Urban Edge Network and Ryz Sports Network expand HBCU and NAIA distribution

Urban Edge Network and Ryz Sports Network have struck a new distribution deal that puts select HBCU and NAIA games on more FAST and connected-TV platforms while keeping UEN’s direct mobile and web access in place. The first showcase is a ranked NAIA football matchup Saturday in Kansas, part of a broader push to widen reach and monetization for underserved college sports.

Why it matters: - The deal gives HBCU and NAIA sports more national exposure across both streaming TV and direct-to-consumer viewing. - The partnership adds more ways to watch live games on phones, computers and connected TVs. - The agreement also creates new advertising and sponsorship inventory around UEN’s live sports programming.

What happened: - Urban Edge Network LLC announced a new distribution relationship with Ryz Sports Network on September 19, 2026. - The partnership expands the national availability of select live sports from UEN’s HBCU and NAIA portfolio. - Select UEN featured games will now run through Ryz Sports Network’s FAST and connected-TV ecosystem. - UEN will keep offering direct access through its mobile, web, app and cast-to-TV products.

The details: - Featured events will be available through participating environments including Samsung TV Plus, Prime Video, Roku, Sony PlayStation, Sony BRAVIA, LG Channels, VIZIO, DIRECTV, Fire TV, Fubo, Sling, Google TV and Xumo, subject to platform scheduling and availability. - Ryz Sports Network says its distribution footprint reaches more than 700 million active user accounts. - Ryz expects that footprint to approach 800 million active user accounts by Q4 2026. - Fans can keep watching UEN programming through UEN’s web and mobile platforms and the UEN Sports app. - Viewers can move live games to compatible televisions using Apple AirPlay and Google Cast. - The companies frame the setup as a multi-screen viewing model built around smartphones, computers and connected televisions. - The partnership expands monetization through digital advertising, programmatic monetization and sponsorship across multiple viewing environments.

Between the lines: - The deal reflects a broader shift in sports media away from a single distribution channel and toward a “watch anywhere” strategy. - UEN is positioning itself as a distribution network, not just a channel, to make HBCU and NAIA games easier to discover and monetize. - The model also aims to make audiences more measurable and addressable for advertisers across mobile, desktop, FAST and connected TV. - UEN said its infrastructure supports programmatic advertising, direct campaigns and sponsorships around its live sports portfolio.

What’s next: - The expanded distribution will debut Saturday, September 19 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time with McPherson College hosting Evangel University in McPherson, Kansas. - The game pits two nationally ranked NAIA football programs against each other, with Evangel ranked No. 17 and McPherson ranked No. 18 entering the week. - Fans can watch through Urban Edge Network, the UEN Sports mobile experience and Ryz Sports Network’s participating platform ecosystem. - UEN said its live-sports portfolio includes the CIAA®, SIAC, HBCU Athletic Conference and multiple NAIA conferences, plus additional collegiate and professional sports properties. - The company said thousands of live sporting events flow through its ecosystem each year, creating opportunities for featured distribution of premium matchups.

The bottom line: - Urban Edge Network and Ryz Sports Network are trying to turn HBCU and NAIA sports into a broader, more flexible media product that can travel across every screen and support more revenue paths.