FSN Ohio and the University of Cincinnati have reached a new, multi-year agreement that will make FSN Ohio the exclusive regional cable home of UC football and men's and women's basketball.
UC programming in 2008-09 will include a minimum of 12 men's basketball games; two women's basketball games; preseason and postseason specials for football and basketball; season-long football and basketball coaches' shows; plus an extensive schedule of BIG EAST football and basketball games. Additional future programming will be crafted as well, including the airing of classic UC games and other special event broadcasts to be determined at a later date.
"As the leading regional sports network in Ohio, FSN Ohio is proud to be the exclusive regional cable home of the Bearcats," said senior vice president and general manager of FSN Ohio Steve Liverani. "UC Bearcat fans will be given the inside access and in-depth news and information on their teams that sports fans across the state have come to expect from FSN Ohio."
"Everyone at UC is excited to be partnering with FSN Ohio" said UC AD Mike Thomas. "FSN Ohio's market penetration in the Midwest is a major step forward for the Bearcats' brand as we continue to push the envelope in providing the best programming possible for UC alumni, fans, and students. Together, UC and FSNO will develop innovative media to promote the Bearcats, and will be creative as it helps us provide additional exposure to our championship legacy of UC Athletics."
The new relationship will begin Aug. 20 at 6 pm with a half-hour preseason look Inside Bearcats Football 2008. The show will be taped at the Bearcat's preseason home at Camp Higher Ground in West Harrison, IN and will feature in-depth interviews with Brian Kelly and the UC student-athletes.
The new coaches' shows, which will be titled Bearcats Sports Weekly with Brian Kelly and Bearcats Sports Weekly with Mick Cronin - will air Wednesday nights beginning Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Additional replays will also be scheduled around FSN programming on Thursday, Friday plus other days throughout the week. BSW will also be linked nationwide through the FCS (FOX College Sports) Network. A magazine-formatted show, Bearcats Sports Weekly will be hosted by UC's Tom Gelehrter, who is the Bearcats' radio sideline reporter for football and director of new media for the department of athletics, along with student-athlete hosts from the sports which are in-season.
Gelehrter will also handle play-by-play duties on the Bearcats women's basketball telecasts. He will work with former ESPN anchor and current local sports anchor Betsy Ross on the games. Ross, a 20-year veteran of the sports broadcasting business, is highly involved with the Cincinnati sports community through her public relations and marketing company Game Day Communications.
Announcements of additional talent and schedules are forthcoming.
