The first OVC events to be broadcast on ESPN+ will be two football games on Thursday, August 30, which includes the Murray State Racers at home against the Southern Illinois Salukis. In total, 36 OVC football games will be streamed on ESPN+ this season. Another eight games will be streamed live on ESPN3 as part of the league's Game of the Week package.
The sports of soccer and volleyball will see regular season contests air on the OVC Digital Network this fall before ESPN+ becomes the exclusive streaming home of Ohio Valley Conference productions and features exclusive regular-season and OVC Championship broadcasts.
"The OVC membership is delighted to be able to extend our long-standing partnership with ESPN and to expand our level of exposure with ESPN+ during this its inaugural year," said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. "ESPN+ is an innovative initiative that will permit the OVC to not only serve its current fanbase, but expand its reach, as sports fans in general will be able to view our exciting contests and learn more about the storied history of the league."
Added Burke Magnus, ESPN executive vice president of programming, "We are very happy to be continuing a great relationship with the OVC and its rich sporting legacy across multiple sports. The passionate and dedicated fans and alumni of OVC member institutions will have a dynamic new digital home for sports on ESPN+, alongside an incredible lineup of other live sports and original programming."
Under the arrangement, the OVC Men's basketball championship game will continue to air on either ESPN or ESPN2, with ESPNU and ESPNNEWS broadcasting additional events. Additional linear opportunities are included, and the OVC will maintain its exposure on ESPN3, including a Football Game of the Week.
