Sky Sports Secures Long-Term Extension for USGA Golf Broadcast Rights
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London, UK - Sky Sports, a leading pay-television broadcaster in the United Kingdom, has announced a significant extension to its broadcast agreement with the United States Golf Association (USGA). The new deal, extending through 2030, ensures continued complete coverage of premier USGA events for UK audiences.
Expanding Golf Coverage for UK Viewers
The extended partnership guarantees Sky Sports will remain the home of major USGA championships, including the prestigious US Open Championship-a cornerstone of men’s major golf-and the US Women’s Open, a pivotal event in the women’s elite golf calendar. Coverage will be available on both Sky Sports’ linear television channels and its Now TV over-the-top (OTT) streaming service.
Beyond the flagship championships, the agreement encompasses a wide range of USGA-governed tournaments. These include the US Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships, the US Senior Open, and the Curtis Cup, a celebrated biennial competition pitting amateur women’s teams from great Britain and Ireland against their counterparts from the United States.
This strategic move reinforces Sky Sports’ dominant position in the UK’s elite golf broadcasting landscape. The network already holds exclusive rights to all four men’s major championships, all five women’s majors, and key professional tours like the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Ladies European Tour, and also the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup.
A Long-Standing Partnership
The USGA recently broadened its media presence with a separate extension of its broadcast agreement with NBCUniversal through 2032. Both Sky Sports and NBCUniversal are owned by Comcast, highlighting the telecommunications giant’s strong commitment to golf broadcasting.
Pro Tip: Understanding media ownership structures can reveal strategic priorities in sports broadcasting.
NBCUniversal’s relationship with the USGA dates back to 1995, just two years after Sky Sports first aired the US Open in 1993. Comcast acquired Sky in 2018,further consolidating its influence in the global sports media market.
The 2025 edition of The Open championship, another of golf’s four major tournaments, also delivered record viewership numbers on both Sky Sports and NBCUniversal. Sky Sports recorded an average of 681,000 viewers on the final day, marking its most-watched edition ever. NBCUniversal’s coverage reached a total final-day audience of 4.1 million, a 21 percent increase year-over-year.
Did you Know? The USGA was founded in 1894 to standardize the rules of golf and promote the game’s growth in the United States. [[1]]
| Event | Coverage | Duration of Sky Sports Deal |
|---|---|---|
| US Open Championship | Live Coverage | Through 2030 |
| US Women’s Open | Live Coverage | Through 2030 |
| US Amateur Championships | Live Coverage | Through 2030 |
| US Senior Open | Live Coverage | Through 2030 |
| Curtis Cup | Live Coverage | Through 2030 |
The Future of Golf Broadcasting
This extended partnership between Sky Sports and the USGA underscores the enduring appeal of golf and the increasing value of exclusive sports broadcasting rights. As streaming services continue to gain prominence, the ability to deliver live coverage across multiple platforms will be crucial for reaching a wider audience. what impact will these extended deals have on the accessibility of golf for fans in the UK?
The continued investment from Comcast, through both Sky Sports and NBCUniversal, signals a long-term commitment to the sport and its global fanbase.Will other broadcasters follow suit with similar long-term agreements to secure premium sports content?
Golf Broadcasting Trends and Insights
The trend towards consolidating broadcast rights for major sporting events is accelerating. Networks are increasingly willing to pay premium prices for exclusive content, driven by the desire to attract and retain subscribers in a competitive media landscape. The rise of streaming services has further intensified this competition, creating new opportunities for rights holders to monetize their content. The USGA’s dual-deal strategy with Sky Sports and NBCUniversal exemplifies this trend, maximizing its reach and revenue potential.
Frequently Asked Questions about the sky Sports-USGA Deal
- What events are included in the Sky Sports-USGA deal? The deal covers the US Open, US Women’s Open, US Amateur championships, US Senior Open, and the Curtis cup.
- How long does the Sky Sports-USGA agreement last? The agreement extends through 2030.
- Were can I watch USGA events on Sky Sports? Events will be broadcast on Sky Sports’ linear channels and the Now TV streaming service.
- Who owns Sky Sports? Sky Sports is owned by Comcast.
- Does NBCUniversal also broadcast USGA events? Yes, NBCUniversal has a separate agreement with the USGA extending through 2032.
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