UH shifts coaches' shows to public TV

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i has reached an agreement to move its coaches' television shows to public television for the coming academic year.

For more than 15 years, KFVE, which owns the local television rights to UH sports, has aired the half-hour shows that feature highlights and coaches' commentaries.

But after discussing the matter with KFVE officials, UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida decided to move the shows to KHET. Yoshida said the switch will ease the burden on a KFVE staff that "was really extended. It was a hardship on KFVE. We felt it would be a win-win situation to move the shows."

Yoshida said Don Robbs will serve as the host of the shows, replacing KFVE's Jim Leahey.

Yoshida said the weekly shows, which run through May and feature the coaches of most major sports, will cost the university less than $200,000 annually in production costs and appearance fees — about the same amount it paid last year. Several UH coaches use the appearance fees to supplement their base salaries.

Yoshida said the athletic department will seek sponsorships to defray expenses. KFVE is expected to provide video highlights.

UH men's basketball coach Riley Wallace said he supports the change, noting KHET probably would be able to offer a more favorable time slot than KFVE, which has a heavy programming commitment.