Discovery strikes European Tour deal for GOLFTV

Discovery has struck a deal with European Tour, expanding the line-up of its forthcoming ‘digital home of golf,’ GOLFTV.

Discovery has taken the international multi-platform live rights to all European Tour events in selected territories, which excludes major markets like the US, Canada and, in Europe, the UK, Ireland, France and Scandinavia.

The deal also gives Discovery European rights to the next two Ryder Cups – except in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the other aforementioned European countries.

The broadcaster will be able to sublicense European Tour TV and digital coverage in the markets where it holds exclusive rights, as part of a broader strategy to grow viewership of the Tour.

Another aspect of the deal will see Discovery collaborate with European Tour to further grow its digital platforms – including the European Tour’s global website, new local websites, European Tour apps, and local social media accounts.

“Welcoming the European Tour and The Ryder Cup into the GOLFTV world is a significant step in our journey to becoming a premier global destination for golf entertainment,” said Alex Kaplan, president and general manager of Discovery Golf.

“To offer fans the chance to watch some of the biggest tournaments of the year week in and week out, featuring the world’s greatest players and their national heroes, is the perfect foundation of must-have content that fans can’t live without.”

European Tour chief executive, Keith Pelley, said: “Discovery has a very a strong vision for GOLFTV as a multi-platform destination for golf and we are delighted to be combining our global reach in 2019.”

“Our partnership with Discovery, combined with our other broadcast deals, means that every fan in every territory will now be able to watch the European Tour. This new partnership is therefore an exciting move for us, allowing us to showcase the stars of the European Tour and our innovative content to a new audience.”

Discovery and the PGA TOUR are due to launch GOLFTV, a new live and on-demand video streaming service, globally outside the US on January 1, 2019.  GOLFTV’s rights portfolio includes PGA Tour coverage and an exclusive global content partnership with pro golfer Tiger Woods.