Horizon League Network FAQ
Dec. 21, 2006
What is the Horizon League Network?
Launched in October 2006, the Horizon League Network is a comprehensive conference-wide broadband initiative designed to provide coverage of the League's member institutions' athletic programs to fans, parents, alumni, boosters, current and prospective student-athletes, the general public and the media with quality live game web casts and other compelling video on-demand (VoD) programming.
Why did the Horizon League launch HLN?
As a continuation of a broadband package that debuted during the 2005-06 basketball season, the Horizon League Network allows the League and its member institutions to video stream more than 200 live events, exponentially increasing the number of men's and women's basketball games available and providing coverage of other sports that have traditionally received little, if any, coverage by traditional media. In addition, games can be played at the time of the host school's choosing, instead of being moved to accommodate a possibly less-than-desirable traditional television "window."
What is available on HLN?
During its inaugural year in 2006-07, the Horizon League Network will feature ...
Live coverage of ...
•More than 140 Horizon League regular-season men's and women's basketball conference games
•First- and second-round games of the 2007 Horizon League men's basketball championship
•First-round, quarterfinal and semifinal games of the 2007 Horizon League women's basketball championship
•All matches of the 2006 Horizon League volleyball championship
On-demand access to ...
•Archives of Horizon League men's and women's basketball regular-season and tournament games and volleyball championship matches
•Replays of additional selected team sport championship games
•Highlights of all 19 Horizon League postseason championships
Additional features ...
• "The Horizon League Report", a look at the week past and the week ahead in Horizon League sports
•Other special coverage of teams, events and personalities around the Horizon League
Who can access HLN programming?
Anyone with a broadband internet connection can access all HLN content anywhere in the world. (A broadband connection means that you have a DSL connection, a cable modem, or a LAN connection to a T1 line (or greater). You can get these connections by contacting your ISP ("Internet Service Provider"), your local telephone company, or your local cable provider.) The only software needed is Windows Media Player, which is a free download available for PC and Mac. First-time visitors to HLN will be required to register and choose a password for subsequent access.
How do I access HLN?
To access Horizon League Network content, just log onto the League's newly re-designed official web site at www.horizonleague.org and click on the HLN video player or the adjacent schedule of upcoming games and current on-demand features and archives. Links also are available in the on-line composite schedules for various sports.
What does it cost?
Nothing. One of the key aspects of HLN is that all programming is available free to anyone with a broadband internet connection. There are no per-game, monthly or annual subscription fees, nor are there any "premium" service fees. Just click on the game or feature of your choice, and enjoy!
What are the quality standards for HLN programming?
All men's and women's basketball regular-season and tournament games streamed on the Horizon League Network feature a minimum three-camera shoot with audio play-by-play. Games with pre-existing radio calls include the feed from the home radio announcers, and audio specific to the web cast is added to all other games. (Standards for other sports are currently being developed.)
Is there a way to make the screen larger?
Yes, If you're using a Windows PC, simply right click with your mouse (or double-left click)on the video screen, and select "zoom" to enlarge the picture to full screen mode. Note that some digitization of the image may occur in larger formats.
Can I record programming on HLN?
Yes. However, all HLN programming is property of the Horizon League and is for personal viewing only. It may not be copied, edited or posted to another web site without express written permission of the Horizon League.
Is there a way to skip ahead/back?
Yes. If you're watching the video on demand, you can shuttle the position marker in Windows Media Player to the approximate position that you want to view, and press the play button. The position and nature of this position marker may vary depending on your version of Windows Media Player.
Is my registration information kept private?
Your registration information will be used only by the Horizon League office and favorite school's athletic department - as indicated in the initial registration -- to contact you regarding upcoming events and other campus opportunities. Your information will never be made available to any outside companies or associations.
What can I do to support HLN?
You can support the Horizon League Network's coverage of Horizon League institutions, teams and student-athletes by supporting the universities' athletic departments through attendance at games and other events, and by your membership in their respective booster organizations. And, perhaps as importantly, you can tell friends, family, neighbors and colleagues about the exciting free, live games and other quality programming available only through HLN.For more information regarding HLN programming, contact Will Roleson, Associate Commissioner for Communications and Multimedia; for marketing partnerships opportunities only, contact Jordan Suchar of Nelligan Sports Marketing. Or call the Horizon League office at (317) 237-5622.
