Washington D.C., March 16, 2005 -- The PGA TOUR and XM Satellite Radio today announced a long-term broadcasting and marketing agreement, which includes exclusive XM broadcasts of PGA TOUR events, as well as sales and rentals of portable XM2go radios at PGA TOUR tournament courses.
"This innovative agreement between the PGA TOUR and XM Satellite Radio will help extend the reach and popularity of TOUR events and players," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "As the official satellite radio service of the PGA TOUR, XM Radio makes it possible for fans to follow the tournaments and get the latest golf news virtually anywhere from coast to coast, whether they are on the road, at the office, or even in the gallery at a TOUR event."
"The PGA Network on XM Radio is a must-have for golf fans," said Hugh Panero, President and CEO of XM Satellite Radio. "This channel will be the place for golf fans to experience worldwide tournament coverage and golf news year-round. The PGA TOUR has never been more popular or more exciting than it is today. Total attendance at PGA TOUR events tops 10 million people per year. This agreement unites an enormously popular sport with one of the fastest-growing entertainment companies, XM Satellite Radio."
Beginning this summer, the PGA TOUR Network (XM Channel 146) will air live tournament coverage each week, plus daily programs designed for golf enthusiasts. XM is partnering with the programming company PureGolf, Inc. to produce dedicated programs for the new channel.
As part of the XM-PGA TOUR agreement, fans who attend select TOUR tournaments will be able to buy or rent a portable XM2go radio to hear the live coverage at the golf course.
"Only XM offers a portable, hand-held satellite radio, which will provide people at PGA TOUR tournaments a convenient way to keep up with the leaderboard and all of the real-time action around the course," Panero said.