Golf Channel Expands Asian Presence

ORLANDO: IB Medianet has teamed up with NBCUniversal's Golf Channel in the U.S. for the launch of Golf Channel Korea, a premium IPTV channel.

Golf Channel Korea will feature such programming as Golf Central, a daily news show; Morning Drive, a morning news and lifestyle program; The Golf Fix, an instructional show led by swing expert Michael Breed; and Big Break, a competition reality series. The network will also air the Korean Men's Golf Tour (KGT); LPGA Tour; The Asian Tour; and G Tour, a simulated professional golf tournament. It will be offered on KT's Olleh TV and LG's U+ TV.

"We plan to strengthen our competitiveness through this partnership with Golf Channel, by programming timely news content, and additional local and foreign golf tournaments, ultimately differentiating ourselves from other golf channels and re-launching as an IPTV golf channel," noted Junghwan Kim, the CEO of IB Medianet.

"Golf Channel aims to help grow the game of golf globally and we are proud to add IB Medianet to our roster of prestigious international media partners. Koreans have a great passion for golf and the partnership between Golf Channel and IB Medianet is built upon providing them with the highest quality coverage of the game, every day of the year," added Belinda Menendez, the president of NBCUniversal International Television Distribution and Universal Networks International. "Along with tournament coverage, Golf Channel Korea will feature the best in golf news, instruction and entertainment programming. Shows like Golf Central and Morning Drive will provide not only the latest news from around the world, but also appeal to amateur golfers with information on the latest in equipment, training and fashion."