The Open Championship TV & Live Streaming Schedule
For fans in the United States who are looking to watch the Open Championship live on TV or streaming, LiveSportsOnTV.com is the best source of information.
Who has the official rights for the Open Championship in the U.S.?
NBCUniversal holds the exclusive United States broadcasting rights for The Open Championship. Because the tournament takes place in England, US golf fans should prepare for an adjusted viewing schedule. Live tournament coverage begins in the early hours of the morning Eastern Time (ET) and wraps up by mid-afternoon.
The live broadcast coverage is split across traditional linear networks and dedicated digital platforms.
How to watch the Open Championship live on TV
If you’re wanting to watch the British Open via standard cable or satellite TV packages (such as Comcast Xfinity, DirecTV, DISH, or Verizon Fios), you’ll be needing these channels:
- USA Network: This channel is the home for early-round action. USA Network carries the bulk of live coverage during the first and second rounds on Thursday and Friday, as well as the early morning lead-in windows on Saturday and Sunday.
- NBC: The main broadcast network handles the decisive afternoon coverage on Saturday and Sunday, as the leaders are put under pressure and the race for the Claret Jug reaches its highest intensity.
- Golf Channel: This channel is for those fans who want as much golf as possible. While you won’t find live action on the Golf Channel, you will get pre-round previews, post-round analysis, player interviews, and breaking news throughout the week. This is also where you will find the signature Live From the Open program. Ideal for die-hard golf fans.
How to stream the Open Championship
If you have moved into the world of TV streaming, or are wanting to enjoy the final golf major on the move, then there are a couple of options to choose from.
Peacock is the primary destination for live streaming of The Open Championship. This is where you can catch all the live action, at home or on the go, as well as a whole raft of other fun features that will excite any golf fan.
- Stream Every Shot: Peacock streams wire-to-wire coverage, including exclusive early-round windows before the cable networks go live.
- NBC Simulcasts: Every second of coverage from the main NBC network is simultaneously streamed on Peacock.
- Featured Groups and Holes: Viewers can access dedicated secondary feeds following marquee groupings or tracking specific iconic holes at Royal Birkdale, complete with independent commentary.
- On-Demand Replays: If the time zone differences prevent you from watching live, Peacock hosts full-round replays and condensed highlight packages shortly after the conclusion of play.
Live TV Streaming Services
If you are looking for something a bit more comprehensive, then why not consider a live TV streaming service. Services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream all include USA Network, NBC, and the Golf Channel in their standard tier packages, but you get a wide array of other sports, news, and entertainment to enjoy alongside it. Yes, it costs a bit more (approximately $80 per month), but if you are looking for a proper upgrade, these are worth a look.
How to watch the Open Championship for free
With the Open Championship running across just four days, savvy viewers can utilize free trials in order to access the entire tournament for free. Offers can change from time to time, and not all streaming services offer one, but it’s worth a look. We produced this free trials guide to help sports fans find opportunities for free sports viewing.
By signing up for one of these just before the tournament starts, you will be able to watch the whole thing without spending a penny. However, it is important to remember to cancel the trial before it ends in order to avoid paying the full monthly fee.
Over-the-Air (OTA) Antenna
Alternatively, you could consider using an over-the-air antenna to watch the tournament. Purchasing the antenna will incur a small cost of around $30, but, if you are in coverage of an NBC station, you will be able to enjoy the Open Championship. You then have an antenna to use for other events in the future.