Masters 2015 viewing guide: Coverage schedule and how to watch live from Augusta

There are many ways the Masters is different from every other major championship and every other golf tournament in the world. One big way is the access granted to the media for TV coverage.

Like everything else with the Masters, the broadcast rights operate according to tradition. CBS has the rights, working on a one-year contract every year since 1956, when it focused on just the last four holes. The front nine wasn’t even covered until the early 90s. ESPN acquired partial rights to the first two rounds in 2008. While the broadcast is on ESPN, it’s CBS that still controls the production and has most of their people on-air calling the action.

With everything operating on a one-year contract, Augusta National holds a lot of influence over who gets on the air. The most notorious example is Gary McCord, one of the CBS golf regulars, getting banned from the grounds after he said the 17th green was playing like they it was “bikini waxed” waaaay back in 1994. When ESPN acquired some rights, it was rumored that bombastic and buffoonish Chris Berman was told to stay away but ESPN insisted it was solely their decision. Mike Tirico and Scott Van Pelt are the primary anchors on the grounds, where SportsCenter originates for much of the week.

The other grand tradition of Masters TV broadcasting is limiting the coverage and limiting the commercials (just four minutes from a few traditional sponsors during every hour of coverage). The U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA all have broadcasts from early in the morning until sundown. The Masters thinks too much coverage would take away from the mystique and maybe offend our sensibilities -- a traditional view held by Clifford Roberts and some of the earliest founders of the club. So there’s never any TV coverage in the morning, which can always be frustrating. This year, for instance, you won’t be able to watch or stream Tiger Woods’ second round on Friday. He’s out at 10:30 a.m. ET, well before ESPN goes live, and he won’t be on one of the Featured Groups streams.

SB Nation presents: Tiger Woods is finished

While the TV coverage is archaically limited, the Masters made admirable and industry-leading efforts over the years to improve their online offerings. This year they will have the usual four-stream setup on Masters.com, covering Nos. 11-13 at Amen Corner, the par-5 15 and par-3 16th, and two featured groups streams. That’s the best way to watch golf in the morning each day. The Amen Corner stream is the first one that will go live, beginning at approximately 10:45 a.m. ET the first two rounds.

The featured groups streams are obviously a nice alternative before the TV broadcast and usually feature the biggest names in the field. Those groups were released Wednesday night and are as follows:

As I noted above, the biggest omission there is Tiger on Friday. This is a thing that Augusta has been doing for a couple years now. There’s always one round of his through the first two days that you won’t be able to see and this year it’s Friday. He may have a hole or two left when ESPN goes live at 3 p.m., but that’s about all you will get of his second round.

If you’re really, really into the Masters and Augusta National, CBS Sports Network and Masters.com will continue their “On the Range” show. That’s been running all week and will continue for all four tournament days if you want to see players hit practice shots (or Miguel Angel Jimenez perform his crazy stretching routine).

Jim Nantz’s pipes are ready, the treacly music is cued up, and all the cameras are in place. Even if the coverage is limied compared to the other majors, this is the most watched golf event every year. Here are all your media options for the week:

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Live Masters On the Range - CBS Sports Network

3 - 7:30 p.m.: Live first round coverage - ESPN

8 - 11 p.m.: Replay of first round coverage - ESPN

Available at Masters.com

10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Amen Corner live stream

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Live Masters on the Range

11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m.: Nos. 15 and 16 live stream

12 p.m. - completion (~7:30 p.m.): Featured Group 1 and Featured Group 2 streams

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Live Masters on the Range - CBS Sports Network

3 - 7:30 p.m.: Live second round coverage - ESPN

8 - 11 p.m.: Replay of second round coverage - ESPN

Available at Masters.com

10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Amen Corner live stream

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Live Masters on the Range

11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m.: Nos. 15 and 16 live stream

12 p.m. - completion (~7:30 p.m.): Featured Group 1 and Featured Group 2 streams

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Live Masters on the Range - CBS Sports Network

3 - 7 p.m.: Live third round coverage - CBS

3 - 7 p.m.: Simulcast of TV coverage at Masters.com

Available at Masters.com

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Live Masters on the Range

11:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Amen Corner live stream

12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Nos. 15 and 16 live stream

12:30 p.m. - completion (~7 p.m.): Featured Group 1 and Featured Group 2 streams (times TBD)

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Live Masters on the Range - CBS Sports Network

2 - 7 p.m.: Live final round coverage - CBS

3 - 7 p.m.: Simulcast of TV coverage at Masters.com

Available at Masters.com

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Live Masters on the Range

11:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Amen Corner live stream

12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Nos. 15 and 16 live stream

12:30 p.m. - completion (~7 p.m.): Featured Group 1 and Featured Group 2 streams (times TBD)

Conclusion of play: Green jacket ceremony