Friday, January 3, 2014

Golf Channel Expands to Radio with SiriusXM Agreement

(ORLANDO, Fla.) - Golf Channel, one of the fastest growing networks on television since joining the NBC Sports Group in 2011, is now expanding to radio for the first-time ever in a broadcast agreement with SiriusXM. The announcement was made today by Mike McCarley, Golf Channel President, and Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM's President and Chief Content Officer. Golf Channel programming begins Monday Jan. 6 on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio (XM ch. 93, Sirius ch. 208).

Golf Channel on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio will offer Golf Channel's high-quality programming across various dayparts, including Golf Channel's daily flagship morning show, "Morning Drive," and daily signature news program, "Golf Central;" instruction programs with the nation's top-rated instructors and legends of the game including "The Golf Fix," "School of Golf" and "Golf Channel Academy;" and the network's critically-acclaimed primetime original series, including "Feherty" and "In Play with Jimmy Roberts."

"Radio is a natural extension as Golf Channel continues to expand," said Mike McCarley, President of Golf Channel. "Our increasingly loyal viewers are watching in record numbers, so partnering with SiriusXM will not only make Golf Channel's high-quality programming available to our devoted audience through a new medium, but also introduce SiriusXM listeners to Golf Channel programming through a SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio channel that is undergoing a transformation with some of the most interesting names in golf as part of its new lineup."

"Golf Channel showcases an outstanding array of programming and talent, and its yearly growth in viewership is a testament to that quality. SiriusXM is very excited to deliver some of their best content to our nationwide audience," said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM's President and Chief Content Officer. "We continue to build our SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio channel to offer the very best audio entertainment experience available to anyone and everyone who loves the game of golf, and our collaboration with the Golf Channel is another strong step in that direction."

Golf Channel's brand expansion to satellite radio builds upon the network's tremendous growth since becoming part of the NBC Sports Group in February 2011. Across that timespan, Golf Channel has celebrated its "most-watched years ever" for the past three consecutive years; expanded its footprint to 83 countries worldwide, including significantly expanded distribution in Japan and launched programming in India; unveiled live authenticated streaming via Golf Live Extra and branded NBC Sports' tournament coverage as "Golf Channel on NBC."

Golf Channel on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio will debut Monday, Jan. 6 with a simulcast of "Morning Drive" from 9-11 a.m. ET.

In addition to Golf Channel on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, SiriusXM recently announced it has added 2013 FedExCup champion Henrik Stenson, Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter, World Golf Hall of Fame member Ben Crenshaw, and top instructors Hank Haney, David Leadbetter and Jim McLean as hosts on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. Launched in 2005, the channel offers listeners nationwide live play-by-play coverage of PGA Tour events as well as major championship tournaments, plus live call-in talk shows offering news, analysis, equipment reviews and more.

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