Discovery tees up for $2bn golf deal

US factual giant Discovery Communications is preparing to launch a global multi-platform streaming service for golf fans after agreeing a US$2bn deal for rights to the PGA Tour.

David Zaslav

The arrangement runs from 2019 to 2030 and includes rights to offer PGA Tour coverage to viewers everywhere outside the US, where NBCUniversal holds rights.

Discovery is preparing to launch a PGA Tour-branded OTT streamer, expanding its direct-to-consumer offerings, which already include the Eurosport Player.

The factual giant will also broadcast PGA Tour events on its pay TV and free-to-air channels.

David Zaslav, president and CEO at Discovery, said the “long-term partnership… will create the new global home of golf, including delivering over 2,000 hours of live content year-round and this prestigious sport’s greatest moments, stories and athletes.”

The PGA business will be led by Alex Kaplan, who has been named president and general manager of the Discovery and PGA Tour venture. He was previously exec VP of commercial for Eurosport Digital.

Last month Discovery rejigged the senior management team at its Eurosport network, with a series of promotions and executive departures, including Emir Osmanbegovic being appointed senior VP for sports content and production.

The deal ratchets up the competition with pay TV operators such as Sky, which is battling to retain its grip on major sporting events.

Discovery has been extending its sports interests for several years, having acquired full ownership of Eurosport in a deal worth €491m (US$534m) with TF1 Group in 2015. In the same year, it took rights to air the Olympic Games on its pan-European network Eurosport.