NFHS Offers Pixellots, School Support
July 7, 2020
National Federation of State High School Associations
As high schools nationwide continue to deal with the fallout from COVID-19 and make plans for the restarting of activities this fall, the NFHS Network – the leader in streaming live and on-demand high school sports – has announced an unprecedented offer for schools that are facing possible attendance restrictions at events during the 2020-21 school year.
Through its High School Support Program, the NFHS Network is offering up to two free Pixellot automated-production units for schools that lack production capabilities to stream events on the NFHS Network.
The offer of two Pixellot units – one for indoor events and the other for outdoor contests – has been extended to all 19,500 high schools in the 51 NFHS member state associations. The NFHS Network is a joint venture of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), its member state associations and PlayOn! Sports.
In addition to receiving two free Pixellot production units, schools will receive a larger percentage of subscription revenue generated from their events, effective Aug. 1, in an effort to offset revenue losses from reduced attendance.
“We recognize that the next several years will be challenging for our high schools and state associations,” said Mark Koski, CEO of the NFHS Network. “Many are facing budget cuts and reduced resources, and attendance at athletic and other school events may be restricted. From the NFHS Network’s inception seven years ago, we have been driven by the goal to create a platform that showcases every high school event across every sport and every level of competition. Consistent with this goal, we want the High School Support Program to demonstrate our continued commitment to help our partner schools manage through the inevitable complications created by COVID-19.”
The Pixellot automated production solution was introduced to high schools three years ago and has quickly become an integral component of the NFHS Network’s offerings. The Pixellot solution allows every event to be streamed live without requiring personnel to produce the games. There are currently more than 5,000 Pixellot units in high schools across the country which will produce in excess of 250,000 live games this upcoming school year with no human involvement.
In addition to livestreaming 27 sports, the NFHS Network also covers performing arts, graduations, award ceremonies and other school events. To date, the NFHS Network has distributed more than $25 million back to participating high schools and state associations.
For more information about the High School Support Program, click here. Schools wishing to sign up for free Pixellot units should visit here.
MHSAA Winter Tournaments to Begin Busy Run of Streaming, Radio Broadcasts
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 18, 2021
More than 150 games in the District rounds of the Michigan High School Athletic Association Girls and Boys Basketball Tournaments next week will have live streaming video on the NFHS Network and MHSAA.tv.
Girls Basketball Districts begin Monday, March 22, with Boys Basketball Districts tipping off March 23. Games will be produced by MHSAA member schools participating in the School Broadcast Program, either with traditional student crews or by Pixellot, the NFHS Network’s automated production solution.
The broadcast schedules for the District Semifinals and Finals will be released the day before those rounds. You can always reach a list of the upcoming tournament games to be streamed by Clicking Here.
The MHSAA Finals for Competitive Cheer, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, and Lower Peninsula Boys Swimming & Diving will also be available on the NFHS Network:
► Competitive Cheer is March 26-27 from the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Stacy Smith and Genna Rose will be the broadcasters for the Cheer Finals.
► Gymnastics is March 26 (team) and 27 (individual) from Rockford High School, with Renae Weaver on the call.
► Ice Hockey Semifinals are March 25-26 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, with the Finals on March 27. Joe Jason, Pat Ronayne, and Jeremy Otto will cover the nine games. All nine games also will be available on the MHSAA Radio Network.
► Lower Peninsula Boys Swimming & Diving is March 26 (diving) and 27 (swimming) at Hudsonville High School for Division 1, Jenison High School for Division 2, and Hamilton High School (diving only) and Holland Aquatic Center (swimming only) for Division 3. Announcers Tom Skinner, Phil Johnson, and Gary Ratski are returning to call the action in the pool.
Now in its 13th year, the School Broadcast Program gives members an opportunity to showcase excellence in their schools by creating video programming of athletic and non-athletic events with students gaining skills in announcing, camera operation, directing/producing and graphics. Pixellot – The NFHS Network’s automated streaming solution – is used by schools wishing to live stream games but lacking the ability to staff the events. The program also gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions.
NFHS Network subscriptions begin at $10.99 per month. Subscribers will have access to all live video and on-demand video from across the country. School Broadcast Program participants benefit as a portion of every subscription sold by a school goes to benefit its program.
A complete list of participating schools can be found on the School Broadcast Program page of the MHSAA Website.