Amazon Passes Masters Test During Debut

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Amazon era at the Masters began Thursday, as Prime Video exclusively streamed first-round coverage from 1-3 p.m. ET.

“The wait is over,” said Prime Video host Terry Gannon, who was joined by Jack Nicklaus in Butler Cabin throughout the broadcast.

On-screen, the action looked and sounded nearly identical to standard CBS and ESPN coverage in recent years, as CBS produces Masters broadcasts for all U.S. networks and now streamers. The only signs of Amazon were the Prime logo on screen at the top of the broadcast, coming back from breaks, and in the corner of the floating leaderboard in between action.

Gannon, a longtime announcer for NBC Sports and Golf Channel, hosted the coverage, which included the main CBS team calling the action. “It’s an honor to be with you,” Gannon said while welcoming in Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman, who were in the TV tower on the 18th green; Andrew Catalon was on the 17th, Frank Nobilo was on the 16th, Colt Knosh was on No. 14, Dottie Pepper was on-course, and Amanda Balionis handled interviews.

With the early-to-mid afternoon window, Prime Video was able to air the conclusion of some players who went off in the morning wave—like early first-round leader Sam Burns (who shot 67)—and the beginning portions of players in the afternoon wave, like two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.

The 1 p.m. start time marked the earliest point in the day that the main Masters broadcast coverage has ever started. Prime Video will return Friday with second-round coverage.

Prime Real Estate 

In addition to the two hours of primary coverage on Thursday afternoon, Prime Video also debuted Inside Amen Corner, a special alternate feed of the 11th, 12th, and 13th holes at Augusta National. The stream uses stats and data in a similar fashion to the Prime Vision feed that has become popular on Amazon’s Thursday Night Football.

“This three-hole stretch is responsible for triumph and collapse,” Inside Amen Corner host Justin Kutcher said at the top of the broadcast. “And all day we’ll be tracing shots, breaking down swings, and using data from this week and past years to tell the stories behind every decision.”

The Inside Amen Corner stream captured action from all 91 players in the field, with Golf Channel on-course reporter Smylie Kaufman and former PGA Tour caddie John Wood serving as the primary analysts. It will return for the second, third, and final rounds.