SWAC Games Head to Free Local TV on Six Gray Media Stations

SWAC Games Head to Free Local TV on Six Gray Media Stations

The SWAC, Triple B Media and Gray Media will simulcast dozens of SWAC games free over the air in Huntsville, Montgomery and Jackson, adding to the SWAC TV FAST channel.

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If you live in Huntsville, Montgomery or Jackson, you'll soon be able to watch SWAC games with nothing but an antenna. The Southwestern Athletic Conference, Triple B Media and Gray Media announced Tuesday that Gray's local stations will simulcast dozens of conference events free over the air.

The deal covers football, basketball, soccer and other men's and women's sports, according to the SWAC's announcement. It sits on top of SWAC TV, the free, ad-supported streaming channel Triple B Media launched for the conference this fall.

Which Gray Stations Will Carry SWAC Games

Six stations in three markets are in, per The Desk:

Huntsville, Ala.: WAFF (NBC) and WAAY (ABC), home market for Alabama A&M.
Montgomery, Ala.: WSFA (NBC), WCOV (Fox) and WIYC, home market for Alabama State.
Jackson, Miss.: WLBT (NBC), home market for Jackson State.

No game-by-game schedule was released, and the partners didn't say how many games each station will carry. Fans are told to check local listings. Financial terms weren't disclosed. The Desk notes Gray holds a minority stake in Triple B Media.

Three of the SWAC East's Top Teams Are in Gray Markets

The timing works on the field. Per CollegeFootballData.com, the three schools in Gray's markets are near the top of the SWAC East right now. Jackson State is 6-1 (3-1 SWAC) after beating Florida A&M 27-17 on Saturday. Alabama A&M is 6-2 (3-1) after a 61-31 win over Grambling. Alabama State is 4-3 (3-2) after winning 21-15 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Jackson State plays at Bethune-Cookman this Saturday. On Oct. 31, Alabama State and Alabama A&M meet at Legion Field in Birmingham in the Magic City Classic, one of the biggest dates on the HBCU calendar.

Free TV Is a Recruiting Tool for HBCU Programs

For HBCU programs, eyeballs matter. Local broadcast still reaches homes that don't pay for cable or a streaming bundle, and that includes a lot of the families of the high school players these schools recruit. Commissioner Charles McClelland said the conference wants its events available through a variety of viewing options. Gray's Joshua Pila called it part of the company's "continued focus on free local sports for local viewers."

The SWAC has 12 member schools and sponsors 18 sports. Keep up with HBCU highlights on the BallerTube HBCU page.