CBS, ESPN in PGA Deal

CBS and ESPN have inked an 11-year multiplatform agreement for the PGA Championship, beginning in 2020.

The comprehensive deal covers television, digital and OTT rights to the PGA. CBS, ESPN and ESPN+ will deliver more than 175 cumulative hours of live coverage across broadcast, cable and digital platforms. The PGA of America will retain the rights to PGA.com and produce web and mobile app experiences.

“For nearly a half-century, CBS Sports has been a vital member of the PGA of America extended family while delivering our major championship to golf fans across the country,” said PGA CEO Seth Waugh. “We are also thrilled to partner with ESPN and connect with sports fans through the reach of the ESPN networks. The PGA is a major that not only typically delivers the strongest field in golf, but is synonymous with historic moments that resonate with golf fans everywhere. As we move this iconic championship to May, we are extremely excited that CBS and ESPN will present the highest-quality product with the state-of-the-art technology through a broadcast team that shares our mission to grow the sport of golf.”

“Premium content such as the PGA represents the past, present and future of CBS,” said Joe Ianniello, president and acting CEO of CBS Corporation. “There is nothing like live sports programming to attract a mass audience and drive our business. We are very pleased to extend our longstanding relationship with the PGA of America and this signature event.”

“ESPN is proud to work together with the PGA of America and CBS to provide fans with unprecedented coverage of this prestigious event,” said ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro. “The addition of ESPN+ provides us the opportunity to go even deeper in showcasing the drama and excitement of The PGA for years to come.”

CBS Sports has been the home of the PGA Championship since 1991. It will broadcast the third and final rounds on Saturday and Sunday, increasing its coverage by one hour each day. The pact also sees CBS securing expanded highlight and digital rights, including distribution of its coverage across CBSSports.com, CBS All Access and all mobile applications.

ESPN and ESPN+ will deliver live coverage over all four days of the tournament, as well as pre-tournament and other ancillary coverage. Exclusive live coverage of the first and second rounds will appear across ESPN and ESPN+. For the third and final rounds, ESPN and ESPN+ will have multiple hours of live coverage throughout the morning, leading into the CBS telecast later in the day.

“The PGA Championship has been a marquee event on CBS since 1991,” said Sean McManus, chairman of CBS Sports. “Retaining these rights was a top priority for us this year, and we are excited to have it continue as a cornerstone of our schedule for 11 more years. Together with ESPN, we look forward to greatly expanding the coverage of this great championship. The move to May will greatly benefit CBS, our viewers and the golf marketplace.”

“We are thrilled to collaborate with two great partners in CBS and ESPN for the next 11 years to continue to drive innovation in the production and coverage of major championship golf television,” said Paul Levy, president of the PGA of America. “I’m also extremely excited about what this partnership will do to continue to elevate the value of the nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals who are helping to move this sport forward every day.”