Samsung crafts a PGA Championship app for its smart TVs

By Alex Tretbar August 4, 2014

samsung reveals pga championship app for smart tvs — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Samsung today revealed a new app dedicated specifically to the PGA Championship and built for the company’s own smart TVs. The announcement comes just a few days before the tournament, one of the four major championships in golf, kicks off on August 7. The PGA Championship TV app, which Samsung developed as part of a collaboration with Turner Sports, gives viewers access to scoring, player, and course information, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

The app is available on 2013 and 2014 Samsung smart TVs, and users can download the Android companion app for additional multiscreen features.

While watching the tournament on TNT or CBS, viewers will be able to use the app’s Broadcast Mode to toggle between alternate live video feeds (i.e. “Par 3 Cam” and “Marquee Group”), pull up an interactive leaderboard, and keep tabs on their favorite golfers. Users will also be able to take part in the Pick the Hole Location Challenge hosted by Jack Nicklaus. The app feature will let viewers cast a live vote for the hole location to be used on the 16th hole during the final round of the tournament on August 10. Viewers will be able to vote in real time via their Samsung smart TVs until 7 p.m. EDT on August 9.

The companion app for Android will enable users to pair their TV and mobile device for their own customized viewing. For instance, a user of the app might view the live championship action and exclusive content on their mobile device while simultaneously using a Google Chromecast to cast live video streams, custom leaderboards, and event highlights to their smart TV, for everyone to see.

Samsung will be on-site at the event running August 7-10 with 23 of their flashy curved Ultra HD TVs, the latest Galaxy Tab S devices, and NX compact system cameras. Calling it the “Samsung Experience,” the device showcase will be featured at a tented area that will allow attendees to catch up on any action they might’ve missed, share their own favorite moments from the tournament, and even cool off and recharge their mobile devices. The experimental project’s crown jewel is a monstrous 16-foot curved display consisting of nine 65-inch curved UHD TVs that will broadcast live tournament footage.

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Alex Tretbar, audio/video intern, is a writer, editor, musician, gamer and sci-fi nerd raised on EverQuest and Magic: The…

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