The Longhorn Network is coming, in HD, for Texas subscribers to Verizon FiOS TV packages. The LHN will be near the other sports programming on channel 579 (79 for standard def) for FiOS TV Prime HD, Extreme HD and Ultimate HD subscribers that live in Texas. Fans in other states will need to be Ultimate HD subscribers (the most expensive package) to see their Horns.
The press release:
Joining a growing lineup of regional and national collegiate sports networks on FiOS TV, the Longhorn Network has arrived on FiOS just in time for the start of the college football season. The Longhorn Network is a channel devoted to athletic programming and related activities at the University of Texas.
Verizon is the largest video service provider to date to announce the addition of the Longhorn Network to its channel lineup.
“The Longhorns have a huge presence in Texas, with a passionate fan base that extends across the country,” said David Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney and ESPN Media Networks. “Verizon’s early commitment to this network speaks to the university’s popularity and the consumer demand for this content.”
Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon, said, “We know Texas Longhorn fans are among the most loyal and enthusiastic in college sports, so we’re pleased to add the Longhorn Network to our already robust sports lineup on FiOS TV. The addition of this groundbreaking collegiate sports channel adds to Verizon’s commitment to bring the best in sports and entertainment and overall video content to our customers.”
The national distribution agreement with the Longhorn Network will allow fans of FiOS and the Longhorns to start watching the network on Sept. 1. FiOS TV Ultimate HD subscribers outside of Texas can watch LHN on Channel 320. In Texas, FiOS TV Prime HD, Extreme HD and Ultimate HD subscribers can watch LHN on Channels 79 (standard definition) and 579 (high definition).
In the near future, the Longhorn Network also will be available online, on tablets and on smartphones for fans with a Verizon FiOS TV plan, making UT athletics and other programming easily available anywhere, anytime.
Andy Katz thinks pretty much every other recent conference move made sense, except of course the Aggies moving to the SEC. Some quotes from Katz:
This move specifically is done because Texas A&M didn’t like the way Texas was getting favored status from the Big 12.
And…
They didn’t like being treated as the second child.
The best one comes from the other host though…
A&M has been in the shadow of Texas for quite some while now.
Too bad for the Aggies. Instead of being little brother to Texas and Oklahoma whipping boy, they’ll now be fighting Mississipi State for fifth place in the SEC West. Aggie fans somehow think they’ll be better in SEC. They couldn’t consistently beat Texas Tech and Baylor but think they can hang with Bama and LSU.
WTH?! (What the Heck?) moments are attempts to find the memorable and the off-beat perspective on Longhorns sports. Here are some interesting moments from the Texas’ game against the Rice Owls.
Pregame (15:00) WTH Sherman Williams?! Did your paint truck have an accident on ESPN sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards shirt? Wow…I have no fashion sense but that outfit was almost as loud as the announced attendance of 70,445 at Reliant Stadium.
1st Quarter (6:56) WTH Jones?! I can understand avoiding the dangerous kick returners that we have on the team. But watch out for our secret weapon DE returner Eddie Jones who led all Texas kickoff returners with 41 total yards.
2nd Quarter (14:48) WTH Duran RD 1?! Looks like the Hands of Stone hit the UT secondary. Cornerback Chykie Brown dropped a sure interception for a touchdown when the ball was thrown right at him. Can we say that the SI Jinx has now been applied?
2nd Quarter (7:56) WTH Cowboy?! Kenny Vaccaro was furious on consecutive plays when he lit up Rice running back Tyler Smith. How many star tattoos do you have on your arms? Special shout out to Keenan Robinson who with the help of defensive end Sam Acho turned the tables on Rice with a sack and return for a touchdown.
2nd Quarter (:04) WTH Replay Booth?! What is up with that extraordinary blooper pass completion to Rice WR Randy Kitchens that resulted in one of the two touchdowns that Rice would score? Come on CUSA officials, you could not tell me that his legs were touching before he even tried to extend the ball. Did the ball even cross the goal line? Even the television shot of Rice Coach David Bailiff showed he was surprised by the outcome.
Halftime WTH MOB?! Lost another halftime show. Prediction sure to come true that we will lose the last game of the year too! It was great to see the “oldies” volunteering to march with the band to fill out the roster.
3rd Quarter (8:55) WTH Duran RD 2?! UT cornerback Aaron Williams dropped a sure touchdown as the secondary brought their stone hands to the game. Thank goodness he did not muff a punt return…oh wait.
3rd Quarter (3:42) WTH Newton?! It is amazing how a shifty running back who finds creases makes the offensive line blocking look so much better. RB Tre Newton clearly has established himself as the lead back with his third touchdown. With Newton, Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson the team ran for just under 200 yards. It was good to be stubborn against the Feisty Night Birds but when the real season starts lets mix up the play calling to help open up the run.
4th Quarter (3:40) WTH Duran RD 3?! Aaron Williams will be an all conference player at the end of the season for his defense, but he will not win many special team awards if his decision making ability does not improve. His muff punt return allowed the Owls to tack on another touchdown to make the score look better.
Next up for the Longhorn’s are the Cowboys from Wyoming at 6pm on Sept. 11th.
Thanks for following my WTH articles throughout the season. I appreciate the opportunity to rant about the greatest University sports program in the country. You can continue to follow comments on all of UT sports on twitter at 40 Acres Sports or follow me at Horns1991. HOOK EM!!
Mack Brown will crush you at Jenga, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Connect 4, and more.
Another year, another great ESPN College Gameday commercial with Mack Brown being hilarious. Almost all ESPN and Gameday commercials are great and have quoteable lines, in this one it’s “Jenga, Texas style baby!” from Mack. Last year’s “We don’t freestyle Texas Fight” was even better. Alabama coach Nick Saban isn’t quite as comfortable as Brown but he does deliver a good line and it’s good to see him trying to have a little fun.
A little late, but some interesting conversation from the worldwide leader about Texas football possibly flipping conferences from the Big 12 to the Big Ten…
Nobody recruits like Mack Brown. He hits early and hard. Only a couple of weeks after inking a top 2010 class, Mack and his coaching staff are 13 recruits into a strong 2011 class. ESPNU recruiting experts discuss Texas’ quick start…
According to ESPN blogger Tim Griffin, Garrett Gilbert’s job may be the toughest in the Big 12 for 2010…
Texas QB Colt McCoy: He leaves school as the most statistically proficient quarterback in school history, although his career will forever be marked by his near misses in the Heisman Trophy balloting over the past two seasons and his injury in his final college game against Alabama. Garrett Gilbert will be facing some big shoes to replace when Texas practice starts later this month.
Texas head coach Mack Brown talks to ESPNU about the incredible haul of recruits he brought in today and about Garrett Gilbert replacing Colt McCoy. Watch…
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy sits down with ESPN to talk about his shoulder injury, how he’s recovering from the mental aspect of missing the biggest game of his life, and his future in the NFL…
Excellent set of video interviews from ESPN with several Texas players yesterday at BCS title game media day. Good questions and comments from and particularly Emmanuel and . Watch below to get a feel for what the players are thinking with just a couple days left before the biggest game of their lives…





