USGA Extends Partnership with NBC Through 2032

The USGA and NBCUniversal have just announced an exciting extension of their partnership, bringing six more years of coverage to NBC, Peacock, USA, and Golf Channel. Fans can look forward to a continued display of 11 USGA championships on television, with the addition of four hours of network coverage during Thursday/Friday U.S. Open action. While the format will remain largely unchanged, this news comes at a time when streaming services are gaining popularity in the media landscape.

According to reports, NBCUniversal will be investing close to $93 million annually in this deal, similar to the previous Fox Sports agreement. The USGA has not disclosed specific financial details, but the commitment to coverage is clear.

Highlights of the extension include 48 hours of U.S. Open coverage each year, the most of any major tournament for American viewers. This will include an extra four hours of NBC coverage during the early rounds, with a total of five hours per day and an additional hour in prime time. U.S. Women’s Open will see 27 hours of coverage, U.S. Senior Open will feature 18 hours, and a variety of other championships will also receive extensive airtime.

A new twist to the coverage has been introduced with the addition of a final hour of Thursday/Friday coverage to entice Peacock subscriptions. This means that select tee times for top players will be pushed back, potentially affecting their schedules. While this move aims to capture more viewers during prime time, it may not sit well with players who will have less recovery time between rounds.

Despite the exciting developments in televised coverage, the announcement has left some eager for more information on the streaming front. The partnership between USGA and NBCUniversal promises to continue delivering top-notch golf coverage to fans across various platforms, ensuring an engaging viewing experience for years to come.