The PGA Tour "achieved its two primary objectives --
maximizing rights fees and consolidating its broadcasting
mix -- with the completion" of its domestic TV rights
negotiations for events starting in '99, according to Dave
Shedloski of GOLFWEEK. In a breakdown of the package,
Shedloski notes that CBS has committed to quarterly one-hour
specials on the tour and "a kids special that will be
jointly produced by EyeMark, CBS' syndication division."
Shedloski also puts the price of NBC's rights to The
Presidents Cup at $7M annually (GOLFWEEK, 5/17 issue).
HERE'S TO THE WINNERS: In a sidebar analysis of the
deal, Shedloski writes that NBC, CBS, The Golf Channel and
USA Network were winners in the package. ABC/ESPN earned a
"draw" as "sources say it's still not completely happy with
its haul of 11 mostly late-season events." Fox "ended up on
the short end," but sources said it "came to the table with
decent money ... but backed off once it appeared that the
few marquee properties that fit into its crowded schedule
were probably headed elsewhere" (GOLFWEEK, 5/17 issue).
GOLF WORLD's "Winners" include CBS, ABC/ESPN, NBC, and the
USA Network; "Losers" include The Golf Channel and Fox. But
GOLF WORLD adds that "the tour did not get everything it
wanted. Not by a long shot." Sources said the "process at
times got bogged down in the tour's requests that the
networks could not possibly meet -- more control over
production, noncompete clauses with no other golf opposing
tour events, even the ability to 'spin' golf commercials
into prime time programming. The tour even asked for a pro-
rata formula providing extra rights payments in rare cases
where other sports programs ended early, resulting in golf
'bonus coverage' of 10-15 minutes. Ultimately, the tour
backed away from all of those demands" (GOLF WORLD, 5/17).
