2009-10 Southland Conference Television Network Announces Affiliates
LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Southland Conference Television Network will be seen in a minimum of 13 broadcast markets when the 2009 football season begins, and the league’s programming will also be available via video streaming at no cost to a worldwide audience. The network announcement came Wednesday during the Southland’s Football Media Day luncheon at the L’Auberge du Lac Resort.
After a well-received first year of broadcasting, the second season of Southland Conference Television Network programming will feature 31 live events during the 2009-10 academic year, including 11 football telecasts, 16 basketball broadcasts and four championship games from the conference’s baseball, volleyball, soccer and softball tournaments.
“We are very pleased with the commitments shown by our great broadcast partners in the Southland region,” league commissioner Tom Burnett said. “By agreeing to join us, the affiliates re-affirm that Southland programming is of great value to the viewers in our footprint.” Burnett added that additional affiliates should be announced in the coming weeks.
The Southland also announced Wednesday that its internet streaming effort through its website www.southland.org, known as SLC NOW, will now be offered a no cost to viewers. SLC NOW, originally a paid subscription service, will simulcast every Southland TV Network broadcast in addition to airing numerous other championship events.
“We look forward to providing SLC NOW programming at no charge to our viewers, and we expect those viewing numbers to increase exponentially,” Burnett added.
The 11-game football broadcast schedule begins with the Sept. 3 season-opener, a Thursday evening contest between Western Illinois and Sam Houston State. That will be followed by the North Dakota at Northwestern State game on Sept. 19, and the Texas Southern at Texas State contest on Sept. 26. The conference opener featuring McNeese State at Stephen F. Austin will be broadcast on Oct. 10, and SFA will be featured again at Central Arkansas on Oct. 17.
The Southeastern Louisiana at McNeese State contest on Oct. 24 will be televised, as will the Northwestern State at Sam Houston State game on Oct. 31, the Texas State at Central Arkansas tilt on Nov. 7, and the McNeese State at Texas State contest on Nov. 14. Another Thursday night telecast, Nicholls State at Southeastern Louisiana, will be featured on Nov. 19, and the Network will again broadcast a “wildcard” game on the last regular-season date, Nov. 21, determining the matchup later as the conference race develops. All televised games will kickoff at 6 p.m., Central.
The Network, which was an unknown quantity a year ago, quickly blossomed into an exciting and valuable programming option for local television stations and cable systems, as well as national cable and satellite subscribers.
“We could have never imagined the fantastic response the Network has received from our affiliates, sponsors and viewers during the first year,” Burnett added. “It’s obvious that this is desired programming, and we look forward to televising more and more.
Jeff Watts Productions (JWP) of Fort Worth, Texas, will again serve as the lead production company for the Southland Network. JWP began operations in 1986, and during the last two decades has created more than 1,000 original programs, including sports, travel, outdoors and corporate marketing programs.
The Network will announce basketball broadcasts at a later date.
Southland Conference Television Network Affiliates
Little Rock-Pine Bluff-Conway, Ark.: KARZ-TV
Baton Rouge, La.: WBTR-TV
Lake Charles, La.: Suddenlink Communications
Shreveport, La.-Texarkana, Texas-Ark.: KPXJ –TV
Austin-San Marcos, Texas: Time Warner Cable
San Marcos, Texas (Texas State campus): Grande Communications
Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas: KUIL-TV
Corpus Christi, Texas: Time Warner Cable
Dallas-Arlington-Plano, Texas: Time Warner Cable
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas: KTBU-TV
San Antonio, Texas: Time Warner Cable
Tyler-Longview-Nacogdoches-Lufkin, Texas: MyTX 18
Waco-Temple-Killeen, Texas: Time Warner Cable
As of July 27, 2009; Additional affiliates expected at a later date.
2009 Southland Conference Television Network Football Broadcast Schedule
Thu., Sept. 3, Western Illinois at Sam Houston State, 6 p.m.
Sat. Sept. 19, North Dakota at Northwestern State, 6 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 26, Texas Southern at Texas State, 6 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 10, McNeese State at Stephen F. Austin, 6 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 17, Stephen F. Austin at Central Arkansas, 6 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 24, Southeastern Louisiana at McNeese State, 6 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 31, Northwestern State at Sam Houston State, 6 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 7, Texas State at Central Arkansas, 6 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 14, McNeese State at Texas State, 6 p.m.
Thu., Nov. 19, Nicholls State at Southeastern Louisiana, 6 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 21, Wildcard Game (Teams TBD), 6 p.m.
All Times Central and Subject to Change