LIV Golf chaos as streaming service shuts down mid-season with five events remaining

LIV Golf has been dealt a major blow with its streaming partner Caffeine TV announcing it will cease operations as of June 26th.

LIV Golf suffered a major setback when their US streaming partner, Caffeine TV, abruptly shut down, causing disruption to the broadcast strategy of the Saudi-backed series.

LIV Golf is currently facing a challenge as they search for alternatives following the closure of Caffeine TV, the pay-to-view service provider for American viewers. This development is particularly crucial as there are still six events left in LIV Golf’s 2024 calendar.

Despite having recently celebrated their partnership, LIV Golf is now left without a streaming platform due to Caffeine TV’s exit, which was attributed to profitability concerns in the competitive sports streaming industry.

Caffeine TV sadly announced the closure of their venture, stating, “Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.” They explained that due to not being profitable yet, they have decided to shut down the service on June 26th while they plan their next move.

LIV Golf partnered with Caffeine TV earlier this year with the goal of reaching a younger, more diverse audience compared to traditional broadcast platforms. Unfortunately, they are now facing the rest of the season without a key broadcaster.

Fans in the US have the option to watch LIV Golf on the CW Network and CW app, but this poses a challenge for those who do not have cable access. International followers can still access online streaming through LIV Golf Plus and the LIV Golf YouTube channel.

Despite this, the domestic market continues to be the largest in the global golf industry. Caffeine TV was seen as a valuable tool to assist LIV Golf in generating revenue after the significant financial investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC is currently at the top of the team standings after securing back-to-back victories in Jeddah and Hong Kong, as well as a second-place finish in Nashville. On the other hand, Joaquin Niemann, with two wins under his belt, is leading the individual standings, followed closely by Legion XIII teammates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who clinched the victory in Nashville last week.

Hatton finished the three-round tournament with a six-under-par final round, ending at 19-under and beating Sam Horsfield by six strokes. He won $4 million in prize money as a result.

The upcoming LIV Golf Andalucia event will be held in Spain next month, specifically from July 12-14 at Real Club Valderrama for the 10th event of the season.