70% Of Black U.S. Households To Be Able To Watch HBCU Football With New Streaming Deal
An estimated 70% of African-American households will have access to HBCU games when the 2022-2023 college football season kicks off on Sept. 3. That’s thanks to a new nationwide licensing agreement between Byron Allen’s free streaming service HBCU Go and CBS stations, Variety reports.
Under the distribution agreement,CBS owned-and-operated duopoly stations will carry the Allen Media Group’s digital sports programming in key markets that include New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Tampa, Detroit, Miami and Pittsburgh. It will reach an estimated 60% of all U.S. television households.
"Allen Media Group is thrilled that the CBS O&O stations have joined our excellent group of broadcast television station partners to increase the reach of HBCU GO's high-quality sports programming," Allen stated.
A joint statement noted that HBCU GO is the leading media provider for the nation's 107 HBCUs.
"We are proud to amplify these amazing athletes and HBCUs, while at the same time helping to finance the education of these young adults. Now sports fans across the country will have access to best-in-class games from America's HBCU," Allen continued.
Wendy McMahon, president and co-head of CBS News and Stations, called it an “honor” to partner with Allen Media Group to broadcast the games.
McMahon added, “As a Louisiana native and football fan, I am personally and professionally proud to play a role in having our stations shine a light on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the student athletes who are living out their dreams both on the field and in the classroom.”
This deal follows the recent announcement of HBCU Go’s rights to air premier NCAA Division 2 HBCU conference sporting events in a deal with Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA).
Launched in 2012, Allen, 61, purchased HBCU GO in 2021.
