Big Sky Conference To Offer Full Catalog of Live-Streamed Events on Pluto TV

The 24/7 internet service will carry 700+ events in the 2017-18 academic year

For a mid-major conference, media-distribution partnerships are critical to its exposure and to enhancing engagement with alumni, family and friends of current student-athletes, and potential recruits. This week, the Big Sky Conference made the bold move of making its complete catalog of live-streaming events (comprising more than 700 games) available on internet service Pluto TV.

Through the partnership, Big Sky becomes the first mid-major conference with a dedicated 24/7 channel, thanks to Pluto TV’s linear-style OTT service.

“With the changing media landscape and the rise of cord-cutting, it’s important that the Big Sky adapt in order to allow our fans to stay connected to us,” says conference Commissioner Andrea Williams. “With our new partnership with Pluto TV, Big Sky fans can have access to video content at home or on their mobile device. As long as you have an internet connection, you’ll have Big Sky Conference content.”

Viewers will be able to access the Big Sky’s content on channel 230 of the Pluto TV app, which is available on most major connected devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation, or Xbox. The app is also available on some smart TVs, such as selected Samsung, Vizio, Sony, and Hisense models.

A completely free internet television-streaming service, Pluto TV boasts more than 6 million monthly active users. The company recently hired Robert Magdlen, former SVP, program strategy and acquisitions, E!, to serve as chief programming officer. It will present a unique programming opportunity for the conference office and the member institutions of the Big Sky.

“At Pluto TV, we create unique, interest-based channels that connect with passionate communities,” says CEO/co-founder Tom Ryan. “By partnering with Big Sky Conference, we’re able to draw in college-sports fans and provide them, for the first time, a free way to watch their favorite teams’ live games at home on their big-screen TVs.”

In addition, the Big Sky has also struck a deal with Eleven Sports in which the network will broadcast one football game of the week as well as one men’s basketball game of the week beginning this fall. According to the announcement, Eleven Sports will also broadcast the quarterfinals and semifinals of the men’s basketball championship as well as the women’s basketball semifinals and championship game. The conference’s women’s soccer, volleyball and softball semifinals and championship games will also be televised on Eleven Sports.