Ivy League Digital Network Launched Last Weekend

The Ivy League Digital Network, a new online network that livestreams athletic contests from all eight Ivy League schools, premiered this past weekend with the showing of 23 live events.

The league partnered with NeuLion—a company which offers digital video broadcasting services—to create the channel and will deliver the content on the NeuLion College Platform. The platform operates with more than 175 colleges, universities, and conferences across the nation.

“NeuLion was chosen, out a field of several possible streaming companies, due to their advanced streaming technology base,” Halevi wrote in an email to The Crimson. “Their ability to use that technology [will] improve the viewing experience for our fans.”

Harvard announced its participation in the network in July, seven months after hiring Imry Halevi as the first-ever director of multimedia and production.

The University’s channel features content for desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.

In January, Halevi wrote in an email to The Crimson that one goal of the new department was to make the University’s online streaming technologies “on the same level as the best college streams of the country.”

Since that announcement, Halevi has written that the department has moved closer to that goal.

“We are now in a position to produce streams at the highest possible quality,” Halevi wrote in an email to The Crimson in July.

These new initiatives include filming more athletic events, improved high-definition quality, and a new graphics package.

“Everyone at Harvard Athletics is excited for the launch,” Halevi wrote. “We’ll be providing a state-of-the-art way for all our fans to follow the Crimson if they cannot come to games.”

The Harvard channel will be offered in a variety of subscription packages, ranging from one-day passes to full-year packages. In addition to single-school subscriptions, fans will also be able to purchase subscriptions covering all eight Ivy League schools.

“We are excited for the opportunity to showcase Harvard Athletics on the new Ivy League Digital Network,” said Tim Williamson, director of athletic communications, in an interview with GoCrimson.com this July. “With expanded production capabilities, more camera angles, better replays, and high definition quality, this partnership will allow us to enhance the access of our fans, alumni, student body, and overall Harvard community to our athletic program.”

—Staff writer David P. Freed can be reached at david.freed@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @CrimsonDPFreed.

—Staff writer Michael D. Ledecky can be reached at michael.ledecky@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @MDLedecky.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

CORRECTION: Sept. 11, 2013

This headline of this article and statements within the story incorrectly stated that the Ivy League Digital Network is slated to launch this coming weekend. In fact, the network launched this past weekend.