BAMTech, the video technology business of MLB Advanced Media, the interactive media arm of Major League Baseball, has agreed a rights, technology and investment partnership with US digital sports media company Silver Chalice Ventures.
Under the agreement, BAMTech will provide its technology infrastructure and have access to distribute the Atlantic Coast Conference’s ACC Digital Network and the Campus Insiders platform.
Campus Insiders and the ACC Digital Network will transition to BAMTech’s streaming platform and pursue expansion of its portfolio of collegiate sports rights. SCV said the partnership will result in a new suite of live streaming products that will be offered to college sports fans across mobile and connected platforms later this year.
BAMTech has also acquired an equity position in SCV, which is an affiliate of MLB franchise the Chicago White Sox, marking the first outside investment SCV has taken since launching the ACC Digital Network, Campus Insiders and 120 Sports services.
Brooks Boyer, chief executive of Silver Chalice Ventures, said: “Having BAMTech as both an equity and technology partner creates innumerable new opportunities to explore and leverage rights in the ever-changing media landscape.”
Silver Chalice launched its digital sports network business in 2011 with the introduction of the ACC Digital Network, a partnership with the ACC conference and sports programming syndication group Raycom Sports.
Since then, Campus Insiders has launched its original news reporting and social media content operation and has strategic partnerships with the Big 12 Conference, Mountain West Conference, the West Coast Conference, the Patriot League, Conference USA and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Earlier this month, US sports broadcaster ESPN said it would launch a new multi-sport subscription streaming service after its owner, the Walt Disney media company, confirmed an investment in BAMTech.
Walt Disney agreed to pay $1bn (€900m) for a 33-per-cent stake in BAMTech and has the option to acquire majority ownership in the coming years.