Big East teams up with Fox Sports for new digital channel

The Big East Conference college sports organisation has partnered with the Fox Sports division of US network Fox to launch a new digital channel offering free live streaming of 80-100 events annually.

The Big East Digital Network will commence operations from the 2014-15 academic year and will also provide authenticated live streaming of Big East events on Fox Sports networks.

The Network will have its own branded channel within Fox Sports Go, the app that provides live streaming video of Fox Sports content. The Big East is the first collegiate conference to be hosted on the network’s mobile platform.

Fox Sports Go will launch the Network on September 25 and will feature a women’s soccer match between Georgetown at DePaul as the first event.

With most Big East men’s basketball games set to be televised on Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Sports regional networks, or the Fox broadcast network during the 2014-15 season, the Big East Digital Network is designed to supplement scheduled television coverage while expanding exposure of additional athletic contests, including women’s basketball and the conference's 20 Olympic sports. 

In addition to live streaming, content will include highlights, selected news coverage and shoulder programming.

Big East Conference commissioner Val Ackerman said: “Thanks to Fox Sports Go's reach, the Digital Network will provide substantial distribution of Big East sports to a wider audience and better serve our student-athletes and their supporters.”