Three Televised Black Bear Football Games Unveiled

ORONO, Maine – University of Maine Athletics and its multimedia rights partner, Learfield Sports, today introduced WPME-TV (MyNetwork) as the newest station to join Black Bear Television Network, concurrent with the 2014-15 athletic season.

The addition of the Portland TV affiliate marks a significant milestone for the university, ensuring comprehensive statewide coverage of the Black Bears. WPME, broadcasting in high definition (HD) signal on Channel 35, will provide fans in Southern Maine and Northern New Hampshire the identical broadcast television package currently offered by other partners, Bangor’s WVII ABC 7 and WFVX FOX 22 and FOX College Sports. All affiliates will carry three football games, seven hockey games and a total of 14 Black Bear Insider shows during the 2014-15 athletics season.

The televised football game dates have been finalized; each with a 12:30 p.m. EST start time — October 4 (vs. Villanova); October 18 (vs. Albany) and November 8 (vs. Richmond). The seven men’s hockey game broadcasts will be announced when finalized.

“We’re excited to unveil our TV football games and be able to tout our two-year affiliate agreement with WPME, completing our goal of securing statewide coverage for Black Bear fans,” said University of Maine Director of Athletics Karlton Creech. “Every day we strive to boost the UMaine brand, identifying ways to extend our reach to showcase the tremendous dedication and hard work of our student-athletes and coaches – and adding a broadcast partner in Portland gives us another opportunity to do just that.”

Learfield Sports’ local entity, Black Bear Sports Properties, oversees all aspects of the radio and television networks in addition to managing the university’s athletic rights.

“This is a huge victory for us and the University of Maine to enter into a solid partnership with WPME, which will cross-promote Black Bear sports on sister station WPXT-TV (The CW). We believe fans in the Portland area will be extremely happy,” said Andrew Stuebner, general manager for Black Bear Sports Properties.

Maine_property logo image“We’re certainly proud to carry the Black Bears and glad for the coverage to return to fans in the Southern Maine and Northern New Hampshire regions. It’s going to be great, and we are looking forward to the season,” said Jennifer Swain, WPME and WPXT general manager.

Black Bear Sports Properties is a property of Learfield Sports, which manages the multimedia rights for 99 collegiate properties and titles the prestigious Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup with award co-founders NACDA and USA Today. Learfield’s multimedia rights encompass numerous content distribution platforms to deliver the passion of college athletics across radio, television and digital networks to fans globally. For more about the company, its 40-year history and comprehensive portfolio, visit learfieldsports.com.