Heartbreakingš LIV Golf given bad news as streaming service shuts down in middle of season
With six events remaining on the 2024 LIV Golf calendar, the controversial Saudi-backed rival to the PGA Tour is without a paid streaming partner following a sudden breakdown
Tyrrell Hatton won LIV Golf Nashville, which proved to be the final event streamed on Caffeine TV
Tyrrell Hatton won LIV Golf Nashville, which proved to be the final event streamed on Caffeine TV
LIV Golf have been left reeling after their United States streaming partner Caffeine TV pulled the plug, tossing upcoming plans into disarray and dealing a blow to people who can only watch events online.
Just when their 2024 fixtures were heating up with six events to go, the Saudi-funded circuit is now caught off-guard and in need of a new partner in the broadcast game. Caffeine TV, which had taken up the role as LIV Golf ‘s pay-to-view platform in the stateside market, has shut down.
Half a year has whisked by since LIV Golf hailed the start of its agreement with Caffeine TV, yet now that partnership has been abruptly cut short. The challenging and crowded field of sports streaming means the company failed to progress as predicted, citing lack of profit as the chief culprit for ceasing its operations.
Caffeine TV issued a poignant statement: “All good things come to an end,” articulating an air of resignation. “We’re at the point where we are still not quite profitable, so we’ve made the decision to end the service as of June 26th as we figure out our next steps.”
Initially buoyant in January, when the partnership was first publicised, LIV fancied their chances with Caffeine TV, hoping to net a ‘younger, more diverse audience than many traditional broadcast platforms’, aiming for ‘notable exposure’. Yet, here they stand, stripped of a streaming service halfway through the season.
Fans in the United States can still watch LIV Golf on TV the cable CW Network and on the CW app – but this is a blow for those without cable access. LIV Golf Plus and the LIV Golf YouTube channel mean that online streaming is still available for international followers.
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LIV Golf hoped the streaming deal would earn much-needed revenue after a series of blockbuster deals to land stars like Jon Rahm ( Image: AP)
However, the domestic market remains the biggest in golf in the world. Caffeine TV was viewed as a solid instrument to help LIV Golf raise some revenue following the highly-publicized financial outlay from the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
Bryson DeChambeau ‘s Crushers GC lead the team standings on the back of their back-to-back wins in Jeddah and Hong Kong along with their second-place finish at Nashville last week. Meanwhile, Joaquin Niemann – who also has two wins – leads the individual standings ahead of Legion XIII teammates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who emerged victorious in Nashville last weekend.
Hatton posted a six-under-par final round to finish 19-under for the three-round tournament, defeating Sam Horsfield by six strokes. The Englishman collected $4 million in prize money.
The 10th LIV Golf event of the season takes place in Spain next month. LIV Golf Andalucia takes place from July 12-14 at Real Club Valderrama.