For years, local sports fans have listened to high school football and basketball on KATO 1230 AM. Beginning this season, they’ll be able to watch the games, too.
Double R Communications is adding a live video stream to KATO’s high school sports broadcasts, beginning Thursday, August 20th, when Morenci travels to Safford for the opening football broadcast of the season.
The broadcasts will continue to originate from KATO, with the same radio play-by-play and presentation listeners have come to expect. That audio will now be paired with live game video on the KATO Sports YouTube channel.
Double R Communications is partnering with Need4Productions to produce the video side of the broadcasts.
“We have considered video coverage before, but we feel like now is the right time to move forward,” said Reed Richins, owner of Double R Communications. “It is an exciting next step for KATO Sports, and it would not be possible without the businesses that support local athletes and believe in what we are doing.”
Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center will serve as the presenting sponsor of KATO’s high school sports coverage this season. Their support played a major role in making the move to video possible.
Lee Patterson, a 26-year radio veteran, will continue as the voice of KATO Sports. Patterson has called high school football, basketball and other local sporting events throughout the region during his broadcasting career.
“Radio is still at the heart of what we do, but adding video gives families and fans another way to be part of the game,” Patterson said. “The goal is to keep the same local broadcast people have listened to for years and add a picture to it, not turn it into something it isn’t.”
The video presentation will include live game action, on-screen graphics and sponsor recognition while keeping the focus on the athletes, coaches, schools and communities KATO has covered for years.
The addition will also allow former residents, extended family members and fans outside KATO’s over-the-air coverage area to follow their hometown teams from wherever they are.
Fans can subscribe to the KATO Sports YouTube channel, @KATOSports, to receive notifications when broadcasts go live. The complete football broadcast schedule is available under the Sports tab at GilaValleyCentral.net.
