Introducing 120 SPORTS: The First MultiSport, League-Built Live Streaming Video Network

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today a first-of-its-kind network partnership involving multiple leagues and media properties was announced as 120 Sports, a live-streaming network created for the digital generation and the devices it uses most. In 120 Sports, today's fans will have access to unauthenticated video programming through a new technology platform built to intuitively integrate video and data in ways fans haven't experienced before. At launch, content partners will include 120 Sports equity investor Time Inc. (owner of Sports Illustrated), as well as the NHL, NBA, MLB.com, NASCAR and leading collegiate conferences via Campus Insiders (a joint venture between IMG College and Chicago-based digital sports-media company Silver Chalice).

The groundbreaking enterprise, named 120 Sports for its concept of offering original sports programming in two-minute segments, will produce and distribute a 24-hour live linear network driven by a videocentric, 360-degree look across all sports. Set to debut later this spring, 120 Sports will feature original and hosted programming that will deliver timely, interactive narratives of the stories around sports, including game footage, analysis, conversation and social commentary from the players, newsmakers as well as voices of the fans.

"120 Sports is an innovative, addictive product that will give sports fans an amazing amount of always-on sports content and great technology so they can engage with news and highlights wherever they are," said Todd Larsen, Time Inc. Executive Vice President. "The product will offer Sports Illustrated fans a terrific complement to our editorial coverage, and as a business partner Time Inc. will have a stake in an enterprise with tremendous promise."

"We are always looking for new ways to serve our fans and provide them with the compelling digital content they crave," said John Collins, Chief Operating Officer of the NHL, also an equity partner. "This partnership with 120 Sports will be a nice addition to our current programming lineup and a win for all sports fans."

"This is the right time to collaborate across the infrastructure of sports properties as we take the collective assets of each partner directly to fans on their favorite devices," said Bob Bowman, President & CEO, MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM). "Building a venture of this magnitude could only succeed with the right group of sports and news organizations and in the 120 Sports launch partners we have a product that will deliver on its promise to fans."

The 120 Sports offering will originate through a state-of-the-art video and data product designed and optimized across all interactive media platforms, including: mobile, tablet, web, and connected devices. Created and powered by equity investor MLBAM's technology infrastructure and mobile app development, the product will debut as free native applications for mobile and tablet devices as well as a web experience at 120Sports.com and other distribution outlets. A premium content offering will be introduced next year.

Silver Chalice, also an equity investor in 120 Sports, will oversee production and business operations. Production headquarters for 120 Sports and its talent will be based in Chicago at a custom-designed and built digital production facility on the campus of Harpo Studios. Silver Chalice and Sports Illustrated's national sales organizations will lead all sales and marketing, while Sports Illustrated and Time Inc. will also provide operational and business development support.

To learn more about 120 Sports, visit http://www.120sports.com or follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/120Sports and Twitter https://twitter.com/120Sports.

Additional partners, programming and talent for 120 Sports will be announced at a later date.

SOURCE 120 Sports