Feb. 25, 2015
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame men’s basketball team, in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in its 110-year history, will be part of a 90-minute special called HOOPS U presented by Showtime Sports® set to air on Wednesday, March 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®.
The Fighting Irish, along with the University of Maryland men’s basketball program will be featured in an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary special that will chronicle both teams end-of-the-season drives to the NCAA Tournament. HOOPS U is being produced by SHOWTIME Sports and IMG.
From the classroom to the locker room, from film study to tip-off and beyond, HOOPS U gives viewers backstage access into the world of Division I college basketball. SHOWTIME, along with executive producers Steve Mayer of IMG and 52-time Emmy Award winner Ross Greenburg (Against The Tide; Magic and Bird: A Courtship of Rivals), peel back the curtain on the men’s basketball programs at Notre Dame and Maryland, offering viewers a front-row seat to the final month of conference play and the conference tournaments through Sunday, March 15, when the national tournament bracket and seeding are announced.
“HOOPS U is yet another example of our commitment to delivering diverse and dramatic sports programming,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “With the addition of DEAN SMITH premiering on March 25, we are presenting two very different, yet equally compelling looks at college basketball, which has provided some of the most exciting and memorable sports moments of this era.”
“This will give viewers a unique insight into what really goes on behind the scenes at a premier college basketball program,” said Steve Mayer, Executive Producer & Head, IMG. “Our production team is receiving unparalleled access from both universities and the result will be a fascinating look at the preparations, personalities and pressures associated with college basketball at the highest level.”
HOOPS U promises a deep look inside the life of players, coaches and team personnel, revealing the joys and struggles associated with life as a collegiate athlete and the fierce battle to earn a coveted spot in the national tournament.
About Showtime Networks Inc.:
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNELTM and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2TM, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNELTM XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HDTM, THE MOVIE CHANNELTM HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNELTM ON DEMAND, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian ChannelTM. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
About IMG:
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 25 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events & Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; strategic partnerships with sponsors and brands; and marquee assets across sports, entertainment, events, music and fashion.