While the rest of the nation wrestles with winter's icy grip, the PGA Tour begins its thaw in the Aloha State this weekend, where the PGA, and Golf Channel, begin their 2015 campaigns.
Golf Channel ended 2014 with its highest-rated and second-most-watched year ever, adding to a tally that’s seen the network’s best four-year run since joining NBC Sports Group in 2011.
Since that time, Golf Channel has increased ratings 57 percent, a total-day average viewership of over 40 percent. It also rates as the most affluent ad-supported television network in both today day and primetime. In 2014, NBC Sports Group reached 79 million viewers via Golf Channel on NBC broadcasts and Golf Channel, which provided more live tournament golf coverage than all other U.S. television networks combined.
On Friday, the network looks to continue its momentum with exclusive coverage of the first PGA Tour event of 2015: the Hyundai Tournament of Champions from Maui, Hawaii. The action begins live Friday, Jan. 9 from 4:30-10 p.m. ET. The event concludes Monday, with coverage slated from 4-8 p.m. ET. NBC will air live coverage of the third round on Sunday from 2:30-5 p.m. ET, with third round coverage concluding on Golf Channel Sunday evening.
In addition, Golf Central will broadcast on-site from Kapalua Resort’s Plantation Course, offering wraparound news and analysis prior to and following tournament coverage.