Oct. 17, 2011
Charlotte, N.C. – The Atlantic Coast Conference unveiled its latest media property today, the ACC Digital Network – a fully programmed video network designed, produced, and distributed exclusively for audiences watching on connected devices such as laptops and smartphones. The ACC Digital Network will provide fans with video coverage that is unique in college sports, combining exclusive access and authentic coverage of ACC sports with a custom-designed studio operation in Charlotte, N.C., that features a dedicated editorial team, a first-class team of hosts and analysts, and an exclusive focus on digital users.
The Digital Network is a joint venture between Raycom Sports, the conference’s long-standing broadcast and marketing partner, and Silver Chalice Ventures, a digital media company focused on building innovative new media properties for sports fans. The ACC Digital Network is the latest banner under the expanding ACC Network brand, the official multimedia platform of the conference.
The ACC Digital Network features an experienced and knowledgeable talent team led by former NBATV and NBA.com host Kyle Montgomery. In addition, Kelly Nash, who appeared on the CBS12 (West Palm Beach) weekend television series Beyond the Game, will contribute. ACC football experts include former Georgia Tech RB Dorsey Levens and former Wake Forest QB Riley Skinner. Additional contributions will be made by former standout ACC players and coaches such as Tommy Bowden.
ACC alumni and fans will now have instant access to programming exclusively dedicated to ACC Sports, featuring the latest and most in-depth coverage ever available. The Digital Network will provide regularly scheduled programming throughout the week and heavy game day coverage featuring full pregame and postgame highlights, news and analysis.
In addition to its home on theACC.com, the ACC Digital Network will be viewable through a variety of other platforms including the ACC’s official iPhone, Android, and iPad applications; the Conference’s official social destinations; TheACCDN.com; and local, regional and national new media sites. The ACC Digital Network will also work to secure major distribution partners on national VOD, OTT and IP-Connected platforms.
“The ACC Digital Network provides a new platform within the digital space that will showcase more content, in more places, than we’ve ever experienced before,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “The depth and reach of the ACC Network, including the multitude of platforms, has our league well positioned as we look towards the future. We’re really pleased with the tremendous progress that has been made and also pleased with how much this will mean to our fans. Partnering with Raycom and Silver Chalice is having dynamic results for us.”
“We are very excited to launch the ACC Digital Network, an innovative and comprehensive digital platform to reach ACC fans worldwide,” said Ken Haines, President and CEO of Raycom Sports. “We are committed to delivering compelling and original content that showcases the ACC and its student-athletes. This newest venture between the ACC, Raycom Sports and Silver Chalice expands the platforms and delivery of the ACC Network.”
“The ACC Digital Network is built to raise the standards for digital coverage of college sports, combining television quality editorial and production values with the opportunities for immediacy and interactivity that give audiences the ability to watch whenever they want, wherever they want, on their screen of choice. We know that ACC audiences are sophisticated consumers of sports media, so we have taken great care to create an operation that will be highly credible and authentic in its presentation, delivering upon their expectations” says Jason Coyle, COO of Silver Chalice Ventures.
The content will be free to users, supported by sponsorship and advertising. An official platform of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the network offers marketers a powerful and unique opportunity to reach a targeted and highly engaged audience both regionally and across the country.
About the Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is now in its 59th year of competition, the ACC has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation. Since the league’s inception in 1953, ACC schools have captured 122 national championships, including 65 in women’s competition and 57 in men’s. In addition, NCAA individual titles have gone to ACC student-athletes 140 times in men’s competition and 99 times in women’s action. For more information, visit theACC.com.
About the ACC Network and Raycom Sports
The ACC Network is the official multimedia platform of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Dedicated to delivering live, historical and original content through innovative platforms, the ACC Network is a partnership between the ACC and Raycom Sports. Built over 30 years of broadcast production and multimedia rights, the ACC Network maximizes the distribution of ACC content through live television broadcasting, the ACC Digital Network, historical archives, mobile applications, social media, ACC Championship events and the official ACC website. The ACC Network is managed in Charlotte, N.C. For more, visit ACCNetwork.com.
Charlotte-based Raycom Sports is a leading independent sports sales & marketing, syndication, event management and production firm. Raycom is the current syndicated television rightsholder of ACC men’s basketball and football telecasts through 2023. Raycom Sports, in a partnership with the ACC, operates the ACC Network, which distributes ACC content through live television broadcasting, original programming via digital technologies, historical archives, mobile applications, social media, ACC Championship events and the official ACC website. Raycom Sports’ parent company Raycom Media, located in Montgomery, Alabama, owns and operates 46 television stations covering over 12 percent of the United States across 18 states.
About Silver Chalice
Silver Chalice works with sports, media and entertainment partners to design, build, operate, and monetize profitable, high growth digital businesses. Silver Chalice, www.silverchalice.com, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chicago White Sox and has offices in Chicago, Boulder, New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
