Has the Golf Channel disappeared?

[John_Findlay]

Checking through the sports channel listings on Sky this morning and our old favourite, channel 423, seems to have disappeared completely. It's not even listed anymore.

Anyone having the same problem? Is it gone for good?

 

[medwayjon]

It was working yesterday night ok.

Are you missing the cheesy adverts already John?

 

[tpred]

HI John.
I just checked my sky and no golf channel.I fortunately have setanta.But sky could have at least made an announcement if they were going to finish it.

 

[John_Findlay]

I've just found out that it HAS finished broadcasting. Here's the e-mail I found on another website:-

"Hi

I can confirm that The Golf Channel UK will cease broadcasting today.

After 4 very happy years we had to take the commercial decision based upon a number of factors.

1) Cost of "good" quality programming. Yes we could have got cheaper programming but not without denigrating the viewer experience

2) Lack of availability of good programming and rights.

3) The commercial revenues that were projected over the coming years.

I'd like to thank all those viewers who have supported the channel since 2003 I believe we created a great channel with programmes that golfers wanted to watch. We also managed to cater for a wide range of golf tastes so if a particular show wasn't for you another certainly would be just right.

The Shopping channel continues as does the US version of the Golf Channel.

Best Wishes & we'd all like to wish you a happy New Year for 2008!

Lee
The Golf Channel UK "


Oh dear, chaps. I quite enjoyed it for a while. Good of them to tell us!!

 

[tpred]

Thats typical of sky pull a programme that people watch.
But they still continue to have world of sport showing wrestling from years ago(even though i can remember seeing it 1st time round lol)
I have to admit i didn't watch it much but how about the people who did enjoy it.Its another example of the big company doing as they want and to hell with the subscriber.

 

[Junior]

Shame that - whilst i admit they tried to sell us junk and some of the shows were pants, I really enjoyed all the Big Break's and Playing lessons from the pro's.

Good of Sky to tell us that it's finishing. Then again, TV over Christmas both sports and terrestrial has been seriously sh1t.

 

[MVP]

Without the golf channel i wouldn't of known who dave pelz and david leadbetter was that would be tragic!!

 

[HTL]

WHAT!!!

I have been away for two weeks and was actually looking forward to a days sloth in front of my T.V with the golf channel and a few beers.

Any of us got Setanta? Is it worth it for the golf?
I need a golf channel, 664 on sky takes the biscuit with the junk they try and flog.

 

[John_Findlay]

I'm guessing Setanta Golf will only get better now, htl. I've got it and some of their shows are good. Just been watching "the Open Years". Coverage of previous Opens from the 1st round. Brings back good memories. Great stuff

 

[tpred]

I have the setanta package and i think its very good.Some say its too expensive but as far as i see it you either pay or you dont watch it,the coverage of the golf is second to none and you get the golf club program which i reckon is better than the golf channel.
Its just whether you are prepared to pay the aditional money for the package

 

[shanker]

Is that the channel with Renton Laidlaw, Warren Humphreys and Ken Brown? It would be a shame if it disappeared.

 

[MVP]

I will get setanta soon theres never enough pga america on tv dont get me wrong i like the european tour but wanna see more stuff in the states too

 

[thecraw]

Thats really shocking news, used to enjoy watching Golf Daily with a cuppa while getting ready for work. Big Break was also awesome, gave us beauties like Kristina Tucker and fantastic assets in the shape of Bri Vega (she had a couple of assets!!!!)

Setanta is great it costs me another £10 a month, £2.50 per week thats like giving up one pint a week. Coverage is very very good and I am really enjoying it. I wish they would win the rights to the European Tour as well so I could bin Sky Sports!

 

[tpred]

Ive would have been lost without setanta this last 7 weeks not being able to play.Its kept my enthusiasm going while waiting to get back to playing.

 

[medwayjon]

How is your recovery going tpred? Best wishes for a better 2008.

 

[DCB]

Well it looks like Setanta will have to be added to my list of programmes.

As long as I get time to watch the golf.

Sods law says I'll be too busy and will only get time to watch when the Hearts are on the SPL match....ooooh painfull!

 

[tpred]

Hi Jon.
I honestly thought id be back playing by now but i can still feel the muscle bulging under the rib cage and if i pull my are up too far its real painful. I can just about make a putting stroke now so i can at least prctice that.Il just have to give it more time to heal.
And thanks for asking and a happy new year to you

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Damn,

I'd just got the Mrs to agree to a K1 drive and set of FAST irons.

Never really got into the Golf Channel. Found the break every 7-8 minutes where it would bring up the golf channel log (Watch it, Learn etc) was really off putting. Some of the instructional stuff (Dave Pelz) was really good but it kept getting repeated too often. Now we know why.

Setanta is great for coverage but even it is showing how depleted its reserves of programmes are. They must have had the CLar v McIlroy programme on at least 30 times since Christmas alone. They need to go out and make more magazine type shows (Out of Bounds etc).

 

[toonarmy]

Got to say I'm a tad disappointed in this vanishing act. 'Playing Lessons from the Pros' in particular was a great insight and my personal favourite 'The Turn' for its absolutely ridiculous voice-over, Dr Bob's awful hair and general feeling of 'isn't golf just ever-so-slightly daft?'.

No way I'll be shelling out for Sultana Spurts though - they can barely manage to produce a watchable signal on some occasions. And, if they don't get the subscribers, they won't be able to afford the renewal and Sky will get it back again.

R.I.P 423 - like my 32" waist, you will be missed...

 

[Gasp]

......is mourning the loss of Stephanie Sparks.....