Here is a preview of what to expect with the ESPN3 TV deal and MAC men's and women's basketball.

NIU and two other MAC schools (I'd assume Ball State is one) will be broadcasting all the games on ESPN3 this year as well as volleyball, other sports, and press conferences, etc. With the addition of the press conference and highlight shows it give the MAC "channel" more content on WatchESPN app on Roku etc..

"Sept. 24, 2014

DeKALB, Ill. - At least 35 Northern Illinois University athletic events, including nearly every home men's and women's basketball game, will be available to fans across the nation for free on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app in 2014-15, NIU, the Mid-American Conference and ESPN announced Wednesday.

NIU is one of three Mid-American Conference institutions selected to be part of the initial season of the league's ESPN school content production program, an important part of the new 13-year rights agreement between the MAC and the worldwide leader in sports.

A crew made up of NIU Media Services staff and student workers will produce the events, giving the students valuable experience working on the high-quality, ESPN-branded productions. In addition to men's and women's basketball, NIU volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics competitions, as well as major press conferences and more, will be made available to a nationwide audience online via ESPN3. This program does not include football games, which will continue to be produced directly through ESPN. "

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/w-baskb...14aaa.html

CMU and Buffalo are the other two schools.

what was the criteria for selecting the 3 schools to go first?

(09-24-2014 07:07 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  what was the criteria for selecting the 3 schools to go first?

NIU being willing to commit staff and students to work on the productions was a significant factor, IMO.

Quote:A crew made up of NIU Media Services staff and student workers will produce the events, giving the students valuable experience working on the high-quality, ESPN-branded productions.

(09-24-2014 07:07 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  what was the criteria for selecting the 3 schools to go first?

They had to be most prepared. Thats why Im a little shocked Ball State with SportsLink wasn't one of them. NIU has a state of the art production studio and set-up in their Convo and hires a media company. UB already produced good basketball productions. Not quite as sure about CMU but maybe they agreed to buy all the equipment and buck up.

The equipment required is pretty expensive. SEC Network had to implement similar equipment and studio at their schools and they spent $5-$7 million each. This won't be like the MACDN productions of just one or two cameras. It will be multiple cameras at multiple locations in HD and the radio broadcasts dubbed over the video won't cut it. On-air talent will be at the expense of the schools.