College students need some down time, even Ivy Leaguers.
Whether you are a senior or a freshman, the constant back and forth of a college school year can be stressful. For those of us who know what college is like, detoxing is key, and sports can be the perfect get away.
In order to bring Ivy League athletics to students, the Ivy League announced some improvements to their Ivy League Digital Network (ILDN) for the 2016-17 year, highlighted by the inclusion of Apple TV and Roku.
So for those of you who do not know what the ILDN is, here’s a little summary. The ILDN is a nine-channel network that is the home to over thirty sports, as well as on-demand content from every institution.
The League’s schools – Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton and Yale – are synonymous with academic excellence, but the ILDN’s expansion via their updgaded application plans to bring exposure to the nation’s most prestigious league.
“The first three years of the Ivy League Digital Network have been incredibly successful in showcasing the strengths of the League’s model of intercollegiate athletics,” said Ivy League Executive Director, Robin Harris. “We know it is important to give our fans as many viewing options as possible. To that end, we are excited to announce these enhancements to ILDN and to partner with NeuLion to launch the ILDN app on Apple TV and Roku.”
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The development of the ILDN app will serve as many fans across the platform as possible, and with the inclusion of its new big-hitters, (Apple TV and Roku), the future is in sight.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with the Ivy League by offering fans the ability to watch great live and on-demand video content on Roku and Apple TV devices.” said Tim Vargas, Senior Vice President of NeuLion. “Fans’ natural tendencies are to watch video, especially live video, on the largest device available. By providing over-the-top apps, Ivy League fans will now be able to enjoy a big screen television experience.”
Along with the ILDN app, subscribers will experience a revamped video graphics package. Live event production will be enhanced through a custom-designed package that will make live and on-demand content able to be found efficiently.
The Ivy League will also continue its relationship with ESPN, adding select ILDN broadcasts to ESPN3 and the ESPN app. This is the third year the two have been working together in operations, pushing contests and events.
With over 8,000 student-athletes participating each year and more than 35 varsity teams at each school, the Ivy League has the highest number of intercollegiate athletic opportunities per school; more than any other conferences across the NCAA.
Sitting on the highest perched pedestal in the NCAA, Ivy League schools need exposure outside of the classroom and the Ivy League Digital Network hopes to do just that.