THE GOLF CHANNEL AIMS TO UP PRODUCTION BUDGET FOR NEW SHOWS

          For the "unabashed addicted golf-nut," The Golf Channel
     (TGC) is "nothing less than 'must-see TV' -- sort of what C-
     Span is for the political junkie," according to Joe Logan in
     the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER.  Entering its fourth year, TGC
     has expanded from a subscriber base of less than a million
     after the first year to 14 million today, and it is
     "projected" to reach 24 million homes worldwide by the end
     of '98.  TGC's "biggest obstacle" to date has been a limited
     production budget ($35M), but with the subscriber base
     increasing, and the production budget along with it, TGC "is
     salivating over the prospect of having money to bring all
     manner of ideas to reality: weekly magazine shows on women's
     golf, junior golf, college golf, and the various mini-tours. 
     Also being considered is a series on the game's governing
     bodies, such as the PGA and U.S. Golf Association and
     England's Royal & Ancient Golf Club.  A game show, sort of a
     Golf Jeopardy, is a possibility" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 2/1).