ESPN is closing in on a deal to stream PGA Tour events on its ESPN+ steaming service, according to the Associated Press. The reported deal would move PGA Tour Live to ESPN+ starting in 2021.
The PGA Tour’s streaming rights currently belong to NBC Sports, which offers the PGA Tour Live subscription app on NBC Sports Gold. PGA Tour Live streamed select tournaments on ESPN+ in 2018, when the app was powered by Disney-owned BAMTech. The PGA Tour then signed a streaming rights deal with NBC in 2019 but is reportedly now rejoining ESPN+ after the current season.
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After Disney finalized its deal to acquire majority control of BAMTech from MLB Advanced Media, BAMTech was rebranded as Disney Streaming Services. DSS provides the streaming infrastructure for apps such as Disney+, ESPN+ and NHL.TV. In November, Disney CEO Bob Iger said that ESPN+ had reached 3.5 million paid subscribers.
On the broadcast television side, the PGA Tour has extended its agreements with existing rights holders CBS and the NBC Sports-owned Golf Channel, according to Sports Business Journal. The deal keeps them on the networks until 2030 and includes a 30% rights fee increase.
