It’s a 14-year agreement in which Turner will manage and operate the NCAA’s digital portfolio and strengthen coverage of all 88 NCAA championships. NCAA Digital encompasses NCAA.com and additional NCAA digital platforms including mobile web and apps, as well as other connected devices. Turner will enhance editorial coverage and the technology behind live video streaming, stats, highlights and social media interactivity, as well as manage ad sales for NCAA digital platforms.
Turner will focus its efforts for NCAA Digital on all 88 NCAA Championship tournaments across 23 sports (men’s and women’s) in all three divisions, with a commitment to increased original programming, studio shows, enhanced selection shows, live video for those events and related features. Turner Sports plans to re-launch NCAA.com during the first quarter of 2011.
The length of the deal coincides with the NCAA’s announcement earlier this year with Turner and CBS for a new 14-year television, internet and wireless rights agreement to present the Division I Men’s Basketball Championship beginning in 2011. As part of the agreement, the tournament will air across Turner’s television networks, TBS, TNT and truTV and CBS. The joint agreement also includes Turner’s operational oversight of NCAA March Madness on Demand on broadband, as well as March Madness mobile assets. Turner and CBS will also jointly share sponsorship sales responsibilities for March Madness on Demand.
The agreement does not include NCAA.org, the Association’s public and administrative website, or NCAA’s digital archival video rights.
