Golf Channel aims to improve

PHILADELPHIA — The new president of the Golf Channel is Page Thompson, 45, from Bryn Mawr, Pa., who until recently was senior vice president and general manager of video services for the parent company, Comcast.

As he waited to catch a flight home, he fielded a few questions about his new job.

Question: When I asked whether you were a “finance” guy or a “programming” guy, I was told you are a “future” guy. What does that mean for the Golf Channel?

Answer: We’re going to bring on-demand to the Golf Channel. While linear programming, or conventional television, is the foundation of our channel, we can now give people our programming whenever and wherever they want.

Q: Are there future platforms or revenue streams that we viewers may not envision?

A: In the immediate future, it is bringing the Golf Channel to mobile phones as well as continuing to build our video-on-demand library. We also want to grow our Golf Channel Web site.

Q: What appealed to you about the job?

A: Many things. First, I love the game of golf. Second, this is a great channel that is well-positioned.

Q. After a decade of being a niche network, the Golf Channel is suddenly going to be a major player in televising the PGA Tour for the next 15 years. How will that affect the Golf Channel as we’ve come to know it?

A: The new partnership with the PGA Tour has already affected the channel in a lot of ways. And our options are getting bigger and better every day.

Q: Before now, how much time did you spend watching the Golf Channel? Favorite shows?

A: Eight to 10 hours a week. My favorite shows are “Golf Central, which is good one-stop shopping for all the golf action. And I find the “Big Break” addicting.

Q: How much golf do you play? What’s your handicap?

A: 14 handicap. I only play about a dozen times a year, but I hope that will increase with this job.

Q: Programming-wise, what can the Golf Channel improve or increase?

A: The PGA Tour will bring in viewers, so we have an opportunity to grow and improve our original programming. We have a new program called “Fore Inventors Only” (starting in July). The clips of the inventions I’ve seen will appeal not only to golfers, but to anybody who admires American ingenuity.