http://www.golfdigest.com/story/nbc...017?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
NBC/Golf Channel has reached a deal to start its Open coverage in 2016 at Royal Troon, according to Sports Business Journal. Originally, NBC, which signed a 10-year deal with the R&A for $500 million, wasn't to broadcast the event until 2017.
What changed? Well, longtime Open television partner BBC sold the rights to its final year of coverage to Sky Sports, which was also to take over in 2017 at first. That move prompted ESPN to allow NBC to buy out the final year of its contract to maintain consistency in how the event will be broadcasted going forward.
NBC/Golf Channel has reached a deal to start its Open coverage in 2016 at Royal Troon, according to Sports Business Journal. Originally, NBC, which signed a 10-year deal with the R&A for $500 million, wasn't to broadcast the event until 2017.
What changed? Well, longtime Open television partner BBC sold the rights to its final year of coverage to Sky Sports, which was also to take over in 2017 at first. That move prompted ESPN to allow NBC to buy out the final year of its contract to maintain consistency in how the event will be broadcasted going forward.