Back9Network announced today its first television carriage agreement, a multi-year deal with DIRECTV to distribute its golf lifestyle network to its subscribers. Back9Network will launch on DIRECTV on Sept. 29th, with nearly 1,100 hours of original programming in its first year, including ten original primetime series, Live morning, midday, and evening shows, as well as a variety of golf lifestyle programming covering travel, real estate, food, fashion, courses and equipment. Back9Network will be located on DIRECTV channel 262, among other popular lifestyle channels.
“We are thrilled that DIRECTV will be Back9Network’s first television launch partner. This long-term agreement provides us with a strong initial television distribution-base and sends a clear message to the marketplace of our goal of becoming a fully-distributed lifestyle network,” said Jamie Bosworth, Founder, Back9Network.
“We look forward to broadcasting from our state-of-the-art studios in Downtown Hartford, developing studio shows and primetime programming that resonate with the 25 million active golfers in the U.S. and tens of millions more who live the golf lifestyle and enjoy what golf has to offer outside the ropes and in the clubhouse,” said Carlos Silva, President, Back9Network.
Led by Emmy-award winning host/executive producer Ahmad Rashad, Back9Network’s signature primetime programming at launch will include three 30-minute shows (airdates TBA):
– The Ahmad Rashad Show: Golf lifestyle show about living the Back9 and all that it entails. Host Ahmad Rashad takes viewers behind the scenes and away from the glare of the spotlight as he hangs out with the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
– Ball Hogs: Go inside the never-before-seen world of the men and women who risk their lives diving for “white gold” in ponds and lakes in Ball Hogs.
– Golf Treasures: Follow prominent golf collectors Ryan Carey and Bob Zafian, owners of Green Jacket Auctions, as they travel the globe on a mission to hunt down and acquire the world’s rarest and most sought after golf memorabilia.
The Back9Network TV and digital studios are set to launch in Downtown Hartford, CT in August and will be fully operational for the network launch in September. Back9Network continues to be the fastest growing digital golf platform in the world, with exclusive content on Back9Network.com as well as Swing by Swing, the top-rated, free, on-course GPS app for iPhone and Android. Together they reach nearly two million monthly unique users on all platforms.
About Back9Network: Back9Network is a golf lifestyle cable television network and media company based in Hartford, Connecticut. Back9Network was developed as a complementary alternative to traditional media’s focus on professional golf tournament coverage. Focused on compelling storytelling, interesting personalities, features and fashions, interviews and instruction, travel, gear and much more, fans of all kinds will want to hang with the Back9Network. Back9Network.com, the online clubhouse for Back9Network, delivers a fresh perspective on the golf lifestyle and its worldwide influence. Back9Network’s leadership includes respected and outspoken executives from the golf and media industries. For further information, visit Back9Network.com.
Contact:
Jeff Pomeroy
JDP Communications
678-866-2000
jpomeroy@jdppr.com
