PGA Launches Internet TV Channel

PGA Launches Internet TV Channel

BIRMINGHAM, England, November 10/PRNewswire/ -- The Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) is launching its own
broadcast channel over the internet on the back of a new dedicated broadband
service for golfers.

PGA TV is set to drive golf enthusiasts to subscribe to PGA Broadband,
which is also being launched on 15 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 innovative move into the digital age also 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 GBP17.99 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 opportunity for golf fans to secure a well known name as their email
pseudonym is also expected to fuel interest in the service, as Mike Gray,
commercial director of the PGA explained.

"Email addresses and domain names are collectable items and the caché for
golfers to have a PGA branded address gives them a real sense of belonging to
the game.

"The first derivative of many well known names, such as 'Tiger', have
already been excluded, but of course would be made available to the World's
No. 1 golfer on request", he added.

The PGA is hoping to tap into its readymade 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.

Commenting, Sandy Jones, chief executive of the PGA said: "The
association has definitely come of age through this exciting digital
initiative, and demonstrates how the very best traditions of the game can be
communicated using today's modern technology.

"Broadband is a way of connecting to the public and the world, which
means we can now immediately respond to any issues of international
importance through this channel.

"To have exclusive content is superb and I think that's attractive to
people who watch and listen to golf. It also enables us to develop our own
golf community through the network of PGA professionals and use the broadband
medium to provide exclusive lessons and tips across the spectrum of the
game", he added.

The initiative already has the hallmarks of success having 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.

Even switching to the new high-speed broadband service from other
providers is simple. All you have to do is provide a Migrations Authority
Code (Mac) and PGA Broadband will take care of the rest. Online help and
technical support is also available. Further details can be found on
www.pgabroadband.com or by calling the hotline on 0870-142-0754 open daily
from 9am - 9pm.

Picture available on request.

Source: The Professional Golfers' Association (PGA)

Media contacts: Anne Parry or Marie Murdoch, Quantum Freshwater UK, Tel: +44(0)121-633-7775

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