CBS Executives Praise Justin Thomas' Call for Enhanced Golf TV Coverage
Justin Thomas' recent letter to PGA Tour players advocating for increased broadcast access has received strong support from CBS Sports leadership. CBS Sports president David Berson expressed enthusiasm for Thomas' initiative, which calls for players to provide more insight and access during telecasts.
The letter comes at a crucial time, as PGA Tour viewership declined by nearly 20% on CBS and NBC in 2024. Thomas emphasized that "on-course personality" was identified as the top interest driver among younger viewers (18-34 demographic) in recent pilot program findings.
Key points from Thomas' proposal:
- Players should be more open to media access and innovation
- Increased engagement could significantly improve broadcast quality
- Changes don't require players to act differently, just be more accessible
- Enhanced viewer experience could help combat declining viewership
CBS Golf lead producer Sellers Shy noted the significance of Thomas' influence, suggesting his advocacy could encourage more players to embrace broadcast innovations. This aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize golf coverage, including experiments with mid-round interviews and shot clocks in the TGL.
The timing is particularly relevant as Thomas and other pros recently became partial owners of the Tour, creating aligned incentives between players and broadcasters to improve the viewing experience.
The initiative represents a potential shift in professional golf's traditionally conservative approach to broadcasting, with both players and networks acknowledging the need to evolve for modern audiences while maintaining the sport's integrity.
"The more I think about it, the more I feel us giving more access and insight can make a WORLD of difference," Thomas wrote, emphasizing the importance of player participation in enhancing broadcast quality and viewer engagement.