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Postseason Video Broadcast Information

All live or recorded (tape-delayed) video broadcasts of UIL postseason or playoff contests must be approved by UIL. The UIL retains all broadcast rights to postseason contests and has entered into an agreement with Dave Campbell’s/Sports in Action to manage these rights. Under this agreement, the UIL’s broadcast partners (NFHS Network and Victory+) have first rights to all UIL postseason contests they choose to cover.

Please see below for more information. Any questions should be directed to the UIL Media Department: pr@uiltexas.org.

Media Outlets & Independent Broadcast Entities

Media outlets and third-party professional broadcast entities interested in video broadcasting a postseason contest have two options:

1. Exclusive NFHS Network Streaming Distribution

Media outlets may enter into an agreement with Dave Campbell’s/Sports in Action on behalf of the NFHS Network to produce and distribute one or more postseason contests exclusively on the NFHS Network. Selected outlets will be permitted to do live reads for their sponsors and will be compensated for their production by Dave Campbell’s/Sports in Action based on the following fee structure:

Compensation

  • Football Contest: $500 per game
  • Non-Football Contest: $250 per game, event or series

Outlets interested in participating should contact Dave Campbell’s/Sports in Action at sublicense@davecampbells.com to be set up as an NFHS Production Partner.

NFHS and Dave Campbell’s/Sports in Action will make every attempt to accommodate the school’s preferred home broadcaster, provided the broadcaster:

  • has signed up proactively as an NFHS Production Partner, and
  • is confirmed as the school’s preferred broadcaster by the athletic director or superintendent.

School administrators may notify UIL of their preferred home broadcaster by submitting their information at this link.

In many cases, there may be two NFHS broadcasts of the same game, labeled as “Home” and “Visitor” Broadcasts. In the occurrence of rights being granted to two separate Home/Visitor broadcasts, the approved broadcast entities assume their own risk as far as internet/facility accommodations.  The UIL and Dave Campbell’s/Sports in Action make no assurances of standard broadcast space and/or other accommodations.

If a school’s preferred broadcaster is not an NFHS Production Partner, they must apply to sublicense the broadcast rights for the game (see #2 option below).   

2. Sublicense Video Rights

If a UIL postseason contest is not being produced by a UIL broadcast partner or via the compensation model above, broadcast rights may be sublicensed to other media outlets or broadcast entities.

To utilize this option, interested outlets must:

1. Complete the [Playoff Broadcast Request] form by noon the business day prior to the event.

2. Receive an approval email from Dave Campbell’s/Sports In Action prior to the requested event.

3. If approved, payment is required up front unless otherwise agreed upon (detailed below).

Invoices will be sent via PayPal by Dave Campbell’s/Sports In Action.

Fees.

  • Linear TV:
    • $2000 per football contest
    • $1000 per non-football contest
  • Online Video Stream:
    • $500 per football contest
    • $250 per non-football contest

All broadcasts must meet the following criteria:

  1. The video broadcast must be provided to the public through a linear or reliable web broadcast with minimal buffering.
  2. Video broadcast must feature at least one high definition camera.
  3. Video broadcast must feature at least one on-air broadcaster to call play-by-play of the event.
  4. Video broadcast is prohibited from advertising in the following categories:
    • Political Announcements
    • Cigarettes or other tobacco products
    • Gambling services or venues
    • Sexual services or adult entertainment venues
    • Alcohol
    • Firearms

The approved broadcaster is responsible for communication with the schools for selected broadcasts. The approved broadcaster will schedule the set-up and tear-down times for equipment with the schools and the venues. The approved broadcaster is responsible for any expenses associated with the broadcast. UIL approval does not guarantee preferred placement, accommodations are at the discretion of the host venue.

Broadcast Opportunities for UIL Member Schools:

Non-Commercial Academic Video Broadcasts

Non-commercial academic video broadcasts will not be allowed if a UIL postseason contest is being broadcast by a UIL broadcast partner or sublicensee. If a contest is not being broadcast by a UIL broadcast partner, schools may be approved to do a video broadcast, provided it meets the requirements below.

DEFINITION: The UIL defines an Academic Broadcast as a broadcast with an educational purpose that is produced solely by a UIL-member school and/or school district primarily using school facilities, equipment, staff and students without any commercial relationship for the financial benefit of another party.

To utilize this option, schools must:

  1. Submit the [Playoff Broadcast Request] form by noon two business days prior to the event for football games or one day prior for all other events.
  2. Receive an approval email from UIL.

Any use of professional broadcasters should be as an exception on a limited basis and on a non-paid, volunteer basis. Regular season commercial obligations cannot be applied to postseason academic broadcasts.

Schools may air postseason academic broadcasts LIVE if approved by UIL. Additionally, schools may distribute the broadcast via their school or district website or via their official school-affiliated social media or YouTube channels. Other commercial .com websites are prohibited. The web page where the broadcast is to appear should be free of sponsor logos.

Failure to comply with the above may result in future prohibition of academic broadcasts.

There are no fees to do an academic broadcast.

NFHS School Broadcast Program Webcast

Schools who are members of the NFHS Network School Broadcast Program (SBP) and wish to broadcast a postseason contest on the network must:

  1. Submit the [Playoff Broadcast Request] form by noon two business days prior to the event for football games or one day prior for all other events.
  2. Receive an approval email from UIL.

Please note: An NFHS Network School Broadcast Program Webcast is not an Academic Broadcast and may include commercials. There are no fees to do an NFHS School Broadcast Program webcast.

WHAT IS THE NFHS SCHOOL BROADCAST PROGRAM?

The School Broadcast Program (or SBP) lets high schools produce and broadcast their own games, pep rallies, news shows, and any other event live on the NFHS Network. The NFHS Network has a dedicated support team and account managers to assist these schools with using the platform to stream their events. Most of these events are done by the actual students, and it is a great way for them to get real world experience and exposure to an always evolving technology platform.

To learn more, visit: https://nfhsnetwork.playonsports.com/overview