The British Open will move to NBC Sports Group for U.S. television coverage starting in 2017.

The network announced the 12-year deal with the R&A on Monday.

The R&A is wrapping up an eight-year contract with ESPN.

The new agreement returns the British Open to traditional network television with coverage on NBC. NBCUniversal-owned Golf Channel will also broadcast part of the tournament, the first time it will air a men's major live.

ESPN partner ABC split coverage with TNT before the British Open moved entirely to cable under the current ESPN deal.

NBC lost its U.S. Open rights in 2013 when the USGA agreed to a 12-year contract with Fox. NBC aired that tournament for the last time a year ago. Now the network is back in the majors.

The deal with the R&A also includes the Women's British Open.

 

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