New York - INHD, cable's most distributed 24/7 all-HD network, and the USA Network, have reached an agreement allowing INHD to present high-definition coverage of the Masters® Tournament live from Augusta, Georgia. The announcement was made by Rob Jacobson, chief operating officer of iN DEMAND, parent company of INHD, and Doug Holloway, President of Affiliate Relations of USA Network.
INHD is offered as part of the HD service of cable's largest companies, including Comcast, Cox, Time Warner and Bright House.
As part of the agreement, USA Networks will carry a standard definition feed of the live HD production and INHD the live HD feed. The coverage on INHD will include live action on Thursday, April 8th and Friday, April 9th from 4 PM - 6:30 PM ET/1 PM - 3:30 PM PT. Currently, the Masters® field has invited 103 players, including 43 international golfers. A total of 17 first timers will currently be participating in this year's Tournament.
One of the high points for tournament play this year will be the presence of golf legend Arnold Palmer who will returning for his final Masters® Tournament after 50 consecutive years at Augusta National. Tiger Woods also will attempt to take home the green jacket for his 10th year at the Masters, and Lian-Wei Zhang, the first Chinese golfer to win on the PGA European tour, will make his first appearance.
"The Masters® Tournament is golf at its best and we're excited to be working with our partners at USA to broadcast this marquee sporting extravaganza in HD," said Jacobson. "INHD has become cable's premiere destination for live sporting events and we look forward to exploring future broadcasting opportunities of this magnitude again with USA Network as well as with all of our valued network and league partners."
"Televising the Masters® live in HD again this year allows USA Network to continue giving its viewers the best opportunity to experience one of the world's greatest golf tournaments while capturing the beauty of Augusta National Golf Course," said Doug Holloway, President of Affiliate Relations.
The Tournament consists of four-day stroke playing of 18 holes each day. The first Tournament was held in 1934 and shortly became an annually scheduled event every April. During the 1970's, the two founders of the Masters Tournament passed away. In 1997, Tiger Woods broke the Tournament four-day scoring record that had stood for 32 years. Last year, Mike Weir won the Tournament becoming the first left-handed player in the history of the Masters to win the championship.
Augusta National continues its practice of making significant contributions to the world of golf and the local community. This year, over $3.2 million will be distributed. The national First Tee initiative will receive $1 million for its program. Since 1998, Augusta National has given $5 million to the organization. The CSRA Community Foundation will receive a gift of $1.25 million. Since 1997, the Foundation has received $6.25 million from Augusta National. Others receiving significant contributions are the major golf organizations and FORE! Augusta. Earlier, Augusta National made a $500,000 commitment to the Tiger Woods Foundation.
USA Network is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. USA Network is available in 81% of all U.S. homes and is seen in over 86 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com.
USA Network is a program service of Universal Television Networks, part of the Universal Television Group a division of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE) (www.universalstudios.com ), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.
INHD and INHD2 are television's first multi-channel 24/7 linear-scheduled network that features commercial-free movies, professional and college sports and general interest programming that maximizes the HD television experience. INHD provides superior images and sound and more native HD programming than any other network. INHD is owned and operated by iN DEMAND Networks. Company shareholders are Comcast iN DEMAND Holdings, Inc., Cox Communications, Inc. and Time Warner Entertainment - Advance/Newhouse Partnership. INHD and INHD2 are available on Bright House, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox, and Time Warner cable systems. Further information about INHD can be found on the Internet at www.inhd.com.