Observed Signal · Mar 6, 2026 · Partnership · Source: State of Streaming · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
PGA Extends Ryder Cup Media Deal with NBC to 2033
The PGA of America renewed its media-rights agreement with NBC Sports and USA Sports through 2033, securing broadcast and streaming windows for key events including the Ryder Cup. The extension covers distribution across NBC, Peacock and USA Network and highlights the 2033 Ryder Cup at San Francisco’s Olympic Club. USA Sports — which operates under parent company Versant after a spinoff from Comcast — has made this its second major golf rights deal as it builds an independent content portfolio. The long-term agreement provides broadcasters with stability and preserves U.S.-hosted Ryder Cup rights amid an increasingly fragmented golf media market while other major golf rights (PGA Tour, The Open) approach renewal later this decade.
Secures long-term broadcast and streaming rights for a marquee sports property (Ryder Cup), affecting networks' sports inventory, viewership planning and ad monetization in the live-sports TV/streaming market.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- The PGA of America renewed media-rights with NBC Sports and USA Sports through 2033.
- The agreement includes broadcast and streaming on NBC, Peacock and USA Network.
- The deal secures U.S.-hosted Ryder Cup rights including the 2033 Ryder Cup at San Francisco's Olympic Club.
- USA Sports operates under parent company Versant and this is its second major golf rights deal since spinoff from Comcast.
Connected Companies & Entities
4 Entities mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Sky Renews Golf Rights Through 2029
Sky has extended its exclusive UK and Ireland broadcast rights for the DP World Tour and the Ryder Cup through 2029, citing a surge in younger viewers. Europe’s victory at the 2025 Ryder Cup produced Sky Sports’ most-watched weekend, drawing 5 million viewers and with over 40% of the final day's audience under 35. The multi-year deal covers the Ryder Cups in Ireland (2027) and the US (2029) and the DP World Tour’s marquee Rolex Series events, and keeps the events on Sky Sports’ pay-TV channels and the NOW streaming service. Sky says the renewal supports its long-running position as the region’s primary home of golf, using a hybrid linear-plus-streaming model to maximize reach.
Apple Eyes US Rights to The Open Championship
Apple TV is reportedly positioning itself to bid for the United States broadcast rights to golf’s Open Championship, with preliminary discussions held between Apple and the R&A. The current U.S. rights deal with NBC — shared with Golf Channel/Versant and in place since 2017 after outbidding ESPN — expires in 2028. A formal tender process is expected to open early next year, with streamers including Netflix and Amazon likely to pursue the package. The article notes Apple’s prior sports investments (an early-ended MLS deal and a five-year U.S. Formula One rights deal) and discusses how a shift of The Open to a major streamer could affect viewing habits, advertising models, and the broader golf media ecosystem.
NBC Retains Preakness Rights Over FOX, Netflix, Amazon
NBC Sports has secured a new deal to retain television rights to the Preakness Stakes, reportedly beating bids from FOX Sports, Netflix, and Amazon. Terms were not disclosed; the renewal keeps the race on NBC after more than two decades. NBC has televised the Preakness since 2001 and holds U.S. media rights to the Kentucky Derby through 2032. This year’s Preakness averaged about 5.5 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, a 22% increase versus 2025. Meanwhile, FOX Sports is expanding its horse-racing portfolio via a multi-year agreement with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club beginning in 2027 and will preview the deal by airing the Pacific Classic on August 22, 2026. The coverage landscape for major horse-racing events remains split across traditional broadcasters and streaming platforms, reflecting intensifying competition for live sports rights.
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