MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE, INC. AND GRAY MEDIA EXECUTE MULTI-YEAR BROADCASTING AGREEMENT
The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and Gray Media (NYSE: GTN) have announced a multi-year broadcasting agreement starting in the 2024-25 academic year. The deal covers production and distribution of MVC men's and women's basketball regular-season games and early rounds of the State Farm MVC Men's Basketball Tournament. Gray's subsidiary, Tupelo Honey, will produce and distribute content across 22 Gray Media markets in six states. The games will also be simulcast on ESPN+ without digital blackouts.
This partnership aims to enhance the reach of MVC basketball to fans through free over-the-air broadcasts. The agreement aligns with Gray's commitment to bringing live, local sports to viewers and strengthens The Valley's brand both regionally and nationally.
La Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) e Gray Media (NYSE: GTN) hanno annunciato un accordo di trasmissione pluriennale che avrà inizio nell'anno accademico 2024-25. L'accordo copre la produzione e la distribuzione delle partite di regular season di basket maschile e femminile della MVC e dei primi turni del Torneo di Basket Maschile State Farm MVC. La sussidiaria di Gray, Tupelo Honey, si occuperà della produzione e distribuzione dei contenuti in 22 mercati di Gray Media in sei stati. Le partite saranno inoltre trasmesse in simulcast su ESPN+ senza blackout digitali.
Questa partnership mira ad ampliare la portata del basket MVC per i tifosi tramite trasmissioni gratuite via etere. L'accordo è in linea con l'impegno di Gray a portare sport dal vivo e locali agli spettatori e rafforza il marchio della Valley sia a livello regionale che nazionale.
La Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) y Gray Media (NYSE: GTN) han anunciado un acuerdo de transmisión por varios años que comenzará en el año académico 2024-25. El acuerdo abarca la producción y distribución de los partidos de baloncesto masculino y femenino de la MVC durante la temporada regular y las primeras rondas del Torneo de Baloncesto Masculino State Farm MVC. La subsidiaria de Gray, Tupelo Honey, producirá y distribuirá contenido en 22 mercados de Gray Media en seis estados. Los partidos también se transmitirán simultáneamente por ESPN+ sin interrupciones digitales.
Esta asociación tiene como objetivo aumentar el alcance del baloncesto MVC para los aficionados a través de transmisiones gratuitas por aire. El acuerdo se alinea con el compromiso de Gray de llevar deportes locales en vivo a los espectadores y fortalece la marca de The Valley tanto a nivel regional como nacional.
미주리 밸리 컨퍼런스 (MVC)와 그레이 미디어 (NYSE: GTN)는 2024-25 학년도부터 시작되는 다년간 방송 계약을 발표했습니다. 이 계약은 MVC 남녀 농구 정규 시즌 경기와 주 농구 MVC 남자 토너먼트의 처음 몇 라운드의 제작 및 배급을 포함합니다. 그레이의 자회사인 튜펠로 허니는 6개 주의 22개 그레이 미디어 시장에서 콘텐츠를 제작하고 배급합니다. 또한 경기는 ESPN+에서 동시 방송될 것이며, 디지털 블랙아웃 없이 진행됩니다.
이번 파트너십은 팬들에게 무료 지상파 방송을 통해 MVC 농구의 도달 범위를 확대하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다. 이 계약은 지역 및 국가적으로 The Valley의 브랜드를 강화하고, 그레이가 시청자에게 실시간, 지역 스포츠를 제공하겠다는 약속과 일치합니다.
La Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) et Gray Media (NYSE: GTN) ont annoncé un accord de diffusion pluriannuel qui débutera lors de l'année académique 2024-25. Cet accord couvre la production et la distribution des matchs de saison régulière de basket masculin et féminin de la MVC ainsi que des premiers tours du tournoi de basket masculin State Farm MVC. La filiale de Gray, Tupelo Honey, produira et distribuera du contenu dans 22 marchés de Gray Media dans six États. Les matchs seront également diffusés en simulcast sur ESPN+ sans blackout numérique.
Ce partenariat vise à accroître la portée du basket MVC pour les fans grâce à des diffusions gratuites par voie hertzienne. L'accord s'inscrit dans l'engagement de Gray à offrir aux téléspectateurs des sports locaux en direct et renforce la marque The Valley à la fois au niveau régional et national.
Die Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) und Gray Media (NYSE: GTN) haben ein mehrjähriges Rundfunkabkommen bekannt gegeben, das im akademischen Jahr 2024-25 beginnt. Der Deal umfasst die Produktion und Verbreitung der regulären Saisonspiele der MVC im Männer- und Frauenbasketball sowie der frühen Runden des State Farm MVC Men's Basketball Turniers. Grays Tochtergesellschaft, Tupelo Honey, wird Inhalte in 22 Gray Media Märkten in sechs Bundesstaaten produzieren und verbreiten. Die Spiele werden auch simulcast auf ESPN+ ausgestrahlt, ohne digitale Sperren.
