The broadcast package will debut with nine football game broadcasts beginning in September. The football broadcast package will be followed by a planned 16-game basketball broadcast schedule, including five games from the 2009 Southland Basketball Tournament in Katy, Texas.

In addition to football and basketball, the Southland Network will also feature the championship games of the 2008 Volleyball Tournament and the 2009 Baseball Tournament. It is also anticipated that all live game broadcasts will be simulcast by video streaming on the Southland’s official web site, http://www.southland.org/.

Also planned are nine episodes of a new 30-minute magazine show, “Inside the Southland Conference,” which will feature stories and interviews with league coaches, administrators and student-athletes. “Inside the Southland Conference” debuts on network affiliate stations in September and will continue with new episodes through May, 2009.

“We’re thrilled to announce plans for the new Southland Conference Television Network,” league commissioner Tom Burnett said. “Our campus administrators have discussed enhancements in our television options in recent years, and the league’s television committee developed a great plan in the last year to promote the Southland and its successful athletic programs.

“The enthusiasm and unanimous support from the member institutions for this new package has been met with a great deal of interest from broadcast stations in the Southland’s three-state region,” Burnett added, noting that broadcast license negotiations are ongoing with numerous stations and regional cable networks.   “We expect an announcement of network affiliates prior to the start of football season.”

The Southland Network will also broadcast a wildcard game on the last regular-season weekend, and will determine the exact matchup as the conference race develops.   “The wildcard gives us flexibility we’ve never had in previous broadcast agreements, and this option gives us the ability to ensure a televised matchup that likely determines the league championship,” Burnett said. “We’ll likely do the same with the basketball broadcast schedule.

“Additionally, the monthly magazine shows will give Southland fans and followers the ability to learn more about the campuses and communities around the league,” he said.   “Plus, we can feature those sports and student-athletes that don’t usually gain television exposure.”