DirecTV Extends Interactive Coverage to PGA Championship
DBS Will Provide Four Supplementary Channels in HD Throughout Tourney
By Larry Barrett -- Multichannel News, 8/6/2008 6:35:00 AM
DirecTV will bring additional interactive channels to golf fans this week during the 90th PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan, giving viewers a chance to watch expanded coverage of TNT and CBS broadcasts for free and in high definition.
Despite the additional free channels, viewers still won’t be able to watch Tiger Woods this weekend as he continues his rehabilitation from knee and leg surgery performed shortly after his stirring victory in the U.S. Open in June.
The DBS has offered similar in-depth, expanded coverage of major sporting events this year including the U.S. Open golf and tennis tournaments and the Masters golf tournament in April.
The service will deliver four channels in high definition, including three unique channels that will focus on a featured group each day, featured holes and a new offering called “Players In Depth.” These channels will be available, along with live network coverage, throughout each network’s broadcast hours, Thursday and Friday from TNT (1-7 p.m. ET) and on Saturday and Sunday from TNT (11 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET ) and CBS (2-7 p.m. ET).
Complimentary online coverage will also be available all four days from PGA.com. The PGA Championship Interactive Mix Channel will display all four channels on a single screen, allowing viewers to select and tune to each as a full-screen channel, each of them available in HD. Each individual channel will also provide access to scores and stats at the push of a button. 
“DirecTV Interactive is to viewers what a great caddie is to the touring pro,” Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DirecTV Entertainment, said in a statement. “We’re their eyes and ears and we make sure they have all the information and the tools they need to get the most out of the game.”
The PGA Championship Mix Channel (Channel 701) will feature a leaderboard on the left side of the screen and display the following four views:
-- Live CBS/TNT network coverage of the tournament itself.
-- Featured Group will follow a single group’s progress around the course, with announcers providing insight on the live play.
-- Featured Holes will focus solely on two of the challenging par 3 holes on the Oakland Hills South Course. Viewers receive complete live coverage as players try different clubs, swings and strategies to meet the challenge.
-- Players In Depth, a new featured channel, is a fully produced show with interviews, highlights, press conferences, graphics and up-to-the-minute stats. For example, a camera crew and host will visit the driving range or the 18th green and conduct interviews, while another host will provide voice-over highlights and lead-ins to additional content.
