• by Wayne Friedman , July 17, 2014

Looking to boost its efforts for local, live programming, the big Sinclair Broadcast Group has started a college sports focused channel — American Sports Network — as part of an effort to launch new cable networks and digital platforms.

The network has agreements with 50 colleges/universities in NCAA Division I conferences, including Conference USA, the Colonial Athletic Association, Big South Conference, Southern Conference, and Patriot League.  The content will run mostly on Sinclair’s CW and MyNet affiliates.

Sports will include football, basketball, soccer and other sports and will start with this year's college football season. Doron Gorshein, chief operating officer of Sinclair Networks, a division of Sinclair Broadcast Group, who joined the Company in January 2014, will head the effort.

Sinclair says company plans may include potential development of new cable networks and digital platforms.
"This is another example of our foray into the content creation business," stated David Smith, president/chief executive officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group. "The launch of ASN will provide important and valuable content that is directed at serving our local communities, while improving the value of our CW and MyNet affiliates.”

Gorshein added the company could "offer expanded distribution through our broadcast platforms."

Previously, Gorshein woked at EchoStar Communications/Dish Network and Turner Broadcasting. He was also the founder of the Association of Independent Programming Networks and The America Channel in 2003.

The Baltimore-based Sinclair reaches, owns or operates around 170 stations (pending proposed transactions) reach 38.9% of U.S. television households.

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