CSTV thinks big with new XXL broadband platform

Broadband continues to gain traction as a medium for sports content delivery. The PGA recently delivered exclusive video on the Web from the PGA Championships and the USTA Webcast U.S. Open matches on Labor Day. But it was CSTV Networks’ announcement of the creation of more than 100 new broadband channels that offer visitors a “virtual arena” with more than 10,000 live events, including audio, video and live data from games and press conferences, that is shaking up the Internet.

Dubbed CSTV XXL, the portal will give subscribers access to all the channels devoted to many of the top athletic programs in the country.

“Exclusive Internet content has become a vital element as we segue from a mass media to a personalized media world,” says Brian Bedol, President and CEO, CSTV Networks, Inc. “Oftentimes the only way passionate communities of college sports fans can stay connected and catch every play of every game is through original broadband content.”

Powering the 100-plus broadband channels in CSTV XXL are the combined capabilities of thePlatform Media Publishing System (MPS) and Maven Network’s Maven Media System (MMS). This comprehensive solution fulfills CSTV’s requirements by making it easier to do business through advanced media publishing, and creating an engaging, highly interactive experience for fans. Content delivery will be provided by Akamai®, the leading global service provider for accelerating content online.

“CSTV is an innovator in broadband sports programming with a strong college affiliate network and a deep understanding of consumer behavior online” said Hilmi Ozguc, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Maven Networks. “It is exciting to see that CSTV has fully leveraged Maven’s technology platform to deploy the most engaging and interactive sports experience of its kind anywhere on the Web. This truly represents not just the future of Internet TV but also of television in general.”

Consumers can subscribe to CSTV XXL via www.CSTVXXL.com or CSTV.com. For fans who want to follow a specific athletic program, the platform will be utilized to create customizable broadband channels on CSTV’s All-Access suite of more than 100 colleges including Auburn, BYU, Memphis, Miami, Navy, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Tennessee, Tulane, Villanova, UCLA, UNLV, USC and Washington. These individual broadband channels, named accordingly for each school such as “Fighting Irish All-Access,” are tailored to give every school its own look and feel. The All-Access channel platform is available to every university and college regardless of who publishes its athletic web site.

“Our fans and subscribers will be able to enjoy multi media content on usctrojans.com like never before,” said Joe Eskenazi, Associate Athletic Director, University of Southern California. “The look, feel and quality of the presentation are exactly in line with how we present USC content – unique, dynamic and in a first class way.”