PAC-12 Network to Launch in August
Fans of Pac-12 sports will be able to keep up with their favorite teams and athletes from their smartphones, tablets, and TVs, starting next month when the Pac-12 Networks launch. The new seven network franchise, covering events from all 12 campuses, is scheduled to debut August 15.
Silicon Valley's Cisco Systems will provide the technology infrastructure for the new college sports network. In a statement released today to the press, Cisco reported that the Pac-12 will use its Videoscape Origination Suite, which includes Cisco's IP-centric PowerVu video processing and distribution platform, and Digital Content Manager, to deliver the live broadcasts.
The Pac-12 Networks conducted a signal test Monday, sending a live feed from its northern California offices to Denver's Comcast Media Center and each of its affiliates. PowerVu enabled the network to "deliver MPEG4 HD content with surround sound audio to both MPEG4 and MPEG2 CATV headends, while also managing dynamic programming changes, ad insertion and providing a control and conditional access system for the highest levels of security."
The Pac-12 Networks, consisting of one national network and six regional feeds, plans to broadcast 850 live sporting events annually, including 35 football and more than 130 men's basketball games in its inaugural year.
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Kanoe Namahoe is online editor for 1105 Media's Education Group. She can be reached at [email protected].