SNY Losing Coverage of UCONN Women's BB Next Season

[PvP]

As is generally known, starting with the 2025-26 season, UConn women's basketball games will no longer be televised by SNY due to a new media rights deal for the Big East. The new deal includes NBC Sports, TNT Sports, and Fox Sports as content providers, which means UConn games will be spread across multiple networks instead of being concentrated on one. This implies that not only will SNY not cover the actual play-by-play, we wilI also lose the pre-and post-game analysis and commentary by Kara Wolters and, often, Gary Apple.

Losing the play-by-play coverage is IMO a significant loss as Meg and Allen clearly are more focused on and more knowledgeable about the Huskies than any of the network talking heads. This seems irredeemable unfortunately, particularly as Meg has been such a part of the Husky family for so very long.

But I see no reason why SNY should discontinue the pre- and post-game coverage and also other coverage such as the Geno show and other specials as there is already a precedent for such coverage on SNY. This is exactly the kind of coverage that they provide for the NY Jets. I would hope for similar coverage to continue for us as well.

If anyone agrees, please reach out to SNY and let them know.

 

[Centerstream]

It's a 2 edged sword...if SNY is being forced out of the UConn game coverage, why should they continue to have UConn related shows??? Did the previous broadcast partner continue to broadcast UConn related shows (I actually do not know the answer)?
Or if SNY is truly a UConn fan, maybe they will continue coverage in some manner.
I don't think that UConn had any voice in it's broadcast partner, it is all controlled by the Big East broadcast rights that they have recently agreed to.

 

[Next 12]

I could not get SNY where I live in So. Carolina. I should have more luck with NBC,TNT . and FOX sports. So I think this is an up-grade for me. GO FRESHMEN!!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!

 

[Bone Dog]

I’m more worried that not all games will be televised by this new patchwork of coverage.

 

[uconnfan68]

It's a 2 edged sword...if SNY is being forced out of the UConn game coverage, why should they continue to have UConn related shows??? Did the previous broadcast partner continue to broadcast UConn related shows (I actually do not know the answer)?
Or if SNY is truly a UConn fan, maybe they will continue coverage in some manner.
I don't think that UConn had any voice in it's broadcast partner, it is all controlled by the Big East broadcast rights that they have recently agreed to.

They'll have shows IF the ratings are better than the alternative programming. Not sure if that will be the case without the actual games, which are ratings winners for them.

 

[Centerstream]

I’m more worried that not all games will be televised by this new patchwork of coverage.

In the old days of the Big12, ESPN covered a lot of the sports on ESPN+. These broadcasts were usually school based products, for example they would broadcast OU women's basketball and softball. Broadcast teams that people would refer to as "homers", much like SNY but lower in production quality. I wonder if this will be the case for future Huskies' games not carried by a national network?

 

[TheGOAT23]

Well, YouTube dropped SNY in my area two years ago.

 

[Centerstream]

Well, YouTube dropped SNY in my area two years ago.

And I am still confused by the fact that some out of market YouTubeTV subscribers can stream the SNY broadcasts using the Fox Sports App while others can't. It's my understanding that some fans in MD and SC can't but fans in NM can.
But next season, no more confusion, I guess.

 

[Longtime fan]

As is generally known, starting with the 2025-26 season, UConn women's basketball games will no longer be televised by SNY due to a new media rights deal for the Big East. The new deal includes NBC Sports, TNT Sports, and Fox Sports as content providers, which means UConn games will be spread across multiple networks instead of being concentrated on one. This implies that not only will SNY not cover the actual play-by-play, we wilI also lose the pre-and post-game analysis and commentary by Kara Wolters and, often, Gary Apple.

Losing the play-by-play coverage is IMO a significant loss as Meg and Allen clearly are more focused on and more knowledgeable about the Huskies than any of the network talking heads. This seems irredeemable unfortunately, particularly as Meg has been such a part of the Husky family for so very long.

But I see no reason why SNY should discontinue the pre- and post-game coverage and also other coverage such as the Geno show and other specials as there is already a precedent for such coverage on SNY. This is exactly the kind of coverage that they provide for the NY Jets. I would hope for similar coverage to continue for us as well.

If anyone agrees, please reach out to SNY and let them know.

Good points and I shall do so. But I fear it will make no difference. They must have already looked at the numbers and concluded it wasn't enough. Inevitably, " things change." and often, not to our liking or benefit.

 

[ec33]

I’m more worried that not all games will be televised by this new patchwork of coverage.

I suspect that someone will pick up all the games one way or another. Perhaps they will be poorly produced, but they will either by found on Peacock or the FoxSports App (or whatever it is called).

The more games on Peacock, the more you need Peacock.

 

[hoopsfan22]

We'll be losing a valuable member of our media pool. I don't think people appreciate how much extra coverage SNY does for the program. We're not going to get that with patchwork national networks who will treat us like one of their other dozens of programs in their college sports portfolios.

 

[hoopsdiva]

Well, YouTube dropped SNY in my area two years ago.

The selection of streaming options that carry SNY has been steadily diminishing. The only good part about this whole thing is that will no longer be a consideration if I want to change my streaming service after this season.

 

[meyers7]

We'll be losing a valuable member of our media pool. I don't think people appreciate how much extra coverage SNY does for the program. We're not going to get that with patchwork national networks who will treat us like one of their other dozens of programs in their college sports portfolios.

