OSN’s decision to jettison all but two cricket channels from its sports portfolio as of March 31 has had golfers across the UAE sweating on how to watch the first major of the year from Augusta National.

Sadly, Golf Digest Middle East’s enquires have not eased the increasing anguish; as of Sunday, no broadcaster or streaming service has secured rights for the 83rd edition of the Masters from Augusta National Golf Club.

PGA TOUR available via online streaming/European Tour negotiations on-going

The good news is that GOLFTV, Discovery’s  $2 billion swing at the international golf market in conjunction with the PGA Tour, was launched in the UAE on April 1. 

Brian Williams, Business Development Manager for the PGA Tour EMEA, confirmed the streaming service, launched globally in January, provides live and on-demand video and promises more than 2,000 hours of live action annually. Sadly this does not include the Masters, at this stage anyway.

Subscribers can also enjoy the PGA TOUR’s “Feature Groups” and “Feature Hole” coverage, as well as a wide range of premium content on-demand, including GOLFTV’s exclusive content partnership with 80-time PGA Tour winner and 14-time major champion Tiger Woods.

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Access is available on mobile and online via GOLF.TV and the GOLFTV app. UAE fans can find out more and enjoy a seven-day free trial by visiting GOLFTV. 

Patrick Reed is the defending champion heading into the 83rd Masters. Sadly, it seems UAE fans won’t be able to see his title defence on TV.

Meanwhile, European Tour Senior Press & Communications Officer Neil Ahern said that coverage of the Masters did not “fall within our remit as Augusta National negotiate all of their own broadcast deals.” However, there is better long term news.

“We are currently in discussions with several broadcasters in relation to finding a solution to this issue before European Tour action returns on Thursday, April 25 with the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco. We will update further in due course,“ Ahern said.

OSN CEO Patrick Tillieux told BroadcastPro that OSN was “redirecting our investments from sports to content that our customers enjoy the most.” The broadcaster has decided to refocus its service to more women-centric and “premium programming content”, he added.

“In the coming months, OSN will be delivering a new binge-watching channel, fresh monthly pop-up channels celebrating the biggest movie franchises, plus more curated lifestyle and women-centric shows,” he said.

Golf Digest Middle East will carry full and extensive coverage from Augusta National throughout the week.

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