The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
First slate of shows announced for Longhorn Network
06.15.2011 | Texas Athletics
June 15, 2011
Texas Basketball coach Rick Barnes and Football's Heisman Trophy running back Ricky Williams were in Chicago at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association Cable Show on Wednesday to promote the Longhorn Network, and their visit coincided with the announcement of several daily and weekly shows slated for the network.
The 24-hour University of Texas network is set for launch on Friday, Aug. 26, and preparations are ongoing. ESPN, which will own and operate the network in partnership with UT and IMG College, is in discussions with all cable and satellite providers regarding distribution. Meanwhile, IMG College is selling sponsorships.
A complete schedule of programs will be released later this summer.
"We mean it when we say Longhorn Network will provide robust, unprecedented coverage of University of Texas Athletics," said Dave Brown, Longhorn Network vice president for programming and acquisitions. "These shows will exhibit the same high quality ESPN viewers are accustomed to and represent just a portion of the many great shows we have planned for Texas fans."
- Longhorn Extra (10 p.m. CT) - A nightly news and information show dedicated to the University of Texas. Every Monday through Friday, viewers will get highlights, updates, analysis, interviews, and behind the scenes looks at all 20 varsity sports teams.
- Rewind with Mack Brown (Mondays, 7 p.m.) - Exclusively on Longhorn Network, airing Mondays after every game, Coach Mack Brown will breakdown that week's match-up, highlighting key plays and turning points, with a no-holds-barred attitude that Longhorn fans have come to expect from him.
- Texas All Access (Wednesdays, 8 p.m.) - Each week, viewers will get a never-before-seen inside look at a Texas team or group. During Wednesdays in the fall, the show will focus exclusively on the football team with camera crews embedded with the coaches and players to provide access to the inner workings of Longhorn football.
- Game Plan with Mack Brown (Thursdays, 7 p.m.) - Exclusively on Longhorn Network, every Thursday during the season, Coach Mack Brown will preview the upcoming match-up with an inside look at game preparation and a breakdown of the keys to victory.
- Texas GameDay (two hours prior to kick every Saturday) - In the mold of ESPN's Emmy Award-winning College GameDay, Texas GameDay will be live from inside the stadium prior to kick-off for all home football games, and live from its Austin studio for all away games. Through a unique blend of talent, insights, analysis, and fan interaction, the show will build excitement around the game, providing viewers and fans with a full game day experience.
"Whenever you're involved in a first of its kind project like Longhorn Network, you know it's going to have a dramatic impact on your sport. We're going to be able to give fans of Texas and college football an inside look at our program like nobody's seen before," Football coach Mack Brown said. "It will give them a chance to see what it's like to be a Longhorn and get to know all the coaches, players and everyone involved in it on a much more personal basis. It's a very exciting opportunity for us, and one we're thrilled to be partnered with ESPN on. We're eagerly awaiting the start of the season and the launch of the network in August."
GetLonghornNetwork.com
Viewers seeking more information about where and how to get Longhorn Network in time for its Aug. 26 launch should visit GetLonghornNetwork.com. At launch, the site LonghornNetwork.com will be the broadband network home for Longhorn Network.
About Longhorn Network
ESPN has a 20-year agreement to own and operate a year-round, 24-hour network dedicated to Texas athletics in partnership with UT and IMG College. Longhorn Network, scheduled to launch August 26, 2011, will offer a variety of content, highlighted by more than 200 exclusive events annually from 20 sports, original series and studio shows, historical programming and academic and cultural happenings. Additionally, the LonghornNetwork.com broadband companion to the TV network will offer extensive content, particularly live games not carried on the linear TV network due to scheduling conflicts.