That's because they don't put their coverage out where people can get to it. I for one will be glad to move away from SNY.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I’m more worried that not all games will be televised by this new patchwork of coverage.

Same. I fear I'll be listening to a lot games on the Varsity Network App.

 

[MSGRET]

I’m more worried that not all games will be televised by this new patchwork of coverage.

Currently Fox Sports app has on their site where you can go and watch almost every Big East game over the internet. I believe that this will continue next year as part of their service package. I also believe that with the amount of outlets that are going to cover the Big East games that every game that UConn plays will be televised by someone. Be it Fox, FS1, FS2, CBS Sports, TNT Sports, NBC Sports, ESPN and their affiliates, or local stations picked up by the Big East.

 

[Jonathan14]

The selection of streaming options that carry SNY has been steadily diminishing. The only good part about this whole thing is that will no longer be a consideration if I want to change my streaming service after this season.

I've noticed that, too. I live in a house full of UConn basketball, Mets, and English Premier League soccer fans, and for a couple of years, Fubo was a great solution for us. Then Fubo dropped SNY last spring at the beginning of the baseball season, and we haven't figured out a cost-effective approach yet.

 

[cancontent]

Currently Fox Sports app has on their site where you can go and watch almost every Big East game over the internet. I believe that this will continue next year as part of their service package. I also believe that with the amount of outlets that are going to cover the Big East games that every game that UConn plays will be televised by someone. Be it Fox, FS1, FS2, CBS Sports, TNT Sports, NBC Sports, ESPN and their affiliates, or local stations picked up by the Big East.

It's very likely that they'll try to replicate what the BIG10 does with their new media deal. And considering UConn is still the main attraction for the Big East, they would likely do what was done with Iowa and have a lot of their games on the main networks.

 

[hoopsfan22]

It's very likely that they'll try to replicate what the BIG10 does with their new media deal. And considering UConn is still the main attraction for the Big East, they would likely do what was done with Iowa and have a lot of their games on the main networks.

Don't Fox and CBSSN already have the ability to broadcast as many UConn games as they want, so why don't they, and why will it suddenly be more financially beneficial next season to entice them to do so?

 

[MSGRET]

Don't Fox and CBSSN already have the ability to broadcast as many UConn games as they want, so why don't they, and why will it suddenly be more financially beneficial next season to entice them to do so?

Actually they don't, the only games they can broadcast are ones that are not being covered by SNY or ESPN. Once the contract expires then they along with the others have the rights to coverage. Most likely the pecking order would be FOX and their affiliates get the first crack since they are the main provider of Big East play. Then the others would get a crack on the other games that are not part of ESPN's coverage contract.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Actually they don't, the only games they can broadcast are ones that are not being covered by SNY or ESPN. Once the contract expires then they along with the others have the rights to coverage. Most likely the pecking order would be FOX and their affiliates get the first crack since they are the main provider of Big East play. Then the others would get a crack on the other games that are not part of ESPN's coverage contract.

I think it's the other way around with SNY having Tier 3 rights. That's why SNY had to work out a deal with ESPN and then Fox just to cover the games they do now. If SNY outright owned those rights they could tell ESPN and Fox to go pound sand. That's why SNY never gets the big home games. For example I have to think SNY would love to have Saturday night's USC game, but they can't because they pick last after Fox (Tier 1) and CBSSN (Tier 2) choose which games they want.

 

[MSGRET]

I think it's the other way around with SNY having Tier 3 rights. That's why SNY had to work out a deal with ESPN and then Fox just to cover the games they do now. If SNY outright owned those rights they could tell ESPN and Fox to go pound sand. That's why SNY never gets the big home games. For example I have to think SNY would love to have Saturday night's USC game, but they can't because they pick last after Fox (Tier 1) and CBSSN (Tier 2) choose which games they want.

Actually they have a contract that they get 17 or 18 UConn games to broadcast, it's the others that get to choose what games they have between them, but SNY still gets a minimum of 17 games.

 

[JSB60]

I cannot get SNY and I get all the new providers, so I’m pleased with this.

 

[cancontent]

Don't Fox and CBSSN already have the ability to broadcast as many UConn games as they want, so why don't they, and why will it suddenly be more financially beneficial next season to entice them to do so?

Can't answer about CBSSN however it seems like Fox does their best to broadcast UConn games when they can as seen with the games against ND and ISU.

With respect to why it would be beneficial next season, look at the recent rating numbers for UConn games on the general board. Averaging mid to high 6 figures in viewership provides justification.

UConn doesn't stop being an attraction once Bueckers moves on. Who else is the flagship of the Big East that can be used to grab a viewer's attention?

 

[MSGRET]

Can't answer about CBSSN however it seems like Fox does their best to broadcast UConn games when they can as seen with the games against ND and ISU.

With respect to why it would be beneficial next season, look at the recent rating numbers for UConn games on the general board. Averaging mid to high 6 figures in viewership provides justification.

UConn doesn't stop being an attraction once Bueckers moves on. Who else is the flagship of the Big East that can be used to grab a viewer's attention?

Actually the ND was on ESPN not Fox. ESPN gets the Tennessee game and ABC has the South Carolina game all because they are on the home floors of a conference that have TV contracts with ABC and their affiliates like ESPN.