Diese Partnerschaft zielt darauf ab, die Reichweite des MVC-Basketballs für die Fans durch kostenlose Übertragungen zu erweitern. Die Vereinbarung steht im Einklang mit Grays Engagement, lokale Live-Sportarten den Zuschauern zugänglich zu machen, und stärkt die Marke The Valley sowohl regional als auch national.
- Multi-year broadcasting agreement expands MVC's reach across 22 Gray Media markets
- Partnership includes simulcast on ESPN+, increasing national exposure
- Free over-the-air broadcasts may increase viewership and fan engagement
- Collaboration leverages Gray's local market presence and Tupelo Honey's production expertise
- None.
This multi-year broadcasting agreement between the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and Gray Media represents a significant development in college sports broadcasting. The deal expands MVC's reach across 22 Gray Media markets in six states, potentially increasing viewership and brand exposure for the conference. The partnership with Tupelo Honey for production ensures high-quality content delivery.
The simultaneous streaming on ESPN+ without digital blackouts is a strategic move, catering to the growing trend of cord-cutting while maintaining traditional broadcast coverage. This dual-distribution approach could maximize audience reach and advertising potential. For Gray Media, this deal strengthens its position in local sports broadcasting, potentially boosting ad revenues and viewer engagement in key markets.
While financial terms weren't disclosed, such agreements typically involve significant revenue-sharing opportunities. The long-term nature of the deal provides stability for both parties, allowing for strategic planning and investment in production quality and marketing efforts.
This partnership marks a strategic pivot in college sports broadcasting, blending traditional over-the-air coverage with digital streaming. It's a savvy move by the MVC to maintain relevance in a fragmented media landscape. The deal ensures wide accessibility, which is important for maintaining and growing fan engagement, especially for mid-major conferences.
For Gray Media, this agreement diversifies its content portfolio and strengthens its position in local markets. It's a calculated bet on the enduring appeal of college basketball, particularly in regions where it's deeply ingrained in local culture. The inclusion of both men's and women's basketball aligns with the growing interest in women's sports, potentially opening up new advertising demographics.
The involvement of Tupelo Honey adds production expertise, which could enhance the viewing experience and overall product quality. This, combined with the ESPN+ simulcast, positions the MVC to attract younger, digitally-native audiences while retaining its traditional viewership base.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Missouri Valley Conference, Inc., and Gray Media (NYSE: GTN) today announced a multi-year agreement to produce and distribute MVC men’s and women’s basketball regular-season games and opening-round / quarterfinal State Farm MVC Men’s Basketball Tournament contests (“Arch Madness”) beginning with the 2024-25 academic year.
The linear over-the-air station package will be distributed in 22 Gray Media markets in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, and Tennessee and via third-party broadcast partners in markets outside of the Gray footprint.
As part of the agreement between The Valley and Gray, the men’s and women’s basketball content will be produced and distributed by Indianapolis-based Tupelo Honey, owned by Gray.
As part of the Conference’s multi-year contract with ESPN, the entire package will also be simulcast live nationally on ESPN+ and available through the ESPN app without digital blackouts.
“In the ever-changing landscape of live-event production and distribution, the Missouri Valley Conference remains committed to navigating the best path to reach college basketball fans, and this partnership with Gray does just that,” said Jeff Jackson, MVC Commissioner who is in his fourth year.
“Tupelo Honey and Gray have had a long relationship with The Valley, and we’re excited to help them bring games directly to fans free over-the-air,” said John Servizzi, President of Tupelo Honey.
“Gray is committed to bringing live, local sports to its viewers,” said Sandy Breland, Gray’s Chief Operating Officer. “This collaboration with The Valley will benefit fans, schools, and local communities. We couldn’t be more proud to partner with The Valley.”
About Missouri Valley Conference, Inc.
The Missouri Valley Conference -- the nation’s second-oldest NCAA Division I conference -- continues to be a leader in college athletics and is one of the nation’s most progressive conferences, celebrating its 118th season in 2024-25. The Valley brand remains very strong, both regionally and nationally, and the great athletic tradition of the Conference remains a compelling force in recruiting student-athletes and in marketing all the MVC programs. League members have worked together to focus on common goals and objectives, placing a high value on league harmony, while continuing to invest in athletic programs to compete at the highest level. League all-sport members include Belmont, Bradley, Drake, Evansville, Illinois Chicago (UIC), Illinois State, Indiana State, Missouri State, Murray State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois and Valparaiso.
About Gray Media
Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 43 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Gray owns a majority interest in Swirl Films.
About Tupelo Honey
Tupelo Honey, a Gray Media company, was formed in 1996 and merged with WebStream Sports in 2017. Tupelo Honey has a long and deep relationship with Missouri Valley Conference, Inc., producing its digital package since 2007. Tupelo produces more than 200 basketball games each year, seen on many major networks and streaming services.
Contacts
Gray Media: Sandy Breland at (404) 504-9828; sandy.breland@graymedia.com
Tupelo Honey: John Servizzi at (317) 358-6724; john.servizzi@tupelohoney.net
Missouri Valley Conference, Inc.: Mike Kern at (314) 435-4779; kern@mvc.org
FAQ
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