Twitter to live-stream sporting events from US universities

In a quest to become a leading live-streaming service, micro-blogging website Twitter has signed a new partnership with Pac-12 universities that will bring live events to its social network.

Twitter and Pac-12 Networks -- a US sports-oriented digital cable and satellite television network that is owned by the Pac-12 Conference -- are teaming up to stream more than 150 university sporting events during the 2016-2017 season, Tech Crunch reported on Friday.

The Pac-12 Conference is a collegiate athletic conference that operates in the western US.

"Twitter is the fastest way to find out what is happening in live sports. Our partnership with the Pac-12 Networks will give sports fans a great way to view live sporting events along with the live Twitter conversation they are already accustomed to," Anthony Noto, Twitter CFO was quoted as saying.

According to Pac-12 Networks, Twitter will be its premier streaming partner for "Pac-12 Plus" -- a broadband network of live events produced by the conference's 12 universities. This will include at least 150 games, however, the final roster has not yet been determined.

According to Pac-12, it will include Olympic sports such as soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, baseball, ice hockey, swimming and diving, softball, track and field, wrestling, lacrosse, tennis, and water polo, the report noted

The events will also continue be streamed on university official athletic sites and Pac-12.com.

Twitter recently signed a deal with the US television network CBS to stream both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions later this month.

The Republican National Convention is set for July 18-21 in Cleveland, Ohio, while the Democratic National Convention is set for July 25-28 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Last week, Twitter streamed live Wimbledon coverage. Twitter is also in talks with the NBA, Major League Soccer (MLS) and Turner for more streaming rights.

--IANS

sku/na/dg