Valley is Coming to Free TV!

Gray Media Picks Up the Rights

(St. Louis, MO) – Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner Jeff Jackson says the Valley is coming to free TV. While Bally Sports has struggled in bankruptcy proceedings the MVC is beginning a partnership with Gray Media. The Atlanta-based company will produce and distribute men’s and women’s basketball games into 22 different markets.

Tupelo Honey, a subsidiary of Gray and based in Indianapolis, will produce the games which will include the opening round and quarterfinal contests of Arch Madness. In a deal worked out with ESPN, all games broadcast linearly will also be streamed on ESPN+.

Gray Media’s 22 markets include the states of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, and Tennessee and via third-party broadcast partners in markets outside of the Gray footprint. Per the Valley’s press release, “the company is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households.”

Part of the Gray media portfolio is the legendary Raycom Sports.

“Tupelo Honey has a long and deep relationship with Missouri Valley Conference, Inc., producing its digital package since 2007.  Tupelo produces more than 200 basketball games each year, seen on many major networks and streaming services.”

Commissioner Jackson believes his office has found a good home for MVC basketball.

“In the ever-changing landscape of live-event production and distribution, the Missouri Valley Conference remains committed to navigating the best path to reach college basketball fans, and this partnership with Gray does just that,” said Jeff Jackson, MVC Commissioner.

Of Other Note

Valley fans will now be able to see some regular season MVC games on free TV. During Arch Madness, the entire opening round and the quarterfinals will be freely available.

In companion releases, Tupelo Honey and First Alert Four (channel 4 in St. Louis) say ‘Matrix Midwest’ is broadcasting games and is available on “over-the-air on channel 32 and channel 186 on Spectrum/Charter in the St. Louis area. Gray Media launched Matrix Midwest to operate alongside sister station First Alert 4 (KMOV-TV) out of St. Louis.”

Here is the Matrix Midwest announcement on First Alert 4.

Valley television schedules have not been released. The college basketball season tips off on November 4. Some of this year’s games will be seen on free TV.

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