streaming on NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app and Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service
• GolfNow mobile, a comprehensive app allowing golfers to search for tee times, pay, check in and order food and merchandise, as well as playing features, including GPS functionality.
• GolfNow Compete, an all-in-one app that offers tools the help golfers play, navigate the course, keep stats and scores, as well as features and games not available in any other app.
• NBC Sports EDGE, the industry leader in fantasy sports information.

When it comes to GOLF Channel and the network’s history, Palmer is the more recognizable name behind the venture, but the concept was originally developed by Alabama businessman Joe Gibbs. He successfully pitched the idea to Palmer who was able to generate support from investors and cable companies to launch the network in about 130,000 homes. Gibbs served as CEO of GOLF Channel until the end of 2001.

After calling Orlando its long-time home, GOLF Channel announced in 2020 it would be relocating its world headquarters to Stamford, Connecticut. NBC Sports Next golf brands are headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, along with regional offices around North America, Europe, and Australia. The channel also works with Sky Sports and is the Official Media Partner of St. Andrews Links.

In addition to tournament coverage, GOLF Channel’s daily news programs include Golf Today and Golf Central, along with the network’s Live From programming, which airs on-site from the game’s biggest events. Also featured are instructional programs to provide viewers with tips to improve their golf game.