Post by cviller on Sept 7, 2007 11:21:06 GMT -5
Courtesy: BIG EAST Conference
The BIG EAST Conference launched its new Web site with JumpTV on Sept. 1
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – When the BIG EAST Conference was founded in 1979, it was built on a foundation of innovative and creative initiatives used to maximize exposure for the league and its members through the inception of cable television. The wave of the future is now the Internet and broadband video, and the BIG EAST Conference has continued to be on the cutting edge of television and publicity concepts by partnering with JumpTV to host its Web site, www.bigeast.org.
JumpTV, which recently acquired the XOS Network as part of its JumpTV Sports Division, and the BIG EAST Conference have announced a three-year partnership in which JumpTV will host the Conference’s official homepage, www.bigeast.org, the league’s newly branded broadband channel BIGEAST.tv, as well as other new exclusive fan content – which includes mobile wallpapers and ring tones, access to online auctions and online publications and photo stores. The site will also continue to link to the Conference’s online store for officially licensed apparel.
“Since its formation, The BIG EAST Conference has been very creative in developing and exploiting television and technological initiatives that generate exposure for our member schools,” stated BIG EAST Conference Commissioner Michael Tranghese. “This innovative approach began back in 1979 as we recognized the potential and power of cable television before anyone else, and continues today as we partner with JumpTV and venture into the world of broadband video, which will offer our fans the ultimate in interactivity through a seamless broadband experience. This new broadband video channel, BIGEAST.tv, again underscores our status as a cutting-edge leader within the collegiate sports realm.”
In addition to unprecedented national, regional and local television exposure for the league, the BIG EAST’s new men’s and women’s basketball and football television contracts with ESPN give the league new media rights to utilize footage for on-demand use. With an unprecedented number of contests involving league games on ESPN, Inc. platforms, the BIG EAST’s Web site and broadband channel will house more content than ever before. This includes exclusive highlights of any BIG EAST games on television, which includes 139 of 144 games on the men’s basketball conference schedule.
The Conference Web site will also house highlights of nationally televised regular season and conference championship Olympic sports games, which include games televised on ESPNU, CSTV: College Sports Television and the Fox Soccer Channel.
“As JumpTV Sports paves the way for innovation and interactivity, we’re pleased to welcome the BIG EAST to our ever-growing network of professional and collegiate sports sites,” said Nada Usina, president, JumpTV Sports. “The BIG EAST Conference encompasses 16 schools known for both their outstanding academic reputations as well as their athletic prowess. The league’s reputation, diversity and strength are sure to be a catalyst for increased attention to its new site.” Usina continues, “This is a proud moment for our company. JumpTV has a strong global presence with content partners in more than 75 countries and subscribers in more than 100 countries worldwide. The combination of the former XOS Network and JumpTV’s strengths, through the JumpTV Sports division, will allow the BIG EAST to have an interactive edge over other conferences outside the JumpTV Sports network.”
The BIG EAST is the only Bowl Championship Series charter member to have its entire web site hosted by JumpTV. In addition, it is the 12th conference overall to be aligned with JumpTV.
In addition to the new features and video available on www.bigeast.org, the BIG EAST’s Official Web site will continue to be a source for fans to access of up-to-date news, scores, standings, fan polls, schedules, photo galleries, conference and team statistics, live stats and exclusive championship content for each of the league’s 23 sponsored sports at Championship Central.
About The BIG EAST Conference
The BIG EAST is the largest and most diverse Division I conference in the country. It was formed in 1979 and represents the athletic interests of 16 member institutions including the University of Cincinnati, University of Connecticut, DePaul University, Georgetown University, University of Louisville, Marquette University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pittsburgh, Providence College, Rutgers University, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, University of South Florida, Syracuse University, Villanova University and West Virginia University. The BIG EAST Conference has captured 25 national championships in six different sports and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series. For more information on the Conference and its membership, please visit www.BIGEAST.org.
About JumpTV
JumpTV (AIM, TSX: JTV) is a leading distributor of live international television and sports over the Internet. With more than 300 television channels from 75+ countries and more than 170 partnerships with sports teams and leagues, JumpTV delivers full-screen sports, news and entertainment content on a real-time basis from all corners of the globe to computers, Internet-enabled television sets, IP set-top-boxes and cell phones with browser access. For more information, visit www.jumptv.com.