Here’s a first golf entertainment hasn’t seen:
A hidden camera reality series, based on TV’s nostalgic hit “Candid Camera,” entitled “Ambush with David Feherty.” The ex-Ryder Cup star turned network TV golf commentator and stand-up comedian now stars in his own series where practical jokes and hijinks take unassuming golfers by surprise.
And yet another first:
“Ambush” is one of several original, free-to-watch shows airing on the new Golf Nation that sneak-peeked on December 5 on www.golfnation.com. The new golf-lifestyle entertainment channel is the first and only producer of original golf-lifestyle entertainment shows with the ability for viewers to instantly purchase items while never leaving the screen.
That’s why Golf Nation is referred to as “Netflix meets QVC.”
In addition to Ferherty’s hilarity, commercial-free, five- to 30-minute shows include:
- Don’t I Know You? – Golf’s “Newlywed Game;” first episode with Zach & Kim Johnson
- Golf Unseen – Adventures to exotic golf courses with cultural experiences
- No Judgment – Three female friends from Grueter Golf breaking down golf’s barriers
- Tee Shots – Drink, chat, swing, repeat hosted by famous mixologist Bill Binder
- Versus – Golf influencers compete head-to-head
- Buy. Play. – Hottest golf products on the planet
Golf Nation and its purchase-now “buy bars” inserted on-screen into each show will be available via mobile app, connected-smart TVs, Apple TV, Android, Fire TV and Roku in early 2023.
“Shopping video commerce is key to Golf Nation, and viewers can buy what they see on the screen without the annoyance of leaving the show they’re watching,” says Nick Buzzell, Chairman and CEO of Golf Nation. “It’s a watch, buy, play experience.”
Golf Nation is hardly a first-rodeo, major development for producer NBTV Studios and its sister to NBTV Channels. The company created the dynamic Spirits Network that sells countless products inside “Cocktail History,” “Tales from the Cask,” “Sipping Point” and “Science of Spirits” and other series of shows.
Why golf, though, as its next vertical? Surveys show more than 60% of Spirits Network viewers count golf as a passion.
“Brand are lining up to promote their offerings inside our shows because our audience of golfers on Spirits Network is already conditioned to buy products during shows, “Buzzell says. “We are heavily investing in substantially growing that built-in audience in the short term.”
Golf equipment, travel, fashion, technology, instruction, club lifestyle and fitness brands are already onboard with Golf Nation. More than 10 non-endemic brands are expected to be fully immersed selling their products via on-screen ‘buy bars’ inside Golf Nation shows in Q1.
“Golf Nation is a pioneer in transforming the way golf entertainment is presented and products are bought and sold, “says Suzy Whaley, President of Golf Nation.
The first female President of the PGA of America, she is also a Master PGA Professional, one of only a handful of women to play in a PGA TOUR event and commentator on ESPN and Sirius XM coverage of Tour events. Whaley oversees Golf Nation’s industry relations, brand involvement and show ideation.
The team aside Buzzell and Whaley is equally strong. Sports media veteran Noah Coslov is General Manager while advisory board members include Mindy Grossman of Home Shopping Network and Weight Watchers CEO fame, golf marketing PR and visionary Rich Katz, PGA Reach Trustee Dee Robinson and longtime business development executive Pete Arrichiello.
Investors are highlighted by Mark Bezos (High Post Capital), David Nichols (former President of K-Swiss), John Esposito (Chairman of Whistle Pig and former CEO of Bacardi North America), and other family offices and venture funds.
“The ‘buy bar’ technology is key as is our team’s incredible experience and creativity producing entertaining, original golf-lifestyle shows,” says Buzzell. “We aren’t where you go to watch Tour events hole by hole.”
If the handful of fun “Ambush with David Ferherty” shows is a forecast of upcoming goodies from Golf Nation, the new streaming, on-demand channel will be popular for a long time to come.
Media provided by:
Rich Katz
Founder/CEO
rkatz@katzstrategy.com
Website: www.katzstrategy.com
