The Pac-12 on Thursday announced a series of changes to its football broadcasts designed to enhance the viewing experience.
All games on ESPN, Fox and the Pac-12 Networks will now feature the following, according to the conference:
— In-game head coach interviews.
— Pre-game and halftime locker room camera access.
— Coaches and select student-athletes wired on-field pre-game.
— Cameras in the coaches’ booth without sound.
— Extended handheld camera permission.
The changes were approved by the Pac-12 presidents and have the support of the football coaches.
“ESPN is constantly exploring creative ways to entertain, engage and inform our viewers, and the access provided by the Pac-12 is a fantastic opportunity to do just that,” said Lee Fitting, ESPN’s senior vice president for production.
“Delivering success with these types of innovations on other properties across ESPN platforms, we’re excited to enhance our college football productions and truly appreciate our partners at the Pac-12 for taking this step.”
The push toward in-game access began last year, when the Pac-12 Networks aired what it called “mic’d-up content for non-live use” featuring three coaches: Arizona’s Jedd Fisch, Cal’s Justin Wilcox and Oregon’s Dan Lanning.
Many of the features set for the 2023 season mirror the broadcast innovations implemented by the XFL, and other professional leagues have in-game interviews, including the MLB.
In that regard, college football has been slow to respond to broader trends in sports media — all aimed at deepening the connection with fans.
The Pac-12 is the first conference to commit to the enhanced in-game access, although the Big 12 is considering similar moves.
“The Pac-12 is committed to delivering unprecedented access and entertainment to our fans throughout our football broadcasts, and to working with our media partners to be on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Merton Hanks, the Pac-12’s associate commissioner for football operations.
More changes could be coming. The Pac-12 is working with the NCAA on “additional opportunities to provide access during football games.”
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Jon Wilner
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