New GOLFTV linear channel to launch on Rostelecom TV in Russia

Media Alliance is launching a new liner channel from GOLFTV, the global live golf platform owned by Discovery, Inc., in Russia on 22 July exclusively on the Rostelecom pay-TV network and the operator’s OTT service Wink.  

Rostelecom subscribers already have access to the full Eurosport channel portfolio, the multi-sport sister channel of GOLFTV, and fans can now enjoy a dedicated golf channel to follow the biggest names in the sport every week. With the addition of GOLFTV, Rostelecom will present the fullest range of Media Alliance sport portfolio on its network.  

GOLFTV will become the only linear golf channel in Russia, with comprehensive coverage of the PGA TOUR and many of the biggest tournaments in professional golf. From today, golf fans throughout Russia can access the highest quality and most comprehensive range of golf programming and content 24 hours a day.

The channel will present live PGA TOUR, European Tour and The Masters, one of golf’s historic major championships, as well as other leading tournaments and events featuring the world’s greatest players. PGA Championship, one of the four major tournaments will be broadcasted on GOLFTV from 6 to 9 August. With the change to this year’s calendar, the unique staging of The Masters from Augusta National in November will come to GOLFTV in Russia later this year.

In addition to the best live coverage, GOLFTV will bring fans exclusive new programming featuring the biggest stars in golf. As part of an exclusive global content partnership with the 15-time major champion, GOLFTV will launch the second season of My Game: Tiger Woods. The series takes a look inside the mind of the greatest player of our time and how he approaches every part of the game. Woods speaks directly to players and fans, providing the insights into his game established golfers, beginners and fans alike are desperate to see.

“The road to this launch has been carefully considered and has required proper preparation. We have placed the needs of sports fans first and in Russia launched GOLFTV as a linear channel for the first time. I am proud we are running the channel together with Rostelecom, thereby strengthening and developing our long-term strategic partnership. The launch of the channel coincides with the return of the world greatest tournaments on the PGA TOUR and European Tour, so I am sure this will be a great gift to all the golf lovers in Russia. With the British Masters starting today, fans can already enjoy live golf broadcast on GOLFTV”, said Grigory Lavrov, CEO of Media Alliance.

GOLFTV viewers will also be able to enjoy features and interviews with leading players each week from the PGA TOUR.

“We are happy to present in Russia the first professional TV channel devoted entirely to golf.  This is the sport one must know how to position properly and how to do quality commentary on. This is exactly what GOLFTV is traditionally strong on. Golf has extremely loyal fans, and their number is growing steadily in Russia. They say – if you get attracted to golf, it is for life.  I hope this approach will be extended to the new channel, and all the golf fans will get used watching GOLFTV and this will become their habit" said Alexandr Kosarim, Content Director at Rostelecom.

-ENDS-

About Media Alliance 

Media Alliance is a joint venture between the National Media Group, one of the largest private media holdings in Russia, which unites the assets of key segments of the Russian media market, and Discovery, Inc., whose portfolio is represented by world-famous television brands and covers more than 220 countries. Media Alliance develops and distributes TV channels of the Discovery, Turner and Star Media portfolios in Russia, including such world famous brands as Discovery Channel, TLC, ID Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, DTX, Eurosport 1, Eurosport 2, Eurosport Gold, Eurosport 4K, GOLFTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, Fine Living, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and CNN, as well as Star Family, Star Cinema and Bolt channels.