Back9Network
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersHartford, Connecticut
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format480i (SDTV)

Back9Network was a 24/7 golf lifestyle cable television network and media company based in Hartford, Connecticut, United States. It was developed as an alternative to traditional media's focus on professional golf tournament coverage. Back9Network.com, the online clubhouse for Back9Network, delivered editorial and original content on golf lifestyle. The linear television channel broadcast for six months on DirecTV before closing due to undercapitalization. The company later shed its television assets in bankruptcy reorganization.

History

Back9Network was founded in 2010, first launched online in April 2012, and re-launched its website in January 2013. The network raised private equity from a number of shareholders and received a $5 million loan from the state of Connecticut (which closed in March 2013). In September 2014, Back9Network launched on DirecTV in 20 million TV households.[1][2] Ahmad Rashad was among Back9's most prominent names.[3]

On February 23, 2015, the channel suspended operations due to a lack of funding, owing $5 million to the state of Connecticut as well as millions more to other creditors. It went through $40 million in capital,[4] and 85 jobs were lost in two rounds of layoffs.[5] In December 2015, the company filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 and exited bankruptcy in July 2016 under the name Swing by Swing, primarily focused around a mobile app.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "'A lot of high fives' in Hartford: Back9Network's president on its DIRECTV deal". Golf Digest. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  2. ↑ Reynolds, Mike (June 23, 2014). "Back9Network Drives DirecTV Linear Deal". Multichannel News. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Ahmad Rashad leaves Golf Channel for Back9Network". USA Today. August 20, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  4. ↑ Haar, Dan (March 10, 2015). "Two Sides Compete To Revive Back9Network". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  5. ↑ Singer, Stephen. "Golf Lifestyle Network Plans Return Online". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  6. ↑ Cohen, Jeff (November 25, 2016). "Failed Back9Network Exits Bankruptcy as "Swing By Swing"". Connecticut Public. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
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