Apple TV could add golf’s Open Championship to its growing sports line-up, with the company reportedly in early discussions over the streaming rights to one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
The talks involve the R&A, the body that owns the Open Championship. NBC currently holds the broadcasting rights through 2028, but there is no guarantee the network will retain them when its licence comes up for renewal. Other bids are also understood to be in play, meaning Apple faces competition for the coveted rights.
A Wider Push Into Live Sport
Sports rights have become a key battleground as streaming platforms look to take over from legacy media companies. For Apple, live sport represents an opportunity to draw new subscribers and keep existing viewers engaged with its service.
The company has already secured a foothold in the market. Apple TV holds streaming deals covering Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball and Formula 1. While those agreements mark small successes, Apple’s ambitions in the sports arena extend considerably further, and the Open Championship would represent a notable addition to its portfolio.
Rights Timeline and Competition
Any move for the Open Championship would hinge on the outcome of NBC’s current arrangement. With the network’s rights running through 2028, discussions taking place now are focused on what happens once that licence expires. Apple is not the only party interested, so the eventual holder of the rights remains uncertain.
The discussions with the R&A are described as being at an early stage. For golf fans, the prospect signals a potential shift in how one of the sport’s four majors could be watched in the coming years, moving from traditional broadcast towards a streaming platform.
NBC retains the rights to golf’s Open Championship through 2028.
Source
Image: appleinsider.com
