When it was announced in January that ESPN had completed its purchase of reached an agreement with Texas on the creation of the Longhorn Network, it was thought at the time that the fledgling channel would televise one, maybe two football games a season, including this year’s opener.
As it turns out, the actual number, at least for the 2011 season, is at the optimistic end of the scale.
In a press release, it was announced Tuesday that the Longhorn Network will televise UT’s season opener against Rice on Sept. 3. Additionally, another to-be-determined conference game will be televised, with a decision on the specific game to be determined later in the season.
(Based on the schedule, it would seem that Iowa State on Oct. 1 would be the top candidate, followed by Kansas on Oct. 29.)
“We are thrilled to be able to bring not one but two games to Longhorn fans this year. The Texas-Rice game will be an exciting first for the network and demonstrate how we will provide the most comprehensive coverage of Texas football that fans have ever experienced,” Stephanie Druley, Longhorn Network vice president, production, said in a statement.
ESPN and the university reached an agreement earlier this year on a 20-year, $300 million deal, with the cable network also reportedly agreeing to pay the tab on approximately $400 million in production costs related to the creation of the network.
The new network is scheduled to launch August 26, 2011.