Alabama Public Television & the NFHS Network agree to a five-year extension with the AHSAA
AHSAA
The AHSAA, Alabama Public Television, and the NFHS Network agree to extend their partnership through the 2028-29 school year. The AHSAA Super 7, Girls Flag Football Championship, and Girls & Boys Basketball Championships will be able to be viewed on APT.
“We are thrilled to announce our agreement with AHSAA and the NFHS Network, allowing Alabama Public Television to broadcast the high school football and basketball state championships for the next five years,” said Wayne Reid, Executive Director of Alabama Public Television. “Supporting education is a core part of APT’s mission, and this partnership is a fantastic way to showcase Alabama’s vibrant communities and outstanding student-athletes.
“We are thrilled to bring these games to the entire state of Alabama for free on broadcast television. APT reached over 1.2 million viewers in December 2023 and over 1 million viewers in March 2024 by adding football and basketball championship games to our schedule, solidifying APT as the broadcast station with the largest reach in the state of Alabama.” Reid added, “It has been an honor to collaborate with (AHSAA retiring Executive Director) Alvin Briggs to bring the championships to the people of Alabama. He was a visionary in realizing this achievement. We wish Alvin all the best, and he will be dearly missed.”
Briggs is set to retire later this summer.
The NFHS will continue to live stream the championships via it’s digital platform. Broadway Productions, the NFHS Network’s contracted producer managed by Vincent Earley, will continue to produce all finals as well as the basketball semifinals and finals.
APT is working in conjunction with the NFHS Network which is contracted to manage the linear and digital video, and Broadway Productions, which produces the contests annually. The agreement includes broadcasting live all seven boys’ state football finals and two girls’ flag football tournament finals, set for Birmingham’s Protective Stadium in December 4-6, 2024, and all 14 state boys’ and girls’ state basketball championship games at the BJCC Legacy Arena, Feb. 24-March 1, 2025, and each year thereafter through 2028-29. Broadway Productions also will continue to produce the semifinal games at the State Basketball Championships for the NFHS Network’s video live streaming platform. The NFHS Network also video live streams all 14 regional basketball championship games at all four sites. Approximately 385 AHSAA member schools are members of the NFHS Network School Broadcast Program.
“The partnership between the NFHS Network and the AHSAA has had so many wonderful accomplishments for the high school student-athletes of Alabama,” said Michael White, Executive Vice President for NFHS Network Content and Production. “We’re very happy to be announcing the extension of the relationship where the NFHS Network will continue to thrive as the digital home for the AHSAA, while Alabama Public Television will be the long-term partner delivering these marquee championships on statewide television. Mr. Briggs’ vision for how this relationship should work, has led the way to a wonderful outcome. We’re looking forward to great things to come for the high schools and student athletes of Alabama.”
(Information from a press release from the AHSAA)
