Reports: ACC to Launch Digital Channel in August 2016, Traditional Network in 2019

Recently, various media reports have hinted that an ACC Network is coming soon, and on Monday night, media around the nation started tweeting and writing articles announcing that the network will launch soon, and details of the network will be released soon.

The major points of the reports are:

• The ACC will launch a digital-only (streaming) option next month, August 2016.
• A traditional linear channel, carried on cable and satellite in the style of the SEC Network and Big Ten Network, will launch in 2019.
• The ACC and ESPN have extended their rights deal through the 2035-36 academic year.
• The ACC has likewise extended its Grant of Rights (GOR) through the 2035-36 academic year.
• If Notre Dame joins a conference for football in the next 20 years, it is contractually obligated to join the ACC.

More Details on the ACC Network

Numerous indicators have pointed to an ACC Network announcement being imminent, and on Monday night, July 18th, Luke DeCock of the (Raleigh) News & Observer officially broke the news:

• ACC closing in on network deal with ESPN

Within a short period of time, ESPN's Brett McMurphy followed up with more details:

• ACC Network to launch by August 2019, according to sources

David Teel of the Daily Press also blogged more information:

• ACC's Swofford, ESPN plan to announce channel details Thursday
  

Major questions still remain unanswered, such as how much the network deal will pay ACC schools, and why there is a three-year delay in the launch of the linear, traditional channel.

The creation of the ACC Network means that only one of the Power 5 conferences doesn't have a dedicated network: the Big 12. The Big Ten Network (in partnership with Fox) and SEC Network (in partnership with ESPN) have been financially lucrative, but the PAC 12 Network (no established partner) has struggled to find distribution and traction, and thus far hasn't created the financial windfall for its members as the Big Ten and SEC networks have.

ACC Commissioner John Swofford will meet with the ACC media Thursday morning at the ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte and will hold a one-hour Commissioner's Forum. Per David Teel, Swofford is expected to discuss as many details of the network as possible at that time. TechSideline.com will be in attendance in Charlotte and will provide a report.