"The Golf Channel is a stronger brand, but it could benefit from a link to NBC and its on-air talent."

The New York Times' Richard Sandomir contemplates the role Dick Ebersol might play in the new GE-Universal-NBC-Comcast (GUNC?) entity, and suggests that Comcast properties like Golf Channel can only benefit from Ebersol's touch (assuming he stays on past 2012, and assuming they can lock in the Big Break for the next fifty years).

Sandomir also notes a possible Olympic-Golf Channel tie in--assuming ESPN doesn't outbid for the 2016 games. Left unsaid is the possibility of more USGA Championship content going to The Golf Channel someday.

Comments

[The O]

SAT Question:

Golf Channel is to NBC as Ship is to

A. Anchor
B. Iceberg
C. Fog
D. Broken down lighthouse.

[court]

Fine - bring Maltbie and Hicks to xxx Golf Channel. The scary part about this is the possible re-expanded use of Dottie Pepper, and worse, Johnny Miller.

xxx Golf Channel has been on a streak of hiring accents and mannequins with no golf or broadcasting talent for a number of years...and the broadcasts show. Mixing in more weak talent won't help.

[JohnR]

Is Ebersol responsible for the "Olympic moments"? I hope not. What exactly is his "touch" that will improve the broadcasts? Isn't that what we are always complaining about?

John

[Sharon]

Adding in NBC talent won't help one iota. Not too many people are going to watch the game for the commentary. They watch the game for the game itself! Good commentary is just icing on the cake.