PGTI, Ten Golf sign 3-year deal

Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India, Monday announced a three-year exclusive partnership with the soon-to-be-launched sports channel, Ten Golf.

The deal provides Ten Golf with the broadcasting rights for all PGTI-sanctioned tournaments within and outside the country from 2012 - 2014. Ten Golf is India's first exclusive golf channel.

Announcing the partnership, Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, "Professional golf in India has had strong positive growth over the last five years under PGTI. We are today at a stage where it is important for us to showcase the depth of Indian talent and their achievements with the support of a professional electronic medium."

"To further grow golf, and project the opportunities and the potential the sport has, it is important to have a strong broadcast partner. With Ten Golf we see strong synergies, and are confident that their expertise, knowledge and bandwidth will substantially help take Indian golf to the next level."

Atul Pande, CEO, Taj Television India Private Limited, said, "Our sports broadcast strategy of building committed viewers, in specific sports, has led to the idea of the golf channel - TEN Golf. Our tie up with PGTI will help in strengthing the Indian Tour. We will be working closely with Asian Tour and European Tour to bring world class golf action for viewers in India and the subcontinent."

When Ten Golf launches next month, it will broadcast a weekly show titled "Inside the PGTI". This show will highlight the best golfing action from PGTI events and will feature golfers on the PGTI circuit. The sports channel will also air special promos and fillers based on Indian golfers and the PGTI tour.

Ten Golf will be the latest addition to the bouquet of products offered by Taj Television Limited, whose portfolio includes Ten Sports, Ten Cricket, Ten Action+, Ten HD. TEN bouquet of channel reaches 100 million households across India.