In addition to a new logo for the new year, 2014 will bring the Golf Channel, which is part of the NBC Sports Group, to radio. Starting Monday January 6 they will begin to air portions of their programming on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio channel 208 on Sirius and 93 on XM. Terms of the agreement between the two companies have not been published.
The deal kicks off with a simulcast of Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. There are also plans to air all or portions of “Golf Central” the daily news program and instructional features including “The Golf Fix” (hosted by Michael Breed), the “School of Golf” (Martin Hall & Holly Sanders) and “Golf Channel Academy.”
The popular primetime original series “Feherty” and “In Play with Jimmy Roberts” are included in the package.
Noted Mike McCarley, Golf Channel president, in a prepared statement, “Radio is a natural extension as Golf Channel continues to expand. 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.”
Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s president in the same statement said, “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. 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.”
Sirius XM also recently 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.
