<P> The Ryder Cup matches were always covered by the BBC, whether in Britain or in the United States, even prior to the British team's merger with Europe . In the 1990s, Sky Sports became heavily involved in the Ryder Cup, and has since taken over live coverage, including creating a channel specifically dedicated for the 2014 and 2016 competition . The BBC still screens edited highlights each night . </P> <P> In the United States, the Ryder Cup was first televised live at the 1983 matches in Florida, with ABC Sports covering just the final four holes of the singles matches . A highlight package of the 1985 singles matches was produced by ESPN, but no live coverage aired from England . In 1987, with the matches back in the United States, ABC covered both weekend days, but only in the late afternoon . </P> <P> In 1989, USA Network began a long association with the Ryder Cup, by televising all three days live from England, the first live coverage of a Ryder Cup from Europe . This led to a one - year deal for the 1991 matches in South Carolina to be carried by NBC live on the weekend, with USA Network continuing to provide live coverage of the first day . All five sessions were broadcast for the first time . The success of the 1991 matches led to a contract extension with USA and NBC through 1997, marking a turning point in the competition's popularity . For the European matches, the first two days were taped and aired on delay in the U.S. Another extension with USA and NBC covering the 1999--2003 (later moved to 2004) competitions increased the number of hours of coverage to include the entire first day and most of the second day . Tape delay was still employed for competitions from Europe . </P> <P> The Ryder Cup's increased success led to a landmark contract with NBC (which had recently bought USA Network) to air the 2006--14 competitions on USA and NBC . It called for a record increase in coverage hours, with the second day now having near - complete coverage . Tape delay was last used for the 2006 event in Ireland . In 2006, ESPN was sub-licensed rights to Friday coverage, as part of a larger transaction between NBC and Disney that also resulted in ABC Sports personality Al Michaels moving to NBC to join their then - upcoming Sunday - night NFL games, ESPN gaining expanded access to highlights from events whose rights are owned by NBC, and Disney acquiring the rights to the cartoon character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (who was created by Walt Disney in 1927 for a series of animated shorts distributed by Universal Pictures). </P>

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