NBC to Begin Coverage of British Open in 2016

ORLANDO: Broadcasts of the British Open on NBC are set to start a year earlier than originally planned, with coverage slated for 2016.

The announcement follows a June agreement between NBC Sports Group and R&A that initially gave the U.S. network coverage rights starting in 2017. ESPN was meant to broadcast the golf tournament next year, due to last from July 14 to 17, but NBC Sports Group clinched that coverage after negotiations with the sports channel.

The Open will be broadcast on NBC and Golf Channel, marking the first coverage of a men's major championship in the latter network. NBC’s agreement with R&A also includes the Women’s British Open.

“First and foremost, we want to congratulate ESPN for their company’s successful stewardship of The Open for the last several decades, and we thank them for allowing us to start our partnership with The R&A one year early,” said Mark Lazarus, the chairman of NBC Sports Group. “2016 promises to be exciting for all of golf, as The Open kicks off a historic stretch, including the Rio Olympics, the PGA TOUR FedExCup Playoffs and Ryder Cup on Golf Channel and NBC.”