University of Hawaiʻi Opens Call for Broadcast Rights Partners Beginning in 2026

HONOLULU – The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (UHMAD) has officially issued a Call for Offers (CFO) seeking a new broadcast partner for UH Athletics events starting with the 2026–27 academic year.

The multi-year agreement will shape how UH Athletics games are televised and streamed across Hawaiʻi—and potentially beyond—for the next decade.

In August 2025, the University of Hawaiʻi announced a one-year local television agreement with Spectrum Sports for the 2025–26 season. The deal was widely viewed as a short-term bridge, as UH prepares to join the Mountain West Conference as a full-time member in summer 2026, a move that coincides with the conference negotiating its own new media rights agreement.

A key component of the 2025 deal was the elimination of pay-per-view broadcasts for UH football, ending a model that had existed locally for more than 20 years. Spectrum began carrying UH sports in 2011, following an earlier era when games aired on KFVE.

What Is the University Looking For?

UH is seeking a top-tier broadcast provider capable of producing and airing UH Athletics events through a mix of:

• Television (over-the-air, cable, satellite)

• Digital platforms

• Live and on-demand streaming services

The selected partner will hold exclusive Hawaiʻi broadcast rights for many UH home events while also potentially handling mainland U.S. and international distribution.

Contract Length and Timeline

• Initial Term: 3 years
  July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029

• Extension Option: Up to 3 additional years (through June 30, 2032)

• Extension negotiations must be completed 15 months before the initial term expires.

Sports and Games Covered

UH is seeking coverage of at least 110 UH home games per year, including all available games in the following Core Sports:

• Football

• Men’s & Women’s Basketball

• Women’s Soccer

• Men’s & Women’s Volleyball

• Baseball

• Softball

Doubleheaders in baseball and softball will count as two games. Additional consideration will be given to providers willing to broadcast non-core sports, such as beach volleyball, water polo, tennis, swimming & diving, golf, sailing, and track & field.

Broadcast Rights Explained

The agreement includes several layers of rights:

Hawaiʻi Telecast Rights (Required)

• The selected provider will hold exclusive rights to produce and broadcast UH Athletics home events within the State of Hawaiʻi, including live telecasts, replays, highlights, and edited or condensed game content

• On-air announcers will be selected by the provider but are subject to prior approval by UH

• UH retains full access to clips and highlights for promotional use

Outside Hawaiʻi & International Rights (Optional)

• Broadcasts on the U.S. mainland or internationally

• International streaming opportunities

• Subject to conference media agreements and geofencing rules

Importantly, radio rights are excluded and remain separate from this agreement.

Financial Expectations

The broadcast partner will provide:

• Annual Rights Fee, paid quarterly

• 20% revenue share on qualifying non-advertising broadcast revenue (e.g., showing of the Live Feed in movie theaters or similar venues)

• Promotional credit to UH Athletics:

  • Year 1: $150,000

  • Year 2: $165,000

  • Year 3: $181,500

  • Future years increase by at least 10%

The Annual Payments may be reduced if UH makes available fewer than four football Home Games, or increased if UH makes available more
than six home football games.

Added Value and “Wish List” Items

UH is also encouraging creative proposals that support student-athletes and the campus community, including:

• A dedicated “Warrior Channel” for UH content

• Original storytelling and feature programming

• Social media collaboration and content creation

• NIL program support

• Student internships, mentorships, and scholarships

• Educational partnerships with UH academic programs

• Hosting media workshops, panels, and conferences in Hawaiʻi

These offerings may be included as value-in-kind or used to supplement financial terms.

Important Dates to Know

• Notice of Interest Due: January 16, 2026

• Questions Deadline: January 27, 2026

• UH Responses Issued: February 2, 2026

• Final Offers Due: February 12, 2026 (5:00 p.m. HST)

Following review, UH will select 2–3 finalists before choosing a final broadcast partner.

SOURCE: Call for Offers for Broadcast Rights to UHM Athletics Events