Sept. 18, 2006
Charlotte, N.C. - Raycom Sports and Lincoln Financial Sports, in partnership with The Atlantic Coast Conference, will offer online video streaming of ACC conference sports during the 2006-2007 school year. The new broadband network called ACC Select will primarily stream Olympic-type sports that are not available through traditional broadcast and cable television distribution. The entire conference package will be available at www.accselect.com to viewers with a broadband internet connection. Each of the twelve ACC schools will have events available on the new service.
The new network's distribution platform will utilize the production and technological capabilities of Turner Broadcasting, which already provides streaming video platforms for many of its properties, including CNN.com, NASCAR.com, PGA.com, and PGATour.com (beginning with its relaunch in 2007). Last season, the ACC, Raycom Sports and Lincoln Financial Sports worked with Turner Broadcasting in conducting a series of experimental tests of different ACC sports events from a variety of locations.
"Launching this initiative is very exciting for the ACC and is a tremendous opportunity to expose a national audience to the various sports within the conference," said ACC Commissioner John D. Swofford. "Since the beginning stages of this initiative, Turner has been aggressive with their willingness to invest in research and development while meeting the various needs of our 12 institutions. Turner's enthusiasm has been incredibly impressive and there is no question in my mind as to why they are such tremendous leaders in technology."
"Last season's testing was extremely successful," said Ed Hull, President of Lincoln Financial Sports. "And thus we feel confident in the future of this new production approach and distribution system."
"This use of Turner's new production technology will dramatically supplement the television coverage of ACC sports," stated Ken Haines, President and CEO of Raycom Sports. "It will make approximately 500 events available to fans across the country, and there will be no decrease in the number or type of ACC events on traditional television."
"We are excited to partner with the ACC, Raycom Sports and Lincoln Financial Sports on a broadband sports network that utilizes our company's expertise in sports programming and production, and our growing presence on the emerging consumer platform of broadband," said David Rudolph, Senior Vice President, New Product Development of Turner Broadcasting.
Consumers can watch events live or on-demand on a per-event basis ($3.99 per event) or with a conference all-event pass. The all-event pass will premiere at an introductory price of $5.99 per month. The new service launches September 15.
ACC Select is a new broadband experience that gives fans the best seat in the house for the sports they love, the teams they care about and the games not available anywhere else. With full-screen video delivered right to the computer, ACC Select provides front row access to events whenever fans want--live or on-demand replay. Go to www.accselect.com for complete details and see sports in a whole new way.
The Atlantic Coast Conference, through its member institutions, seeks to maximize the educational and athletic opportunities of its student-athletes while enriching their quality of life. The ACC was founded on May 8, 1953 and has 12 institutions that compete in the league's 25 sponsored sports. The 12 schools in the ACC are: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.
Raycom Sports and Lincoln Financial Sports, in a unique partnership, have been the rightsholders of ACC men's basketball since 1982. In addition, the partnership now includes syndicated ACC football telecasts.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
