Where to Watch the PGA Championship

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Quick Answer

• CBS and ESPN are your main channels for the PGA Championship.
• ESPN brings you the early rounds; CBS takes over for the weekend showdowns.
• Streaming is easy with Paramount+ and ESPN+.

Who This Is For

• Golf fanatics who absolutely need to track every shot of the PGA Championship.
• Anyone who wants a no-nonsense guide to exactly where and when to watch.

What Channel is the PGA Championship On This Year?

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. You need to know where the action is. The PGA Championship, one of golf’s four majors, is a big deal, and you don’t want to miss a single drive or putt. The broadcast rights are typically split between two major players, ensuring comprehensive coverage from Thursday’s opening tee shots to Sunday’s trophy presentation.

• Confirm the Official Broadcast Partners: Always, and I mean always, double-check the official PGA Championship website or major sports news outlets for the most current broadcast partners. While it’s consistently CBS and ESPN, things can change, and you don’t want to be caught off guard. This is your first line of defense against missing out.
• Understand Round-Specific Coverage: This is key. ESPN usually grabs the Thursday and Friday rounds. They’ll show you the field as it gets whittled down, highlighting early leaders and potential contenders. Then, CBS steps in for Saturday and Sunday. This is where you’ll see the pressure mount, the big names battling, and the drama unfold as a champion is crowned. Knowing this split helps you plan your viewing accordingly.
• Check Your Local Listings: Even though it’s a national broadcast, it’s always a good idea to peek at your local TV guide. Sometimes, regional sports networks or specific cable providers might have slight variations or additional pre/post-game shows. It takes two seconds and can save you a headache.

Step-by-Step Plan for Viewing the PGA Championship

Getting your viewing setup dialed in is like prepping your campsite – gotta have everything ready before the sun comes up. Here’s how to make sure you catch all the action without a hitch.

1. Action: Identify the primary broadcast networks.

• What to look for: CBS and ESPN. These are the networks that hold the rights to broadcast the tournament. Think of them as your main hubs for all the golf.
• Mistake: Assuming only one network has the entire tournament. They split the coverage, so you need to be aware of both to get the full experience.

2. Action: Determine which network covers which rounds.

• What to look for: ESPN typically covers the opening rounds (Thursday and Friday). CBS usually broadcasts the weekend rounds (Saturday and Sunday). This dictates when you’ll be flipping channels or logging into different apps.
• Mistake: Missing key tournament stages by only tuning in for the weekend. The early rounds are crucial for understanding the course conditions, player strategies, and who’s making an early move. You might miss the breakout player or the golfer who sets the pace.

3. Action: Locate streaming service availability.

• What to look for: Paramount+ is your streaming home for CBS content, and ESPN+ is your go-to for ESPN’s coverage. Many people these days stream their sports, so make sure you’ve got these services squared away if that’s your plan.
• Mistake: Not having the correct subscription ready before the tournament starts. Nothing kills the vibe like scrambling for a login or realizing you need to sign up when the first group is already teeing off.

4. Action: Consult the official PGA Championship schedule.

• What to look for: Specific start times for each round, the designated broadcast network for that time slot, and any featured group coverage. The PGA Championship website is your best bet here.
• Mistake: Relying on general knowledge or past years’ schedules. Broadcast times and specific coverage details can shift slightly year to year, especially with time zone differences and daylight saving. Always verify the current year’s details.

5. Action: Set up alerts or calendar reminders.

• What to look for: Notifications on your smartphone, smart speaker, or digital calendar. Most broadcast apps and streaming services allow you to set reminders for specific events.
• Mistake: Getting caught up in life’s other demands and forgetting the tournament is on. A little tech assistance goes a long way in ensuring you don’t miss the opening drive or a critical putt on the back nine.

6. Action: Check for additional coverage options.

• What to look for: Some broadcasters offer “featured groups” or “featured holes” coverage, often exclusively through their streaming platforms (like ESPN+). This gives you a closer look at specific players or iconic holes.
• Mistake: Thinking the main broadcast is all there is. You might miss out on deeper dives into the competition or unique course insights if you don’t explore these supplementary options.

Navigating Broadcast Channels for the PGA Championship

Knowing exactly what channel is the PGA Championship on is critical for any golf fan. The split broadcast schedule between ESPN and CBS is a well-established tradition, but it requires a bit of attention to detail. Understanding this division ensures you’re tuned into the right network at the right time, from the first drive on Thursday to the final putt on Sunday.

• ESPN’s Role in Early Rounds: ESPN typically kicks off the PGA Championship coverage. For Thursday and Friday, you’ll be looking at ESPN. This is where you’ll see the entire field of 156 players competing. It’s a great time to identify early leaders, see how different players are handling the pressure, and get a feel for the course conditions. ESPN’s broadcast often includes in-depth analysis, player interviews, and coverage of a wider range of golfers before the field is cut. Don’t underestimate the importance of these early rounds; they often set the stage for the weekend drama.
• CBS Takes Over for the Weekend: As the tournament progresses into Saturday and Sunday, CBS becomes your primary channel. This is when the field has been cut down to the top players, and the real battle for the Wanamaker Trophy begins. CBS is known for its high-quality golf production, focusing on the leaders and the most compelling storylines as players jockey for position. Their coverage tends to hone in on the contenders, providing dramatic play-by-play and expert commentary as the championship nears its conclusion.

Common Mistakes

Don’t let these simple slip-ups cost you the action. It’s like forgetting your rain gear on a trip – you’ll regret it.

• Mistake: Only checking one network’s schedule.
• Why it matters: You’ll likely miss significant portions of the tournament broadcast on the other network. For example, if you only check CBS, you’ll miss all of Thursday and Friday’s play.
• Fix: Consult both CBS and ESPN schedules to get the complete viewing timeline for the entire event.
• Mistake: Forgetting to check streaming options or assuming they’re included with a basic cable package.
• Why it matters: Many viewers rely on streaming services, and if you don’t have the correct subscriptions (Paramount+ for CBS, ESPN+ for ESPN), you won’t have access to the broadcast, even if you have internet.
• Fix: Verify which streaming services are required for each network’s coverage and ensure your subscriptions are active and logged in before the tournament begins.
• Mistake: Relying on memory from previous years’ broadcasts.
• Why it matters: Broadcast partnerships and specific coverage times can change annually. What was true last year might not be this year, leading to missed starts or confusion.
• Fix: Always verify the current year’s broadcast information from official sources like the PGA Championship website or the broadcasters’ own schedules.
• Mistake: Assuming all coverage is available live on traditional TV.
• Why it matters: Sometimes, practice rounds, specific player “featured groups,” or extended analysis might be exclusive to streaming platforms like ESPN+ or Paramount+. You might miss out on bonus content if you only rely on the main network channels.
• Fix: Check the detailed schedules on the PGA Championship website or the