OVC Digital Network launches new features in its 4th year

Written by Kyle Schwartz
Ohio Valley Conference

Brentwood, TN – After a successful first three years that saw over 2,000 events streamed for free and over 1,000,000 views, the OVC Digital Network (www.OVCDigitalNetwork.com) is gearing up for year number four.

The first regular season soccer and volleyball matches opened the network’s fourth season in August. The 2015 football season kicks off in September with four gridiron contests set to be streamed.

There are two new features for 2015-16 that will make viewing better for fans as the stream has incorporated a “DVR” function that will allow any viewer to rewind and/or fast forward to any point of the contest while it is live; previously a fan could only rewind the stream 30 seconds.

The other function is an “instant archiving” feature that will allow fans to watch a replay of the contest immediately after the event concludes.

“We are extremely excited about the updates that our streaming partner Sidearm Sports has implemented to the OVCDN for the upcoming year,” said Brian Pulley, OVC Assistant Commissioner for External Affairs. “Our goal is to give the best streaming experience we possibly can to our fans and the new features will make it much easier for them to catch all of the action.”

Austin Peay home games are produced by APSU’s Communications department.

Prior to the 2012-13 season the OVC rebranded its Digital Network as it switched to a free model that provides high-definition video to fans on any computer, tablet or smart phone. The service also requires no registration as fans can simply visit the site to access the streams.

The OVCDN is a partnership with SIDEARM Sports, which also hosts OVCSports.com.

The 2014-15 season featured over 800 total events with 400,000 viewers watching the sports of football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball and baseball. Schools also produced and aired coaches shows, graduation ceremonies and other ancillary events.

The 2015-16 season will feature the same commitment to high quality video productions and a consistent feel across the OVC. Schools will continue to air every home football and men’s and women’s basketball contest and also branch out in airing more volleyball, soccer, baseball and softball contests in addition to other ancillary events.

The league will also continue to stream OVC Championship (soccer, volleyball, women’s basketball, opening rounds of the men’s basketball tournament, baseball and softball) events during the season.