In an attempt to answer the number of emails and phone calls to KSBI regarding our coverage of the state basketball tournament, the station has provided the following information:

KSBI Thunder TV aired 14 regular season basketball games in the 2010 campaign. This season KSBI Thunder TV coverage featured both boys and girls teams ranked among the states best in almost every match-up. Viewers were able to enjoy games ranging from 6A contenders to private school rivalries.

KSBI will not broadcast any of the high school playoff games this season, including the small school state basketball tournament. In the spring of 2008, The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Athletic Association (OSSAA) awarded the rights to post season sporting events to a cable sports company beginning with the 2008 playoffs. The deal is a three year deal, currently in its second year.

During the three years prior to 2008 when KSBI had the contractual rights to post season high school sports, the station was setting records in broadcasting for the number of playoff games and number of classes of schools aired LIVE across the state of Oklahoma. KSBI's coverage includes over the air, cable companies, alternative distribution systems such as AT&T U-verse, and satellite providers. KSBI produced and aired playoffs and championships in football, soccer, swimming, diving, and wrestling at the high school level.

"We are trying to disseminate the word to our viewers, the coaches, the players, and even the referees who continue to call asking us which games we will be covering this season," said Brady Brus, FBG Inc. President.

"We respect the OSSAA's decision from a couple of years ago, and we are honoring that. At that time the cable sports outlet apparently offered a little more money than we did, and the OSSAA chose to go with the money. When the time frame ends on the current contract, we will resubmit, and see what happens," Brus said. "I think the viewers, kids, coaches, and communities had grew accustom to being able to see the large number of LIVE playoff and championship games we had been producing. Those who are contacting us are telling us they are frustrated because the cable sports channel isn't available over the air to them or even on their specific cable or satellite provider's basic lineup and that there are only a few games being shown, and of those, many aren't LIVE."

Brus said he understands the frustration, but the station is honoring the decision of the OSSAA's board members.

Please feel free to contact us with your comments about the lack of playoff coverage by email to info@ksbitv.com. You may also choose to contact the OSSAA.

OSSAA email addresses are available on their website at www.ossaa.com