PAC-12 Network sets the bar very high

College athletics is big business.  College sports programs compete with professional entities for coaching talent, prospective players, and state-of-the-art facilities.  The introduction of networks such as NFL network and the Golf Channel provided an advantage to the professional sports by broadcasting their respective sports programming 24 hours a day.   Now the college programs have made a huge leap in the same direction. 

The larger conferences sign multi-billion dollar deals with networks such as ESPN to broadcast their sports year round.  However, The Big Ten made a huge leap by starting its own network.  This means they can generate income from games not typically shown nationally by putting them on their own network.  This helps to generate income.  In the offseason, they can show classic games from years past in various sports and adjust their programming to address the changing of the sports with the seasons.  Also, women’s athletics gets more national attention, since most men’s sports are more than likely going to be broadcast in preference. 

The creation of the Longhorn Network caused many shifts in conference alignment.  The Pacific-10 has now added two teams, changed its alignment to two divisions, and is now preparing to launch its own network.  One of the main differences between the new PAC-12 network and The Big Ten Network is how in formatting.  The prospective design of the PAC-12 network will include one national network and six regional networks.  Thy currently have deals with the four major cable providers in their geographic region: Bright House, Comcast, Time Warner and Cox. The Big Ten only broadcast through DirecTV at its onset and the Longhorn Network has minimal outreach.

There will also be a digital platform not featured with the Big Ten Network.  This takes advantage of the surge in social media and technology such as the iPad and various applications for other products such as phones and computers.  In addition, the PAC-12 will be the sole owner of its network, whereas the Big Ten Network is collaboration between its conference and television stations such as FOX. 

All of this comes from the desk of PAC-12 commissioner Larry Scott.  His vision for the conference and the network create a dynamic new arena for college sports.  With plans to host games overseas, such as in China, college sports will continue to ride at the front of the money train.