Even after 35 years, the Southern Heritage Classic is still breaking ground and making history — this time in live sports streaming.
Not only will the Classic be broadcast on the upstart streaming network HBCU Go, but the streamer will debut its “2024 HBCU GO Sports Pregame Live Kickoff Show.” — and is looking for a large crowd to help make the live production memorable.
HBCU GO will be hosting a live pre-game kick-off show during the Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday, September 14, 2024. The live taping will take place from 10 AM — 12:30 PM CST, and they are calling for students, alumni, band members, mascots, cheerleaders, and fans to participate.
Audience members are encouraged to wear their team or school gear and arrive on time to ensure they are part of the live broadcast. For more information, participants can contact golive@hbcugo.tv or text 470-640-2660. The deadline to participate is September 13, 2024.
“HBCU GO is poised to deliver the most comprehensive HBCU football game coverage ever to our audience,” said Curtis Symonds, President of HBCU GO. “We have 26 exciting match-ups on our slate this season, including the Southern Heritage Classic, six homecoming games, and the CIAA Football Championship.”
HBCU Go is a venture of media tycoon Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, and is teaming up with The Grio Television Network for the production, which will air live at 11 a.m. across HBCU’s multiple platforms: website, apps, and TV streaming platforms.
Not only will the one-hour broadcast set up the Southern Heritage Classic, its hosts will preview a packed schedule of HBCU football, including three homecoming games, and a rival match-up between Mississippi Valley vs. Jackson State — interviews, commentary and analysis for the whole slate. Think ESPN’s “College GameDay” but with an HBCU flavor.
SHC Founder Fred Jones Jr. is happy to have HBCU Go’s production onsite, and is proud that the Classic has helped make HBCU football and culture grow and gain popularity.
“The big thing was that people knew the game was happening every year. There wasn’t any question about whether we were going to play, and that helped a lot,” Jones said. “(HBCU Go’s broadcast) brings a whole other set of things we have to deal with this year, but it’s exciting to see this level of attention on the Classic and HBCUs in general.”
