University of Kentucky football, basketball on Fox Sports South will be on Insight in high definition

As Matt Jones over at Kentucky Sports Radio would say, UK fans are the greatest force on the Internet and yesterday was certainly an example of that if you’re a reader of the UK message boards. I’ve received a number of emails from folks asking me about Insight’s plans for the Fox Sports South HD channel with a number of UK football and basketball games scheduled to be carried on the network.

In fact, the timing of these questions couldn’t be better since this issue has been one that we’ve been working on since FSN South launched their high definition service six weeks ago.

I want readers of my blog to be among the first to know that Insight will now be providing our customers in Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky, the high-definition broadcasts of UK football and basketball games scheduled to air on Fox Sports South, including this weekend’s game with Mississippi State. The games will air on Insight Digital HD channel 929 (channel 930 in Bowling Green) and I’ve provided a full schedule of games, as they are currently scheduled, below.

Providing the UK games as a special event is a temporary measure until we are able to launch Fox Sports South HD in the not-too-distant future. We entered into talks with Fox Sports to carry their new high definition service as soon as we learned about the launch of their new HD feed. Although we were able to finalize an agreement very quickly for Bowling Green, certain technical issues had to be worked out in our other districts. But because we understand how important the Cats are to our customers, we reached out to Fox Sports to make special arrangements to carry the UK games while we resolved the technical issues in those districts. It took both technical and deal-making creativity by big Cats fans who work at Insight and I’m thrilled to tell you that we were successful.

As you may know, we already delivered the past two UK football games on FSN South – against South Carolina and Louisiana-Monroe – in HD on channel 929 in Lexington where we were able to reach an earlier special arrangement in UK’s home market. Just this week we successfully reached a full agreement with Fox to provide future games in Louisville and Northern Kentucky, too. And, as I said, we’re currently working diligently to make Fox Sports South HD a permanent fixture on our channel lineup in Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky, so you won’t miss any of their SEC games after we launch it.

We know better than any of our national competitors what’s important to our customers because so many of us live and work in the communities we serve. There should be no question that Insight is your best choice for home-team sports. Here’s a list of the UK football and basketball games scheduled to air in HD on Fox Sports South as of now:

Football

10/31/09 - vs. Mississippi State – Lexington, Ky. - 7:00 p.m. ET

Basketball

10/28/09 - Blue/White Game (FS South/BBSN) - Lexington, Ky. - 7:00 p.m. ET

11/02/09 - vs. Campbellsville (FS South) - Lexington, Ky. - 7:00 p.m. ET

11/06/09 - vs. Clarion (FS South) - Lexington, Ky. - 7:00 p.m. ET

11/16/09 - vs. Miami University (FS South/BBSN) - Lexington, Ky. - 7:00 p.m. ET

11/19/09 - vs. Sam Houston State (FS South) - Lexington, Ky. - 7:00 p.m. ET

11/21/09 - vs. Rider (FS South) - Lexington, Ky. - 1:00 p.m. ET

11/30/09 - vs. UNC Asheville (FS South) - Louisville, Ky. 7:00 p.m. ET

12/23/09 - vs. Long Beach State (FS South) - Lexington, Ky. 1:00 p.m. ET

Comments

[Richie]

I guess that FS Sports isn't broadcasting the games in HD. Why would they spend the money to broadcast these games in HD? Gotta love the BBSN!!! I am over this already, I can't wait for games on CBS and ESPN.

[Randy]

Clarion was also NOT in HD. And since Fox Sports has the most annoying non-HD borders, I just went back to the pixelated mess that was the regular channel. Someone dropped the ball on this. My bet is on Fox Sports, but I'm sure Insight will get the blame.

[Rich]

Another disappointment, thanks Insight, I just love to pay my bill when the CEO promises something and nothing happens.

[Rich]

Is this still being looked into?

[Bill]

If you truly want to solve the problem, Mr. Wilner, why not simply add Fox Sports South to the lineup full time. Any time you carry a tiny fraction of a channel's offerings, this is the result. This happened many times this season with Cincinnatio Reds games from Fox Sports Ohio. Are the terms Fox Sports South (or Ohio) that onerous to you? Just add them to your lineup.

[Rich]

Thanks Michael! At least something is being done about it. We will see Friday night.

[Michael Willner]

I care and I'm looking into this right now.

[Bill]

What do you expect from Insight? It's a horribly run company. No one cares.

[beau]

0 for 2 in games you said would be in HD so far. Blue white game no HD in Louisville. Campbellsville also not in HD. Both were on HD channels, neither were in HD.

[Rob Akins]

The UK - Miss St game is not showing in the Channel Guide for Channel 929 yet. Shouldn't I see it there?

[Bill in Louisville]

Too little, too late. I've had enough. I signed up for DirecTV this afternoon and it will be installed Monday. I'll keep your broadband service for now, but your cable TV is terrible.

[beau]

929 is dead air in Louisville, no UK b-ball in HD... Got my hopes up

[Matthew Nobles]

Any way we can get Fox Sports South in Western Kentucky, instead of having Fox Sports Ohio and having to watch Big 10 games instead of the SEC?

[mgmgmg]

Living in NKY, THE best way to retain me as insight customer is to continue providing access to ALL UK programing. Keep up the good work!

Now I just need to hope the DVR records the scrimmage tonight!

[dc]

yes, where is golf hd? directv has it...

[ARGO]

UK football blows so not many should be watching.

[Scott Wilson]

Awesome news and thanks!

[MRN]

This is good news. Now if we can get Insight to offer The Golf Channel and the MLB Network in HD I will not have to change providers. Good start Insight!!

[NKY HD]

Excellent News!!