THE 2020 U.S. OPEN coming this September on NBC-Yes that’s right NBC.
THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf Radio and Golfersongolf.com follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and Facebook or LinkedIn.
The USGA’s time in the Fox hole is over, effect yesterday, the United States Golf Association (USGA) is no longer TV partners with Fox Broadcasting and has returned to the NBC broadcasting network.
It appears that the USGA and Fox had different idea’s about what to show and when over the past few months, with the major conflict being the two U.S. Opens. Both the Men’s U.S. Open in September and the Women’s U.S. Open in December, cause scheduling conflicts for TV time. With Fox wanting to stay with NCAA and NFL football on the weekend, and the USGA expecting it’s U.S. Open’s to be televised on Fox, and not Fox Sports 1, as Fox had hoped to do.
USGA.org.
“We are thrilled to acquire the remainder of the Fox Sports’ USGA agreement, and will carry the designated USGA events, including the U.S. Open, through 2026,” said Pete Bevacqua,president of the NBC Sports Group. “Adding these prestigious USGA events to our incredibly deep golf business, led by our long-term deal PGA Tour partnership, as well as the Open Championship and the Ryder Cup, positions us as absolute leaders in the golf space. This deal is advantageous for all parties, including NBC Sports, Golf channel, Peacock and the USGA, but also Fox Sports, and we thank them for working with us to complete this transaction. It further solidifies our platforms as the destination for golf viewers and enthusiasts, with NBC, Golf Channel, GOLFNow and GOLFPASS.”
“Partnering with NBCUniversal, including Golf Channel, gives us an, unparalleled opportunity to connect and engage with the core audience more directly and routinely, and as a non-profit, to continue to have a significant and lasting impact on the game,” said Mike Davis CEO of the USGA.
In 2021 the USGA schedule will be played in full, and the new agreement with NBCU will allow for full uninterrupted coverage of eight USGA events because of the partnership with Rolex. The last hour of the final round will be uninterrupted, with out any interruptions.
“Fox Sports has cherished its time with the as home to the USGA Championships for the past six years. This is a relationship and partnership that has been second to none,” said Eric Shanks, CEO and Executive producer of Fox Sports. “Recent events calling for the shift for the U.S. Open created scheduling challenges that were difficult to overcome. While we are proud of the success we’ve built over the these years, this is a win for golf fans everywhere, a win for the USGA and a win for FOX and NBC Sports.”
“Fox brought significant innovation to golf broadcasting by elevating technology and enhancing fan experience,” said Davis. “We appreciate the partnership we have had with FOX Sports, and FOX Sports efforts over the last six years to produce world-class events.”