Fledgling Golf Lifestyle Channel Back9Network Faces "Long Odds" In Gaining Traction

With Back9Network “dogged by turmoil, burning through a bank account and fighting for an audience,” the golf lifestyle outlet “faces long odds,” according to Pete Madden of SI GOLF. But Back9Network CEO Charles Cox said that by “focusing almost exclusively on the professional tours,” Golf Channel has “ignored a potentially huge ‘golf lifestyle’ audience.” That is the “target of Back9 Network, which wants to be the E! Entertainment for male golfers.” Cox said of Back9’s tournament coverage, “We’ll give you highlights, but we’re gonna crack in by giving people character-driven content that speaks for the everyman.” Madden notes the net “promises programs with an edge,” as part of its five hours of original programming each day. Re-runs, syndicated lifestyle content and paid programming will “fill out the schedule.” Meanwhile, the net is “stuck with standard picture quality until an HD slot opens up” on DirecTV, possibly in early ’15. Golf Channel declined to comment, but released a statement "touting a 14% increase in its year-over-year viewership, espousing the network’s coverage of 'all aspects of the game' and dismissing any notion of competition with Back9.” Cox said that he “won’t sign up for Nielsen ratings until Back9 is available in 40 million homes, double the number that DirecTV services." He added that negotiations with other potential providers such as Comcast, Dish Network and Time Warner Cable “are ongoing” (SI GOLF, 11/19 issue).