(NEW YORK, NY) – NBTV Channels’ video entertainment network Golf Nation is set to officially debut its Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) golf-lifestyle channel on VIZIO (NYSE: VZIO) Smart TVs.
Millions of VIZIO Smart TV users will be the first to stream Golf Nation programming at no cost on WatchFree+ channel 612 and on demand. Golf Nation content was initially previewed in December 2022 on GolfNation.com as a groundbreaking video-on-demand provider of entertaining, commercial-free, golf-lifestyle shows.
In the inaugural season of original shows, the following episodes are produced by NBTV Studios and range from five to 30 minutes:
- Ambush with David Feherty – Hidden camera hijinks with golf’s most comedic figure
- Three Courses – Travel to play, eat and drink with influencers Gabi Powel, Hannah Leiner
- Golf Unseen– Adventures to exotic golf locations with cultural experiences, hosted by Carolina Romero and Mike Mason (nine-time X Games medalist)
- Tee Shots– Drink, chat, swing, repeat hosted by famous mixologist Bill Binder
- Versus– Rotating golf celebrities and influencers compete head-to-head
“We are excited to premiere Golf Nation’s line-up of curated content on VIZIO Smart TVs,” says Greg Barnard, Director of Content Acquisition at VIZIO. “And thanks to a major brand sponsor of the channel, Golf Nation will be featured on the VIZIO Home Screen at launch, helping VIZIO users discover live and on demand content at the beginning of their TV viewing experience.
“Thanks in large part to VIZIO, Golf Nation will boast one of the largest golf-oriented audiences in the U.S.,” says Nick Buzzell, Chairman and CEO of Golf Nation. “The significant distribution lift excites our brand partners who authentically sell products featured in our shows.”
Golf Nation started with a built-in audience as more than 60% of Spirits Network viewers indicate a passion for golf.
An investor community darling, Golf Nation’s thesis attracted backers Mark Bezos (HighPost Capital), David Nichols (former President of K-Swiss), John Esposito (Chairman of Whistle Pig and former CEO of Bacardi North America), Mindy Grossman, Partner at Consello and former CEO of WW International (Weight Watchers in partnership with Oprah Winfrey and CEO of HSNI, parent company to Home Shopping Network).
Company leadership is equally strong with former President of the PGA of America Suzy Whaley as President, sports media veteran Noah Coslov as GM, Kim Weinstein as President of NBTV Studios (producer of Golf Nation original shows), and golf marketing PR and visionary Rich Katz as an advisory board member.
All shows are watched and live in perpetuity on www.golfnation.com, its Android app and on Spirits Network, parent-company NBTV’s first entertainment vertical. In upcoming months, they will be available on Golf Nation iOS app, Apple TV and additional streaming services.
About Golf Nation
A product of NBTV Channels and NBTV Studios, Golf Nation is poised to impact golf like HGTV has done for home design and Food Network for the culinary world. It is the first and only producer of original golf-lifestyle shows with the ability for viewers to click an on-screen “buy bar” to instantly purchase items while never leaving the streaming experience. This watch-buy-play approach benefits brands looking for instant, commercial-free, direct-to- consumer shoppable marketing opportunities with more precise metrics than static and other video platforms. Golf Nation’s sister channel, Spirits Network, has proven this format to be extremely successful, and more than 60 percent of its viewers count golf as a passion.
More information: www.golfnation.com, team@golfnation.com
About VIZIO
Founded and headquartered in Orange County, California, our mission at VIZIO Holding Corp. (NYSE: VZIO) is to deliver immersive entertainment and compelling lifestyle enhancements that make our products the center of the connected home. We are driving the future of televisions through our integrated platform of cutting-edge Smart TVs and powerful operating system. We also offer a portfolio of innovative sound bars that deliver consumers an elevated audio experience. Our platform gives content providers more ways to distribute their content and advertisers more tools to connect with the right audience.
More information: www.vizio.com.
CONTACTS:
Rich Katz for Golf Nation
rkatz@katzstrategy.com
703.283.4852
Melissa Hourigan for VIZIO
melissa@fabricmedia.net
720.608.1919
