ACC Network Now Official

The long-awaited ACC Network is coming to a television near you in three years and your streaming device much sooner.

The announcement was made official Thursday morning at the Atlantic Coast Conference Kickoff media event being held in Charlotte.

ACC Commissioner John Swofford and ESPN President John Skipper – both UNC graduates – announced the 20-year partnership with the conference the cable-sports giant.

As part of the agreement, more than 600 exclusive live events from across the conference will be made available via a digital live-events channel – “ACC Network Extra” – beginning this August.

A television channel would then launch under the ESPN umbrella in 2019. That network would be home to “450 exclusive live events, including 40 regular-season football games, more than 150 men’s and women’s basketball games, more than 200 other regular-season contests and tournament games from across the conference’s 27-sponsored events,” according to a release. Officials say the network will also include a “component of news and information shows and original programming.”

ESPN President John Skipper:

“We look forward to working with our longtime partners at the ACC to create a network that reflects the depth and quality of its athletes and teams, and serves the fans who passionately support them. We are proud and excited to add the ACC Network to our industry-leading college content offerings.”

ACC Commissioner John Swofford:

“On behalf of the ACC Council of Presidents, Faculty Athletics Representatives and our ACC Television Committee, we are tremendously pleased to further enhance our long-term partnership with ESPN that includes the creation of the ACC Network and ACC Network Extra, and positions the conference for the long-term future. This partnership continues to be a win-win for ESPN and the ACC. ESPN is the premier provider in sports content and this agreement will deliver unprecedented coverage to our fans, while highlighting our quality student-athletes, coaches and institutions.”

UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham:

“ESPN is the leader in the distribution of live sports broadcasting and our league’s partnership with the network has been strengthened. The agreement today extends our rights with ESPN and ensures Carolina’s athletic programs will receive a tremendous amount of exposure across a variety of network platforms for many years to come. With this agreement, Carolina and the ACC are well positioned for future coverage of our outstanding teams and their successes.”

UNC head football coach Larry Fedora:

“The addition of the ACC Network strengthens our brand and provides another platform to showcase all of our outstanding teams at North Carolina. ESPN has been a great partner with the ACC for many years and a stand-alone channel demonstrates the network’s continued dedication to our conference.”

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