KSMO grabs the KU television contract

My KSMO-TV Signs New Deal With Jayhawk Television Network

The University of Kansas men’s basketball team is coming to My KSMO-TV for the 2009-2010 season as part of a multi-year deal just announced.

As the largest Jayhawk Television Network affiliate, My KSMO will serve as the Kansas City home to the 2008 National Champions’ regional men’s basketball game telecasts for the next four seasons. The exact number of games to be broadcast on My KSMO is still unknown, pending the release of the 09-10 season schedule in the late summer. The Jayhawk Television Network broadcasted six non-conference games during the 2008-09 season.

“We’ve been pursuing local sports rights since we purchased KSMO. Securing the rights to Kansas basketball is an outstanding opportunity for the station to recruit new viewers and our sellers to generate new revenue,” said Kirk Black, Senior Vice President-Meredith Broadcasting and General Manager KCTV5 (CBS) and My KSMO TV.

The contract also includes broadcast rights to 12 football coach’s shows with Mark Mangino, 15 men’s basketball coach’s shows with Bill Self and eight women’s basketball coach’s shows with Bonnie Henrickson. My KSMO will also air special programming including pre and post season shows for football and basketball.

The Jayhawk Television Network consistently scores big with viewers, averaging a Household rating of 5.5 the past two seasons.

“We are excited about having KSMO as a new partner. They bring a wealth of knowledge in packaging and selling sports programming in the Kansas City market. The partnership will also provide a great platform to promote and market all of our sports programs,” said Jason Booker, General Manger of Jayhawk Sports Marketing.

“This is some of the highest rated sports programming in the market and it fits with our mission to be hyper-local,” Black said