• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

GolfTV Maturing With Original Content Following Golf Digest Acquisition

GolfTV original content
Photo Courtesy GolfTV
GolfTV original content
Photo Courtesy GolfTV

This year has been a big year for Discovery Inc. in golf, as it launched GolfTV in January in partnership with the PGA Tour – a 12-year strategic alliance – and acquired Golf Digest in May.

As the expertise from Golf Digest is integrated into Discovery Golf’s ecosystem, the development of GolfTV from a nascent platform to one with international appeal for golf fans worldwide is well underway, said Alex Kaplan, president and general manager of Discovery Golf. 

“It’s been great, but it’s still the early days as we integrate GolfTV and the more established Golf Digest,” Kaplan said. “Overall, we’re really, really pleased on several fronts. The team we acquired, we knew their reputation, but the level of expertise that exists is awesome.”

With that level of expertise, Kaplan said Discover Golf knows it needs to provide more opportunity for that knowledge base and push the content globally. Likewise, the established Golf Digest’s digital platform acts as a “giant funnel” with the number of unique visitors into the rest of the content the business is creating. Key to that business is new original content to keep golf fresh, while still appealing to traditional golf enthusiasts.

GolfTV’s push forward is fueled by new programming, specifically My Game: Tiger Woods and October’s The Challenge: Japan Skins. 

Japan Skins will pit the four premier golfers – Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama – from the four biggest golf continents. The competition is meant to provide viewers with a new golf format while helping increase the draw from an international audience. 

The challenge will be played on October 21, the Monday prior to the first-ever PGA Tour event in Japan. It’s the first of a likely annual series of challenge events.

“We were encouraged by the match with Tiger and Phil,” Kaplan said. “It wasn’t distributed outside the U.S. and there were some challenges, but the level of interest and number of people who tuned in was compelling.” 

While keeping things close to the vest to unveil during the broadcast, Kaplan said there will be plenty of aspects that will help make the Japan Skins compelling, including unique hole challenges.

Along with working with the PGA Tour, GolfTV producers also worked with Woods’ team to iron out the details for the event, which will have a total purse of $350,000.

Woods’ team and his partnership with Golf Digest was also key to the launch of the 12-part video series My Game: Tiger Woods. The episodes are 10-minutes long and available on the Golf Digest website and on GolfTV internationally. 

“One of the elements of our deal with him was creating an engaging, fun instructional platform that was digital-first,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan said through working with Woods and his team, the series received an honest and raw version of the golfer who opens up about his psychological approach and how it has shifted through his career, along with the actual physical approach to golf. 

“This is my first complete guide on how I think and prepare for every shot, every hole and every round, from my perspective,” Woods said in August. “I’m so excited to share my thoughts on the way I play and think about the game. My approach has evolved over the years, but the fundamentals my dad taught me have remained the same. For the first time, I will share them in a way that all golfers – from beginners to experienced players – can enjoy.”

My Game has helped keep traffic numbers up, even outside the PGA Tour season, when the site typically sees a decrease, Kaplan said. The new, original content is also helping drive both subscribers and sponsors. 

READ MORE: Golf Digest Back Charging For Growth With New Owner

“It’s a dual revenue stream between advertising and subscriptions,” Kaplan said. “That is our business model and ultimately. These types of things we make bets on have to have a benefit. 

Both the Challenge and My Game series are expected to be made again next year, along with potential new content to help drive traffic. While the content is original, Kaplan said the goal is to ensure it’s improved upon with insight from subscribers and consumers.

“We don’t want to tell people what to like, but we have to sometimes show them something new,” he said. “We’re focused on executing what’s in front of us, but Discovery is all in on golf and we’re happy with the performance so far. We have big plans and want to do more, but we have to do right with what we have.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The 153rd Open Championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland

Open Championship Considers Ireland: Portrush ‘Will Open’ Gates

Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland is hosting this week’s tournament.
Apr 6, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; The LIV Golf logo is on display along the 10th hole during the second round of LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.

LIV Golf’s New Leadership Reapplies for World Ranking Points

The league’s first attempt was denied in 2023.
Stephen Curry celebrates after sinking the winning putt during the final round of the American Century Celebrity Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Golf’s Hottest Celebrity Tournament Keeps Getting More Exclusive

The American Century Championship tees off at Lake Tahoe on Friday.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.

WNBA Hits Fourth-Highest ABC Viewership With Clark-Bueckers Duel

Clark missed the first Fever vs. Wings game with an injury.
NBC Sports
exclusive
July 14, 2025

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.
Brittney Griner and Caitlin Clark
exclusive
July 15, 2025

‘Good Morning America’ Will Air From WNBA All-Star in First

The All-Star Game’s relevance has exploded with the league in recent years.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
F1
July 11, 2025

F1 ‘Poised’ to Choose Apple Money Over ESPN Reach

Formula One looks to be changing lanes.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.