PlayOn! Sports, which already presents programming from schools in 26 states, is forming an all-digital network with the National Federation of State High School Associations that will launch in time for the upcoming 2013-14 academic year.
A joint venture of NFHS and PlayOn, the subscription based service will be available at NFHSnetwork.com. Each of the 51 NFHS state association members has the opportunity to join the NFHS Network to showcase its high schools, student athletes and tournaments.
The freshman NFHS Network, which will consolidate high school fare that the parties believe will appeals to schools, student-athletes, families, fans, alumni and advertisers, will build on PlayOn’s current digital platform that streams nearly 30,000 events per school year.
The company, which is helmed by former Turner executive David Rudolph, also produces and distributes coverage of select championship events for television, mobile devices and DVDs. PlayOn has been working with 32 state associations and sections in 26 states, as well as more than 600 high schools across the country that have adopted its technology platform to self-produce their school’s sports and activities. Consumers access PlayOn! Sports’ broadband content through portals that are branded to the state associations. PlayOn! offers year-round programming, including football, basketball, baseball, competitive cheerleading, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming/diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting and wrestling.
PlayOn CEO Rudolph said "teaming up with the NFHS is a natural progression to build a truly national high school sports platform while honoring the local communities that support them. Our mission is to serve the current and future generations of student-athletes, support and encourage their participation and make their performances accessible to their friends, family and fans on every media platform they use.”
Noted NFHS executive director Bob Gardner: “With 19,000 high schools in the United States and nearly two million events held annually across the country, we are very excited about this enormous opportunity. Once launched, the network will help the Federation showcase its primary mission of expanding participation and opportunities for involvement in education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities. We are excited to provide viewership opportunities for fans of high school athletics all over the country.”
