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Will ACC Network launch have limited audience?

Some cable providers may not carry the network, at least initially.
 
Commissioner John Swofford speaks during the Atlantic Coast Conference NCAA college football media day in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Commissioner John Swofford speaks during the Atlantic Coast Conference NCAA college football media day in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Published July 17, 2019|Updated July 17, 2019

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ― To the surprise of no one, the ACC went to great lengths Wednesday to trumpet the Aug. 22 launch of its own network.

Executives with ESPN ― which owns the ACC Network ― were on hand to formally introduce the channel’s on-air football talent, while snippets of programming ― including a trailer of The Bowden Dynasty documentary ― were shown to ballroom full of media members.

“Live events will be backbone of this network,” promised Stacie McCollum, a senior director of programming and acquisitions at ESPN. “But storytelling will be a major tent pole.”

Roughly a month before its debut, however, a burning question remains: How many people will be able to see it?

Related: RELATED: Mark Richt joins the ACC Network

So far, distribution deals have been reached with DirectTV, as well as some national cable providers (such as Verizon Fios) and streaming services (such as Hulu).

But some cable customers likely will be left out in the cold, at least initially. To which ACC commissioner John Swofford offered this advice:

“Contact your carrier if they’re not carrying it, and demand that you want it. It’s a consumer sort of thing.”

“We expect there to be more announcements between now and Aug. 22,” said Rosalyn Durant, ESPN senior vice-president for college networks.

“But fans have been very active lately on social media expressing their interest, asking their distributors if they’re gonna carry the network, demanding the network. That’s good. ... Make your voice heard.”

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.