After just eight months of going live on the internet, GolfBug.tv has launched a regular monthly schedule of programming as a result of the huge increase in content that it has secured for the channel.
Following the negotiation of several partnership agreements at the end of last year, the world’s first broadband TV golf channel took on its new look in January and from February, the programme schedule will show new content at the beginning of every month.
“We are extremely pleased at the rapid rate at which we have developed the GolfBug.tv channel and overwhelmed at the positive response that we have received from the golfing industry,” commented Andrew Cooke, founder of GolfBug.tv. “As a result we have been able to push forward our plans to develop regular monthly programming which will ensure that GolfBug.tv is always fresh and entertaining for our viewers.”
In a landmark agreement with The R&A the channel will broadcast archive action from some of golf’s top competitions. The arrangement will give golf enthusiasts the chance to log on to GolfBug.tv to access some of the game’s most historic footage of The Open Championship, The Amateur Championship, The Walker Cup and The Boys Amateur Championship.
Throughout January GolfBug.tv has been showing “The Other 51 Weeks” a documentary film that looks at the numerous other activities carried out by The R&A throughout the year to develop the game around the world.
“GolfBug.tv is delighted to have secured a license to broadcast R&A archive material as it gives our viewers the chance to watch some of golf’s greatest tournaments and magical moments at the touch of a button wherever and whenever they want to,” said Cooke.
Speaking from the home of Golf in St Andrews, R&A Commercial Director Angus Farquhar said, “However golf fans choose to connect with the game we want them to be given the opportunity to access our unique film archive. We are pleased that GolfBug.tv has selected our content to present to its growing online audience.”
In addition to The R&A agreement, GolfBug.tv also has two more new partners on board; Crown Golf, Europe’s largest golf owner/operator, and Golf International, one of the UK’s top golf magazines. They join the channel’s ever-increasing stable of partners that includes the likes of The European Tour and Asian Tour.
Crown Golf boasts 32 golf and leisure facilities in the UK incorporating 56 golf courses, all of which offer modern, well-appointed facilities amidst tranquil surroundings at a variety of top golf clubs such as the Jack Nicklaus-designed St Mellion, The Hertfordshire and Pyrford. In addition to a number of mutually-beneficial promotions, GolfBug.tv will soon be embedded on the Crown Golf website (www.crown-golf.co.uk) so that Crown Golf’s many thousands of regular golfers can access the channel quickly and easily.
Following the agreement, David Standing of Crown Golf said, “Crown Golf is delighted to be linking up with GolfBug.tv as we are confident that the association will encourage more members in the UK to join Crown Golf venues whilst also attracting overseas visitors to play our courses.”
In a move that will further boost GolfBug.tv’s global audience, Golf International will have a link to the channel on the front page of its website, GolfBug.tv will be embedded in the Golf International website and the two media outlets will also join up to run reader/viewer promotions.
“Whilst our readers still enjoy receiving their regular copy of Golf International, our new link with GolfBug.tv means that the magazine is now offering its subscribers the added benefit of keeping up with the internet’s very latest offering in the world of golf,” commented Richard Simmons, Deputy Editor of Golf International.
Golf International www.golfinternationalmag.co.uk
GolfBug.tv www.GolfBug.tv