HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Athletics Department has selected Hawaii News Now as its new broadcast partner in a four-year agreement that begins July 1, 2026.

Read more Incoming police chief provides timeline on transition to Oahu

The partnership marks a shift in how fans across the islands will access UH sports, moving the primary home for local broadcasts from a subscription-based cable model to free, high-definition over-the-air television.

K5 returns as the home for live UH telecasts

K5, which served as the “Home Team” for UH sports for nearly two decades beginning in 1994, will again become the dedicated home for live game telecasts and special programming. The statewide over-the-air model will make UH sports accessible to fans on every island and on multiple platforms.

“This partnership is about maximizing exposure for our programs and ensuring every fan in Hawai‘i and beyond can watch our games,” UH athletics director Matt Elliott said. “Over-the-air broadcast television is the ideal platform for the ‘Our Team, Hawai‘i’s Team’ theme and will make it easier than ever for our community to connect with our student-athletes. This level of reach is vital for the growth of our brand and our future success.”

K5 broadcasts will also be available nationwide on the new Mountain West app. More information on how to subscribe to the service will be announced later.

110+ home games and dedicated streaming channel

Hawaii News Now will broadcast a minimum of 110 home events per year, including all available football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s volleyball, and women’s volleyball games, plus broadcasts of baseball, softball, and women’s soccer.

HNN will also launch a 24/7 “Warrior Streaming Channel,” a free streaming destination featuring player profiles, classic games, and special programs.

Read more Maui animal lovers irate after Home Depot net traps, kills birds

The agreement also emphasizes storytelling and promotion across Hawaii News Now’s broadcast, digital and social platforms, delivering year-round coverage that will include student-athlete features, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and original programming and content that showcases the UH experience.

Mentorship and student training included

In addition to broadcast coverage, Hawaii News Now is committed to mentorship and education. HNN will dedicate seven positions to the UH partnership and provide hands-on training for UH students in sports production, filming, and management.

“We are honored to support UH Athletics’ vision and showcase the excellence of these student-athletes to the world,” said Katie Pickman, Hawaii News Now general manager. “Our goal is to make UH sports easy to find and free to enjoy for every fan on every island, truly making them ‘Hawai‘i’s Team’ across all platforms.”

In addition to HNN’s 110-game broadcast schedule, HNN and UH will also explore opportunities to showcase select campus productions across HNN stations.

Hawaii News Now produces and distributes many of Hawai‘i’s major local events, including the Merrie Monarch Festival, the Kamehameha Schools Song Contest, and the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.

By integrating UH Athletics into its year-round ecosystem, the partnership extends the station’s ongoing focus on local programming and community connection.

Read more HPD officer accused of sex assault by woman he pulled over seeks dismissal of charges