ACC Network Announced

The Atlantic Coast Conference announced on Thursday the ACC and ESPN will launch the ACC Network. The network partnership will extend the ACC's existing rights agreement with ESPN to 2036.

"On behalf of the ACC Council of Presidents, Faculty Athletics Representatives and our ACC Television Committee, we are tremendously pleased to further enhance our long-term partnership with ESPN that includes the creation of the ACC Network and ACC Network Extra, and positions the conference for the long-term future," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford in a release. "This partnership continues to be a win-win for ESPN and the ACC. ESPN is the premier provider in sports content and this agreement will deliver unprecedented coverage to our fans, while highlighting our quality student-athletes, coaches and institutions."

BIG DAY for @hokiesports and the @theACC . @espn #gamechanger— Whit Babcock (@WhitBabcock) July 21, 2016

ACCs new grant of rights means if Notre Dame joins football conference before 2036, it has to be ACC— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) July 19, 2016

#Hokies AD Whit Babcock says adding production infrastructure could cost #VT $2M-$6M. #ACCKickoff ACCNetwork— David Teel (@DavidTeelatDP) July 21, 2016

The ACC Network Extra, a digital live events channel, will be available in August 2016 on ESPN3 via WatchESPN and the ESPN app. More than 600 exclusive live events are scheduled for the digital launch. The number of ACC events distributed across the platforms will climb to more than 1,300 in 2019 when the linear network debuts.

The linear network will feature 450 exclusive live events. That includes: 40 regular season football games, more than 150 men's and women's basketball games, more than 200 other regular-season contests and tournament games from across the ACC's 27-sponsored sports.

As part of the #ACCNetwork agreement, #ACCMBB will move to 20 league games in 2019, coinciding with the launch of the linear channel.— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) July 21, 2016

Swofford: ACC syndication deal with Raycom continues until ACC Network deal begins in 2019.— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) July 21, 2016

ACC clearly all about creating as much high-end inventory as possible with its new network. A logical next step? 9-game league FB schedule.— Patrick Stevens (@D1scourse) July 21, 2016

The ACC Network's broadcast offering will be bolstered by a complement of news and information shows and original programming. ESPN has been televising ACC content since 1979 and has exclusive rights to every conference-controlled football and men's basketball game, women's basketball and conference sports matchups, as well as all ACC championship events.

"We look forward to working with our longtime partners at the ACC to create a network that reflects the depth and quality of its athletes and teams, and serves the fans who passionately support them," ESPN President said John Skipper said in a release. "We are proud and excited to add the ACC Network to our industry-leading college content offerings."

The ACC Network, it's happening.