Golf Channel Rolls Out Live Streaming

The Golf Channel will begin streaming their entire channel to authenticated customers from Cablevision, Comcast, Mediacom, Suddenlink, Dish Network and Verizon FiOS. Users will be able to watch and stream content via broadband or mobile connections. The most valuable asset to the streaming capabilities is the channels live tournament coverage, in which European tournaments are available in the morning and U.S. played tournaments are played in the afternoon. TV Everywhere is the is a verification system that allows television service providers to authenticate those who wish to view select content. Although many leagues and entities have experimented with TV Everywhere, executives have been frustrated by the pick-up rate among viewers. The major compliant among customers is the lower quality of video and difficulty authenticating. NBC Sports Group, who is in charge of the Golf App, authenticated 10 million plus viewers during the Olympics. The success of the Olympics app was one of the main reasons executives at the Golf Channel decided to pursue the TV Everywhere avenue. An interesting revelation made by those in charge also came from the Olympic model. Executives say increased viewership on the authenticated app helps the linear TV channel. Obviously the more compelling and high quality content, the more successful this TV Anywhere venture will be.