KU Athletics, IMG College, and Time Warner Cable Sports Agree to Distribution Deal

Kansas Athletics and IMG College, the multimedia rights holder for KU Athletics, have agreed to a long-term television partnership with Time Warner Cable Sports that includes regional distribution for more than 300 hours of original Kansas Athletics programming annually, including live games and extensive non-game programming solely focused on the Jayhawks, plus encore presentations.

Time Warner Cable Metro Sports is a 24/7 sports network based in Kansas City. The network’s Kansas Athletics non-game programming will also be available to millions of Time Warner Cable customers across the country via video on demand.

Time Warner Cable Metro Sports’ live events will include football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, and track and field events.

“When Time Warner Cable Sports approached us with this concept, we knew, if done right, it could greatly benefit Kansas Athletics and our fan base,” Kansas Director of Athletics Sheahon Zenger said. “With more Kansas Athletics programming available throughout the state and to Time Warner cable customers throughout the country than ever has been before, Jayhawk fans will have more opportunities to catch our sports in action. We are eager to work with Time Warner Cable Metro Sports to bring this exciting concept to life.”

“This expanded television partnership is great news for loyal Jayhawk fans in Kansas and all over the country, as well as our Kansas Athletics corporate partners,” said Jason Booker, General Manager for Jayhawk IMG Sports Marketing.  “Fans everywhere will be able to enjoy more than 300 hours of Kansas Athletics programming annually, including live games and extensive non-game content, plus encore presentations.  This will extend the Jayhawk brand significantly while providing corporate partners with many new ways to support the Jayhawks and reach one of the most attractive and passionate fan bases in college sports. Kansas Athletics programming distribution details for the rest of the state are being discussed.”

”Time Warner Cable Metro Sports is extremely excited to partner with Kansas Athletics and IMG to bring Kansas programming to Time Warner Cable subscribers in Kansas City and across the country,” said Chris Huwe, General Manager, Time Warner Cable Metro Sports. “We know how much KU fans care about the Jayhawks and are proud to produce live games and extensive KU Athletics programming on Time Warner Cable Metro Sports.”

Time Warner Cable Metro Sports, in partnership with Kansas Athletics, will produce extensive first-run, non-game programming centered on KU Athletics. A first for KU, this programming will allow Jayhawk fans to be closer to their favorite teams than they ever have before. The programming includes pre- and post-game shows for Jayhawk football and men’s basketball games, a weekly “magazine-style” show, Hawk Talk Radio Show simulcasts, a social media-centered show driven by fans, live press conferences, a Jayhawk Rewind highlight show, a quarterly Jayhawk Legends series and quarterly University of Kansas academic specials.

In addition, Jayhawk Men’s Basketball JTV games will continue to be available live on WIBW (Topeka) and tape delayed on WOW Channel 6 (Lawrence) in addition to the weekly “magazine style” show.