A New Era for Texas High School Football Streaming: Navigating the Post-Victory+ Landscape
The Unforeseen Demise of Victory+: A Major Shift in Sports Broadcasting
A primary channel for watching high school football in Texas has abruptly ceased operations, raising questions about the future broadcast arrangements for significant in-state athletic competitions. Ishmael Johnson of the Dallas Morning News confirmed the dissolution of Victory+, a free ad-supported streaming service owned by Calgary-based A Parent Media Co., which will no longer cover UIL games. Victory+ was also the official home for the Texas High School Coaching Association's Game of the Week throughout the season.
Seeking New Horizons: Potential Streaming Platforms for UIL Championships
With Victory+ no longer a viable option, the fate of media rights for the UIL championships remains uncertain. Currently, the National Federation of State High School (NFHS) Network provides streams for Texas high school football during the regular season and playoffs. Beyond NFHS Network, two other Texas-based streaming services are being considered as potential candidates to secure broadcasting rights for both championship and regular-season matchups. Texan Live, a collaborative effort with Dave Campbell's Texas Football, is a subscription-based service primarily covering games in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and East Texas. Additionally, Texas Sports Productions offers a complimentary live-streaming platform, granting access to high school football games across Central and South Texas.
Tracing the Roots of Failure: The Troubled History of Victory+
Victory+, headquartered in Dallas, commenced operations in 2024, with partial ownership attributed to the NHL's Dallas Stars. The streaming service showcased games from several Texas sports organizations, including the Stars, Texas Rangers, and various Texas high school football teams. The National Women's Soccer League and League One Volleyball (LOVB) also partnered with Victory+ for streaming their matches.
Exodus of Partners: The Unraveling of Victory+'s Alliances
In recent months, warning signs emerged as the Rangers, the NWSL, and the NHL's Anaheim Ducks terminated their agreements with Victory+. This withdrawal stemmed from concerns regarding the service's capability to fulfill financial commitments and settle overdue rights payments. A message directed to Rangers subscribers on the Victory+ website acknowledged this unexpected and unplanned shift. Following this series of events, Victory+ CEO Neil Gruninger resigned, and Jon Spencer, a board member of TriWest Capital Partners, assumed the role of the company's new CEO.
The Final Chapter: Dallas Stars' Departure Signals the End
On Wednesday, the Dallas Stars formally announced their transition from Victory+ to Prime Video for the upcoming 2026-27 NHL season. Given their previous ownership stake in the platform, this move effectively seals the fate of Victory+. The Stars' social media declaration stated, "A new way to watch Texas Hockey. Beginning this season, Prime Video will stream all regional Stars games for in-market fans, with no additional subscription required." As of Wednesday afternoon, only three leagues—LOVB, the Western Hockey League, and the Women's National Football Conference—remain accessible on the Victory+ platform. The WNBA's Atlanta Dream and Minnesota Lynx are the sole professional teams still offering live game streaming, while the NFL's Dallas Cowboys utilize the platform for interviews, analysis, behind-the-scenes content, and team coverage.
