Orlando / Florida / United States
The Golf Channel is available in more than 90 million homes in the United States, Canada and Asia through cable, satellite and wireless companies. It features a programming schedule that includes more live golf coverage than any other network, as well as news, instruction and original productions, such as the popular Big Break series. The idea for a 24-hour golf channel was conceived in 1991 by co-founders Joseph E. Gibbs and golf legend Arnold Palmer. The station was launched in 1995 after an initial $80 million investment from a consortium of six multiple system cable operators. The Golf Channels first live televised tournament was the Dubai Desert Classic, which aired in January 1995. It is now the exclusive television home of the Nationwide Tour, European Tour and Canadian Tour, and the exclusive cable home of the Champions Tour. The Golf Channel employs more than 330 people at its Orlando, Fla., corporate headquarters and studios.