DirecTV Offering Three U.S. Open Channels To Compliment NBC, ESPN

By Jon Show, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

DirecTV Will Offer Extended Coverage Of All Four Rounds Of U.S. Open For First Time

DirecTV will offer viewers three additional channels to complement live coverage of the U.S. Open on ESPN and NBC. DirecTV had similar coverage of The Masters for the last two years, but this is the first time the treatment will be extended to all four rounds at the U.S. Open, which starts next Thursday. The three channels will be available in both HD and standard-def. One channel will have live coverage of the two “marquee groups” also streamed online each day at USOpen.com. A second channel will have live coverage of a specific hole at Bethpage Black, likely to be No. 17. The third will feature live updates, highlights and interviews. Each channel has a separate announcing team and will schedule commercial breaks comparable to those on NBC, which is producing all live coverage. Advertisers are limited to those companies buying time on the telecast to avoid any ambush marketers. DirecTV is also planning similar efforts later this year during the British Open and PGA Championship.