The Professional Golfers’ Association is launching its own broadcast channel over the internet on the back of a new dedicated broadband service for golfers. PGA Broadband is being launched on 15th November featuring an extensive variety of ‘infotainment’ on the game. The exclusive presence of PGA TV on PGA Broadband signals the first phase of its development, with the broadcast of ‘live’ daily news bulletins, tournament highlights, golf tips and instruction, interviews with the stars and real-time leader boards. This marks a ‘first’ for the golf industry, and provides exclusive viewing aimed at attracting a community of golfers to the trusted PGA brand.
The live and on-demand coverage of the game and activities surrounding the sport is being produced by ‘In the Box Media’ and is as close to TV broadcast quality as currently possible on the net, with streamed video bit-rates reaching up to 800kbps. It also provides the PGA with a media communications platform to instantly comment on any issues arising from the world of golf.
Competitively priced from £17.99 per month, the new PGA Broadband high-speed 2 meg service is likely to appeal to internet savvy golfers, as it delivers broadband internet connection with unlimited downloads, and provides up to five email addresses ending @pgabroadband.com.
The PGA is hoping to tap into its ready made market of over five million golfers in the UK, and plans to sell the broadband service via its network of 4,500 golf club professionals at over 2,500 facilities across the UK and Ireland, as well as through its endorsed Golf Pages magazine.
The initiative has been developed as a joint venture with Viatel, the company behind the successful broadband service of football giants Chelsea and Manchester United.
Installation is quick and easy via a CD disc, and subscribers to PGA Broadband also receive a free modem and benefit from spam and antivirus software as standard.
www.pgabroadband.com
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