University of Oklahoma Athletics
Oklahoma Joins CSTV Online
June 28, 2007 | Athletics
June 28, 2007
NEW YORK AND NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma, in conjunction with its multimedia rights partner, Sooner Sports Properties, has signed on to become the latest partner in CSTV's industry leading Online Network, announced jointly today by CSTV Networks, Inc. and the University. CSTV will operate Oklahoma's official athletics Web site, providing Sooner fans with the most in-depth coverage and interactive content of Oklahoma sports that has ever been available.
Together, CSTV and Oklahoma will launch the new and improved Web site, SoonerSports.com, on July 1, 2007.
The cutting-edge site will offer a seamless internet experience for fans, including Oklahoma All-Access, an interactive broadband channel dedicated to live and on-demand Sooner sports and other athletics programming. Oklahoma All-Access, a subscription service, will feature exclusive live and on-demand audio and video content of games, special events, game highlights, press conferences, coaches' shows, behind-the-scenes features, archived games and much more.
"The University of Oklahoma has set the bar high in collegiate athletics and is truly an exciting, marquee addition to the CSTV network of official athletic sites," said Tim Pernetti, Executive Vice President, Content, CSTV Networks. "In the relationship, Sooner fans will have the ultimate experience, allowing them to find the unique content they want, whenever they want it, whether they are in Norman or anyplace else. Through Oklahoma's own broadband channel and our various new media platforms, CSTV will change the way in which Sooner fans connect with their favorite sports and teams."
Joe Castiglione, Vice President for Athletics Program and Director of Athletics at Oklahoma, said moving new technology and greater access to fans is his greatest motivation with the Web site.
"Although we've been pleased with the year to year evolution of our current website product, when one considers how fast digital technology has evolved in recent years, it became imperative that we seek the resources to fulfill our commitment to continuous improvement," Castiglione said. "We will always be aggressive in the development of new opportunities to serve our stakeholders. In selecting CSTV as our new partner for this endeavor, we were convinced they had the resources to serve our needs. In addition, we were impressed by the quality and scope of the partnerships they already have in place. They will help propel our strategy. With an expanding list of which already includes iTunes, YouTube, NetFlakes and Google Video, Oklahoma can always stay on the cutting edge.
"We are thrilled about their vision of enhancing content distribution and maximizing revenue. This will serve our sports programs and our growing fan base very well. We look forward to a long-term relationship."
In addition to Oklahoma All-Access, CSTV will launch a custom Web site with a variety of online features including an e-commerce store, photo galleries and CSTV's exclusive GameTrackerTM technology, which allows fans to follow live simulated game action, details and full play-by-play of their favorite Sooner sports. SoonerSports.com will also receive CSTV's industry-leading online and new media solutions, including access to new distribution platforms such as CSTV2Go mobile and podcasting.
Sooner Sports Properties is a division of Learfield Sports, which administers multimedia rights for nearly 35 collegiate institutions and associations including fellow Big 12 members Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas State, Missouri and Texas A&M. The Dallas-based company also secures marketing partnerships for the Black Coaches Association (BCA) and provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,000 radio stations throughout the country.
Additionally, Team Services, LLC, a Learfield Sports company, specializes in venue naming rights, marketing research and sales consultation.
CSTV Networks, Inc., now part of the CBS Corporation, is the leading digital and cable programming company dedicated to college sports. Connecting more fans to more college sports than any other company, its many platforms for programming distribution include CSTV: College Sports TV, televising regular-season and championship events for 35 men's and women's college sports; CSTV.com and its network of more than 215 official athletic sites; CSTV All Access, broadband services providing live audio and video of more than 10,000 events annually; as well as satellite television and radio, in-flight entertainment, wireless networks and more. Further information is available at www.CSTV.com.
