Spectrum Teams Up With UK Athletics to Open Spectrum Studio, Official Home of Wildcat Storytelling

Key Takeaways

• Spectrum named an Official Partner of the Kentucky Wildcats under a new multiyear agreement.
• Spectrum secured naming rights to the new Spectrum Studio, home to UK Athletics’ flagship shows, podcasts and digital programming. The studio also gives student-athletes professional-grade tools to build their personal brands.
• Spectrum will work with select UK student-athletes on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.

LEXINGTON, KY – Spectrum, America’s Connectivity Company, today announced a multiyear partnership with UK Athletics, naming Spectrum an Official Partner of the Kentucky Wildcats. The agreement will connect Big Blue Nation with the teams, student-athletes and coaches they cheer on year-round.

As a centerpiece of the partnership, Spectrum secured naming rights to the University of Kentucky’s Downtown Studio — a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art production hub home to the UK College of Communication and Information and UK Athletics – now to be known as “Spectrum Studio.” Located in downtown Lexington, next to Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, Spectrum Studio is more than just a facility, but an “always-on content engine” that produces original, high-quality digital storytelling for UK Athletics, reaching fans across Kentucky and beyond.

What makes Spectrum Studio unique is its role as a controlled storytelling environment, intentionally designed with custom branded assets and technology to support flagship shows, podcasts, pre- and post-game programming, and behind-the-scenes content. The space features three broadcast and podcast studios, mirrored control rooms, robotic cameras, and flexible newsroom and classroom environments. Spectrum’s presence will be reinforced through visual touchpoints, from branding on exterior windows to the main studio door to media desk backdrops, while preserving the authenticity of the content the facility is known for.

“This partnership sits at the intersection of connectivity, content and opportunity, bringing Big Blue Nation closer to the Wildcats who wear Kentucky across their jerseys,” said J Batt, UK Athletics Director and CEO of Champions Blue LLC. “We are grateful to UK Sports and Campus Marketing/JMI Sports for helping develop a partnership that reflects where college athletics is headed — one that elevates our storytelling, creates meaningful value for Spectrum, and expands opportunities for our student-athletes. With the Spectrum Studio serving as the home of UK Athletics storytelling, we have a powerful platform to connect fans in their homes to the people, moments and stories that define Kentucky Athletics, while also creating meaningful opportunities alongside the UK College of Communication and Information for students and student-athletes to learn, create and grow in a professional production environment.”

Spectrum Studio will provide hands-on learning opportunities for journalism students and equip student-athletes with the professional-grade tools for creating personal brand content, all while housing UK Athletics programming, including Xs and Os video breakdowns, The Kentucky Football Podcast, Countdown to Kickoff and Countdown to Tip-Off. All content produced in the studio will feature Spectrum branding, including a branded “end card” graphic – signing off “from the Spectrum Studio” – to ensure clear and consistent visibility across live, on-demand and social platforms. A new UK Sports Network “Spectrum Studio” webpage will feature the programs and other content.

Spectrum also will support NIL opportunities for select Wildcat student-athletes through commercial shoots, appearances and social media features. Paired with Spectrum Studio, Spectrum will give student-athletes the production resources to create professional-quality content and connect with fans.

“Wildcat fans are our neighbors, our customers, and our employees — Big Blue runs through this community,” said Jeff Gehrig, Spectrum regional vice president for the Midwest. “This partnership is about being part of the moments they already love, from kickoff at Kroger Field to the conversations that carry through the whole season, and connecting the program and student-athletes who make it possible.”

JMI Sports, UK Athletics’ multimedia rights partner operating locally as UK Sports and Campus Marketing, helped develop the agreement with multimedia rights and NIL activations complete with “Powered by Spectrum” branding. Spectrum will also have end zone LED signs, courtside signage and video board exposure at UK Athletics venues, including Kroger Field, Historic Memorial Coliseum and outside Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.

Horizon Sports & Experiences represented Spectrum and provided strategic guidance.

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ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETICS
UK Athletics is a leader in college sports, sponsoring 23 varsity sports teams (12 women’s teams, 10 men’s teams, plus the coed rifle team) and hundreds of student-athletes, competing for championships, ensuring their education and well-being, and providing opportunities for the present and future. With the leadership of Athletics Director/CEO J Batt, UK Athletics operates as Champions Blue, LLC. The non-profit holding company, a first of its kind in college athletics, is designed to provide the department with the flexibility to unlock new revenue streams through public-private partnerships and potentially other transactions, such as real estate.

ABOUT SPECTRUM
Spectrum is a suite of advanced communications services offered by Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), the leading broadband and video company in the nation and the fastest growing mobile provider in its footprint, with services available to more than 70 million homes and small to large businesses across 45 states. Founded in 1993, Charter has evolved from providing cable TV to streaming, and from high-speed Internet to a converged broadband, WiFi and mobile experience. Over the Spectrum Fiber Broadband Network and supported by our 100% U.S.-based employees, the Company offers Seamless Connectivity and Entertainment with Spectrum Internet®, Mobile, TV and Voice products.

More information can be found at corporate.charter.com.

ABOUT JMI SPORTS
JMI Sports is a leading media rights and venue development company that provides management of collegiate multimedia rights, sponsorship sales agency representation, and project management expertise for the development of collegiate and professional sports facilities. The company serves to maximize each client’s economic potential through customized initiatives, from marketing and branding solutions to facility design strategies.

JMI Sports’ signature collegiate multimedia rights partnerships include the University of Kentucky, UCLA, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, Harvard University, Columbia University, San Diego State University, University of California at San Diego, University of San Diego, and joint-venture properties at the University of Georgia (with Learfield), University of Notre Dame (with Legends), and Northwestern University (with Legends). JMI Sports also represents multimedia rights for several conferences, including the Ivy League, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Patriot League, and the Atlantic 10, and serves as third-party sales representation for premier sports properties, venues, and events including Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Rose Bowl, the Penn Relays, and USA Volleyball.

JMI Sports was founded in 2006 by CEO Erik Judson and technology entrepreneur John Moores, former owner of the San Diego Padres. To learn more, please visit jmisports.com.