Ivy League launches conference-wide digital broadcast network

Ever since conferences started running their own digital video packages, Ivy League fans have wanted in on the action.

But for the last few years, Ancient Eight fans have had to pay for each individual school's streaming service. In addition to being a logistical hassle, that could get pretty expensive.

Those days are over now.

The Ivy League finally announced on Friday the creation of a conference-wide video platform that will launch in August. It has been in the works for some time, and got some practice runs during this past basketball season.

You'll be able to watch live games from a wide variety of sports on computers, tablets and mobile devices. Which means that for the first time, you'll be able go to one place to watch every football and basketball contest in the conference.

Streams will come from the schools' own production teams. This platform will bring them all together in one place.

As for how much a subscription will cost, I've been told that a price point has not been determined yet. Expect it to be announced closer to when the platform goes live this summer.

Here's the press release from the league office:

THE IVY LEAGUE, NEULION ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF THE CONFERENCE'S FIRST-EVER DIGITAL NETWORK

PLAINVIEW, N.Y. & PRINCETON, N.J. -- The Ivy League, one of the nation's most diverse and successful intercollegiate athletics conferences, has partnered with NeuLion, Inc. (TSX: NLN), the leading enabler and provider of live and on-demand content to Internet-connected devices, to create the conference's first-ever digital sports network. 

Available to subscribers in August, The Ivy League Digital Network will be accessible on multiple devices, including PCs, smartphones and tablets, allowing for an all-new nine (9)-channel network of Ivy League action anytime, anywhere. Each of the conference's eight (8) schools will have their own individual channel and the Ivy League will have its own League-wide channel featuring all available digital content across the conference. 

The new network, powered by the NeuLion College Platform, will provide live and on-demand video and audio content from each school with interactive touch points that will consistently offer a personalized experience for Ivy League fans everywhere. 

"This partnership represents a monumental step forward in enhancing our connection to our fans and continuing to showcase our brand of intercollegiate athletics worldwide," said Robin Harris, Ivy League Executive Director. "Coupled with NeuLion's demonstrated experience in delivering digital content to any device, this new network will maximize our alumni's affinities for their schools by providing a single digital destination to access every school's sports content with multiple subscription options by school, sport or season." 

With a comprehensive view of sports for each school and across the conference including League-wide sports calendars and access to live and on-demand content from multiple devices, the new Ivy League Digital Network is expected to increase engagement with Ivy League fans and drive broader viewing of school and League content. 

"It's not just about streaming video," said Chris Wagner, EVP and Co-Founder of NeuLion. "It's about the fan experience, the high quality video on any device, and the interaction with the game or match which includes stats, social media and more. The NeuLion College Platform is designed for all of that, each and every time, no matter where Ivy League fans are."