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.
I think we all figured it would be just one game, and I was happy with that. More than two games would be too much. Not everybody has this channel. If they don’t do a deal with all the biggest cable providers, people are going to be pissed.
Which cable/sat companies will be carrying the network? I know as of now, U-verse doesn’t plan to.
Neither Verizon FiOS nor Comcast is planning on offering it in Maryland. I can only hope ESPN360 carries it.
Wise choice by the Longhorn Network. These two games should constitute at least half and probably one third of the Longhorns victories for the year.
THIS IS WHY YOU ARE A JOKE OF A CONFERENCE BIG WHATEVER!! HAVE SOME SELF RESPECT AND TELL THESE A__HOLES TO GO IT ALONE. OR AT LEAST MAKE THEM BUY Y’ALL THE VASELINE.
WAR EAGLE!!
So Texas is going to show the worst game on its schedule. Maybe the Longhorn fans will get lucky and they will show the Iowa State game as well. Can’t miss TV right there. Seriously though, if I was Comcast, I wouldn’t pick up the network until I see if the Longhorns had a hiccup last year or they are beginning to fall down as a program.
The Horns have really hooked ‘em. LOL. Good luck Not as Big 12!
When is the name of the conference changing to the Big Texas?
That’s a bummer. I too hope that ESPN3 gets these games.
What a joke. I can’t imagine any carrier outside of Texas and Oklahoma offering the Texas Channel on any standard or even deluxe cable tier.
I understand why Texas started their own network, but the Longhorns would have been better off joining a super conference. If they end up showing too many games on the Longhorn Network they’ll fall off the national radar.
These Texass scumbags have the Big12 commish in their pocket & the rest of the conference by the short hairs. Can we just give them back to Mexico?