Today marks the end of the Longhorn Network. A 24/7 cable TV network dedicated to all things Texas sports has now shutdown. The $300 million venture from ESPN and University of Texas at Austin will now move over to ESPN’s SEC Network in tandem with Texas joining the Southeastern Conference today.
With this news, though, fans of Texas sports will still get programming dedicated to them as a part of a new streaming channel that will be launching to offer free 24/7 coverage of Texas sports, according to a report from The New York Times The Athletic.
“Yeah, it was bold,” former Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds, told AP News. “We built something we can be proud of … I think it’s a big loss for Texas to have to give it up.”
The new free version of The Longhorn Network can be found LHN app on Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Chromecast. You can also stream it on their website HERE.
The Longhorn Network launched in 2011 and featured events from multiple sports involving the Texas Longhorns athletics department. Programming included pre- and post-game coverage, as well as behind-the-scenes content. When the network launched, former Texas coach Mack Brown voiced concerns about the amount of information rivals could glean from watching. Some speculated that LHN gave Texas too much influence over the Big 12.
At the network’s peak, it broadcast upwards for 200 live events every year including school graduation ceremonies and fashion shows. Now though most of those events will air on the SEC network.