NEW YORK, July 27 (UPI) -- The Pac-12 Conference inaugurated a package of seven new TV sports networks Wednesday in New York, boasting agreements with major cable operators.
To be called the Pac-12 Networks, the package will include one national network to be carried on sports tiers that require an extra fee, and six regional networks to be carried on basic subscription levels in their areas.
Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said Northern California, Southern California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and the Mountain regions will each have their own set of Pac-12 programming concentrating on local schools.
Scott said arrangement, set to begin in August 2012, will be the first time a U.S. collegiate conference -- or any other programmer -- has launched a collection of networks across a variety of platforms rather than a sole network.
One of the new platforms will be digital devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, for which the conference will offer "Pac-12 Everywhere" programming.
Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks have already signed on with the Pac-12 Networks, Scott said.
