Iowa- After the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced in December of 2024 that the 2024-2025 athletic season would conclude their partnership with the Iowa High School Sports Network (IHSSN), there was a big question mark on who would produce and broadcast the finals. Stepping in for football, wrestling, and basketball will be Iowa PBS.
The multi-year agreement will begin in the fall of the 2025-26 athletic season and the championship events will appear on statewide Iowa PBS and stream for free through both Iowa PBS and the IHSAA. The agreement will ensure that the IHSAA maintains overall event rights.
Iowa PBS will also continue their existing coverage of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union championships for various sports. Iowa PBS will also produce special IHSAA programs highlighting stories of student-athletes, their sports, and communities.
This move was brought about after public outcry when the IHSSN started charging fans for the rights to stream the championship events. This move was exactly what IHSAA executive director Tom Keating was looking for,
“Our fans have asked for a free and easily accessible broadcast option and Iowa PBS is just that.”
Iowa PBS will officially take over production responsibilities on November 20th with the football semifinals.