Pac-12 Networks set to go live
Whether it's on your TV or iPad, Pac-12 Conference action is about to change the way fans consume sports.
The Pac-12 Networks will launch Wednesday at 6 p.m., starting with "Pac-12 Live" where co-hosts Mike Yam and Ashley Adamson set the stage from the San Francisco studios and preview what's ahead as the conference unveils its national station and six regional channels for the first time.
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Arizona and Arizona State will share its own network, as will Washington and Washington State, UCLA and USC, California and Stanford, Oregon and Oregon State, and Colorado and Utah.
The networks will air original programming such as coaches shows, team-by-team outlooks, past classic games and live events - including 35 football games, 125 men's basketball games, 50 women's basketball games and a selection of 200 Olympic sports, separate from the events that will air on ESPN and Fox.
Approximately 850 events will be televised by the network, 350 of which will be live.
"Our production and programming staff have been hard at work over the past several months to develop a schedule that will be engaging to fans, and equitable across the Conference's sport programs and teams," said Lydia Murphy-Stephans, Pac-12 Networks executive vice president and general manager, in a release. "It's a thrill to see the final product come to life."
The Wildcats football team will play its second and third games of the season on the network, starting with a 7:30 p.m. showdown at home against Oklahoma State on Sept. 8.
Those in the Southern Arizona area can find the regional Pac-12 Arizona channel on 75 and 1075 (high definition) through Cox; channels 103 and 598 (HD) through Comcast; channels 76 and 776 (HD) through Western Broadband; and channels 71 and 871 (HD) through Orbitel. The national station is available in standard definition on channel 283 via Comcast.
However, deals have yet to be reached with Dish Network, Direct TV, AT&T, Verizon or Charter Cable.
It is the start of what is expected to be a big boost for the Pac-12, which will begin its 12-year, $3 billion deal with ABC, ESPN and Fox. In addition to being available on your ordinary TV, games will be available on computers, smartphones and tablets at no extra charge. Applications for phone are expected to be ready within a few weeks.
Here's a look at some of the fall programming schedule, via the Pac-12:
Pac-12 football previews
Air date: Premieres Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. PT with a one-hour conference-wide outlook and 12 30-minute school-specific shows:
Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. - Pac-12 Conference outlook
Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. - Oregon
Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. - Colorado
Aug. 18 at 9:30 p.m. - Utah
Aug. 19 at 7:00 p.m. - Arizona
Aug. 19 at 9:30 p.m. - Arizona State
Aug. 20 at 8:00 p.m. - Washington State
Aug. at 8:00 p.m. - Washington
Aug. 22 at 8:00 p.m. - Oregon State
Aug. 23 at 8:00 p.m. - Stanford
Aug. 25 at 5:00 p.m. - UCLA
Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. - California
Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. - USC
What is it?: Each installment will feature interviews from key players and coaches for a comprehensive outlook highlighting the biggest games and key names to watch.
Pac-12 Football Encore
Air date: Premieres Aug. 15 at 8:30 p.m.
What is it?: To start, the top 10 games from the 2011 season will be replayed, starting with the inaugural Pac-12 championship game between Oregon and UCLA. Starting Sept. 3, the top two games of the week will be re-aired.
Pac-12 Classics
Air date: Premieres Aug. 16 at 8:30 p.m.
What is it?: Regular installments featuring each Pac-12 school will air the original play-by-play call, in addition to new interviews with the players, coaches and historians who were involved and lived the moment.
Pac-12 Football Pre- and Postgame shows
Air date: Premieres Aug. 30, but its regular air date will be one hour prior to every Pac-12 football game day.
What is it?: Hosted by Yam and Adamson along with analysts Rick Neuheisel and Curtis Conway, the program will provide news from reporters at each game site that week including injury updates and weather forecasts.
After the contest, the crew will go through the highlights and interviews from all of the day's action.
Football in 60
Air date: Premieres Sept. 2 at 11 a.m., with 79 episodes throughout the week
What is it?: The previous week's games will air in a condensed, one-hour version.
Click Here to view this Link.Tracy McDannald
GOAZCATS.com Senior Editor