Golf Channel

The Golf Channel is an American cable television network devoted (obviously) to the game of golf. It was launched on January 17, 1995. The idea of a 24-hour-a-day golf network came from the mind of media entrepreneur Joseph E. Gibbs of Birmingham, Alabama, who first got the idea for the channel in 1991. Gibbs felt there was enough interest in golf among the public to support such a network, and so he had a Gallup Survey done among the public to see if his instincts were right. They were, and Gibbs and legendary golfer Arnold Palmer managed to secure $80 million, which helped the two found The Golf Channel. The first live tournament the channel ever televised was the Dubai Desert Classic, held from January 19 to 22, 1995.

The Golf Channel features programming of all sorts. Live golf is the norm, as the network features coverage of PGA TOUR, LPGA, Champions Tour, Nationwide Tour, USGA, PGA of America, European Tour, Canadian Tour, and PGA TOUR Australasia events. There is also a nightly news show, Golf Central, a variation of which is titled College Central, devoted to college golf. There are highlight shows of past tournaments, and even a reality television competition show, The Big Break, whose premise is to help aspiring professionals gain exemptions into PGA TOUR and LPGA events.

The Golf Channel is available in the United States, Canada, and Asia through cable, satellite, and wireless transmissions. There is also a version of the network for Great Britain.