USGA, R&A Early Coverage Headed To USA Network; Is Golf Channel's End Near?

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Sports Business Journal's shocking reveal suggests the end is near for Arnold Palmer's bold vision.

As I explain in this Quadrilateral item, it may be too late to save the channel. But man, what are the USGA and R&A thinking as they get relegated to the place where reruns go to die?

**And the press release…

Premier League, NASCAR, INDYCAR, USGA and The R&A Golf Championships, and College and Olympic Sports Among Premium Properties and Events Moving to USA Network 

USA Network to Feature Premier League Tripleheader on January 1, 2022

USA Network Was #1 Sports and Entertainment Cable Network Throughout the Recent Tokyo Olympics

NBC Sports Content Also Moving to CNBC, Peacock and Other NBCUniversal Platforms

NBCSN to Conclude Programming on Dec. 31, 2021

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and STAMFORD, Conn. – November 2, 2021 – Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, USA Network broadens its slate with the addition of premium NBC Sports events, including coverage from the Premier League, NASCAR, INDYCAR, the Olympic Games, USGA and The R&A Golf Championships, college and Olympic sports, horse racing, cycling and more. In addition, CNBC, Peacock, and other linear platforms will also host a wide variety of live sports.

USA Network will kick off the 2022 sports calendar on Saturday, Jan. 1 at 7 a.m. ET with a New Year’s Day Premier League tripleheader, beginning with Arsenal hosting defending champion Manchester City. 

“We are excited to transition the cable coverage of many of our premium sports events to USA Network, Peacock, and other widely-distributed NBCUniversal platforms, which will give us a significant boost in television homes and will put us in an even stronger position as we grow our business,” said Pete Bevacqua, Chairman, NBC Sports.

“USA has always been home to big, iconic characters - on reality shows like ‘Chrisley Knows Best,’ premium scripted dramas like ‘Chucky’ and ‘The Sinner,’ and of course the high-octane energy of our WWE personalities – and larger-than-life pro athletes will fit right in,” said Frances Berwick, Entertainment Networks, NBCUniversal Television & Streaming. “We expect this expansion of our live sports offering will both engage existing fans and bring in new communities to USA, further cementing the network as a top destination for the best and broadest entertainment in all of its many forms.”

During the recent Tokyo Olympics, USA Network televised live coverage of track & field, men’s and women’s beach volleyball, indoor volleyball and softball, and ranked as the #1 sports and entertainment cable network in primetime with an average of 1.6 million viewers. In September, the Manchester United-Newcastle match featuring the return of Cristiano Ronaldo ranked as the most-watched Premier League game on USA Network.

NBC Sports Programming on USA Network in 2022

  • Atlantic 10 basketball

  • Horse Racing

  • IMSA

  • INDYCAR: Two races

  • NASCAR: Cup and Xfinity Series races

  • Olympic sports

  • Premier League

  • The R&A – The Open, AIG Women’s Open: Early round and weekend lead-in coverage

  • The Winter Olympics

  • Tour de France

  • USGA – U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open: Early round and weekend lead-in coverage

Note: Many of these sports will continue to have programming on the NBC broadcast network. In addition, all linear coverage can be streamed via authentication on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. (*All PGA TOUR events remain exclusively on NBC or GOLF Channel.)