Renowned CBS Sports correspondent Amanda Balionis is dialing in on a period of transformation as she takes a hiatus from the PGA Tour, planning to revamp her routines and health habits ahead of a grand return for The Masters in April.
Balionis, best known for her insightful commentary and dynamic presence on the sidelines of the golfing world, recently sparked intrigue among her followers with an Instagram update. As she savored her bone broth, the sports journalist hinted at her aspiration to adopt new health-focused rituals and products, leaving fans wondering about her absence throughout the coming months.
Reading between the lines, Balionis’ cryptic message implies her absence from PGA Tour coverage until the prestigious Masters, set to take place in April. Golf enthusiasts will need to be patient before once again seeing Balionis in action, microphone in hand, as she expertly dissects the golfing drama.
However, Balionis isn’t alone in her break from the golfing world. CBS, which shares the PGA Tour’s broadcast rights with NBC, is also on a hiatus from the sport. The broadcasting behemoth covers approximately 20 events per season, primarily focusing on weekend rounds. Consequently, CBS and Balionis won’t be returning to the golf broadcasting arena until the Masters Tournament from April 10 to 13, 2025.
In an exciting twist for golf aficionados, CBS Sports has promised expanded coverage for this year’s Masters. In what is set to be a grand spectacle, CBS is adding five extra hours of live coverage across television and streaming platforms.
This is a significant upgrade compared to the 2024 Masters coverage, which aired from 3 PM to 7 PM ET on Saturday and 2 PM to 7 PM ET on Sunday. However, this year, CBS plans to extend the TV coverage by an hour on Saturday, ensuring both weekend days offer coverage from 2 PM to 7 PM ET. This additional five hours of coverage promises golf fans unprecedented access to one of the sport’s most prestigious events.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley couldn’t contain his enthusiasm regarding the extended coverage, stating, “The Masters Tournament has had the great fortune of enjoying an extraordinary relationship with CBS Sports for nearly 70 years. Alongside our friends at the network, we are pleased to extend the Tournament’s weekend coverage and ultimately deliver more live golf for Masters fans.”
Despite CBS’s amplified Masters coverage, NBC continues to hold a strong position in PGA Tour broadcasting, covering major events such as the Players Championship, the Open, and the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
However, this promising news comes with a catch. CBS and YouTube TV are currently at a standstill in their negotiations. If a deal isn’t struck soon, CBS, CBS Sports, and Paramount+ may become inaccessible to YouTube TV users after February 13, 2025. This could mean that major sports events, including the much-anticipated Masters, may be off-limits to YouTube TV subscribers.
YouTube TV has confirmed that despite good faith negotiations, an agreement has not been reached with Paramount, which owns CBS and CBS Sports. The cause of this deadlock remains undisclosed. For the golf fan base, this predicament could lead to a last-minute deal or force them to seek alternative avenues to witness The Masters.
With April on the horizon, CBS is gearing up for its most extensive Masters coverage yet. However, the lingering question remains – will all golf fans get a chance to enjoy it? Only time will tell.
