Sinclair Broadcast Group announced it has launched the American Sports Network, a collegiate sports initiative to be aired on a number of Sinclair's broadcast TV stations. The company has entered into rights agreements with several NCAA conferences, including Conference USA, the Colonial Athletic Association, Big South, Southern Conference and Patriot League. Beginning with the start of college football season, Sinclair will premiere a slate of live, local sporting events, including football, basketball, soccer, and other sports. ASN's initial launch will include over 50 colleges and will be broadcast in different regions of the country. Stations will carry the games and original content either as part of the primary program line-up or as part of second channels, complimented by access and distribution on digital platforms (Sinclair). In Baltimore, Ryan Sharrow noted Sinclair's move comes as programmers "search for more ways to air more live sporting events, which can command high advertising prices and help drive ratings." ASN "will be led" by Sinclair VP & COO Doron Gorshein, who joined the company in January. Sinclair is the "largest owner of TV stations in the country," and its networks will "reach roughly" 39% of U.S. TV households (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/17).
