2018 PGA Championship TV Schedule and Broadcast Guide
The 2018 PGA Championship was the 96th edition of golf’s oldest major and the last major of the year. This guide provides the complete TV schedule, broadcast times, channels, and streaming options for the 2018 PGA Championship. It covers pre-tournament coverage, round-by-round start times, and international feeds so you know exactly how and where to follow the event. Dates, times, and channels are verified from official announcements where available.
Key Broadcast Details at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Event | 2018 PGA Championship | Official tournament records |
| Dates | August 9–12, 2018 | Official PGA Championship schedule |
| Host Course | Bellerive Country Club (Town and Country, Missouri) | Official PGA Championship announcement |
| Primary U.S. TV Rights | CBS (over-the-air) and NBC (cable through Golf Channel) | PGA Tour media rights agreements |
| U.S. Streaming | CBS Sports app, NBC Sports app, GolfTV (where available), and selected cable apps | Network digital announcements |
| Pre-tournament Coverage | Live from the course starting several hours before each round on Golf Channel and network partners | Network program schedules |
| International Coverage | Varies by region; available on Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports (Australia), and regional broadcasters | Broadcasters’ press releases |
U.S. Television Coverage
In the United States, the 2018 PGA Championship was broadcast by CBS and NBC family of networks, leveraging long-standing golf broadcast partnerships. CBS provided over-the-air coverage for key sessions, while NBC and Golf Channel delivered cable and digital streams. Pre-tournament shows, early-round coverage, and analysis programs aired across the Golf Channel and NBC’s cable ecosystem. Streaming viewers could access live feeds through network apps and, in some cases, through authenticated TV Everywhere logins with participating cable providers.
U.S. Broadcast Schedule by Network
CBS and NBC coordinated coverage across four tournament days. The schedule below reflects typical early-round and weekend session placements; exact start times could shift slightly due to weather and course conditions. All times are Eastern.
- Thursday: Early-round coverage on Golf Channel and CNBC, with highlights and extended preview programming on NBCSN.
- Friday: Continuation of early-round action and feature programming; digital streams often carry alternate camera feeds.
- Saturday: First two rounds covered across Golf Channel and selected NBC regional sports network windows where available.
- Sunday: Main round and final coverage aired on CBS in the afternoon and evening, with morning coverage on Golf Channel.
International Broadcast and Streaming
Global audiences could follow the 2018 PGA Championship through a mosaic of regional rights partners. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports provided television and online streams. In Australia, Fox Sports held broadcast rights. Other regions saw coverage on national sports networks or dedicated golf channels. Many international feeds also offered digital streams through local network apps or set-top boxes, often behind geo-licensed authentication. Check local listings or broadcaster websites for precise local start times and channel numbers.
How to Confirm Local Start Times and Channels
Because local carriage and time zones affect start times, use these quick steps to verify how to watch:
- Check your network provider’s on-air schedule for CBS or NBC affiliates in your market.
- Visit the network’s official sports schedule page or the PGA Championship media site for localized guides.
- Use your TV provider’s app or cable box guide to search for Golf Channel, CNBC, NBC Sports, or CBS on the tournament dates.
- For streaming, confirm app support and authentication eligibility with your cable provider or check GolfTV availability in your region.
Notable Production and Format Notes
Coverage on CBS and NBC emphasized comprehensive tournament windows, including early-round highlights, player features, and extended post-round analysis. Shot packages included on-course cameras, leaderboard graphics, and in-studio commentary. Because 2018 was the final major of the season, build-up programming placed extra emphasis on FedExCup implications and player contention narratives. Production quality remained high throughout, consistent with major championship standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What time did rounds start on Sunday in the U.S.? Sunday coverage on CBS typically began in the early afternoon Eastern; exact lead-in times varied by region and affiliates.
- Could I stream for free? Streaming was available through network apps, but full access often required TV authentication via a participating cable or satellite provider. Some digital preview content may have been available without authentication.
- Was coverage available on radio? Yes, the PGA Championship was broadcast on the PGA Tour Radio network and through local radio partners; schedules were available on the PGA Tour website.
- What changed from previous years? By 2ine coverage remained consistent across CBS and NBC; the primary shift each year is host course and dates, not the core broadcast model.
Summary
The 2018 PGA Championship TV schedule centered on CBS and NBC family channels, with robust cable coverage on Golf Channel and digital streams via network apps. Pre-tournament through final-round coverage was widely available in the U.S. and internationally, though exact start times varied by region and carrier. Viewers were encouraged to check local listings and use network apps with TV authentication for reliable access.