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.
Tune In for Spring Tournament Coverage
May 21, 2019
By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
The first three weekends of June will wrap up another school year of MHSAA Tournament action with live audio and video streams on MHSAA.tv and MHSAANetwork.com.
Finals coverage begins June 1 at 10 a.m. (EDT), with live streaming video from the Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula Track & Field Finals on MHSAA.tv. The following Saturday – June 8 – Lacrosse takes center stage, with audio streaming on MHSAANetwork.com joining the video streaming of the Boys & Girls Finals at Howell and Novi.
The third weekend features 28 games over three days in three sports. Audio and video streams of the Baseball and Softball Semifinals and Finals take place June 13-15, with four games each day. The Girls Soccer Finals also will have live audio and video June 14-15, with two games each day. All of the action will originate from Old College Field at Michigan State University.
All can be viewed on MHSAA.tv by purchasing a Month Pass for just $9.95. One subscription allows for three logons and is also good for watching other live high school events on the NFHS Network. The audio streams on MHSAANetwork.com are free. Instant downloads of audio and video files are available on the respective websites.
Select tournament games in Lacrosse and Soccer also will be available from MHSAA members participating in the School Broadcast Program.
Here is the schedule for Spring sporting events to be streamed live on MHSAA.tv for May 21-24:
Tuesday - May 21
Softball - Mattawan at Stevensville Lakeshore - 3:52 PM
Boys Lacrosse Regional - Flint Powers v. Bay City Western - 5 PM
JV Girls Soccer – Temperance Bedford at Saline - 5:30 PM
Girls Soccer – Temperance Bedford at Saline - 7 PM
Boys Lacrosse Regional - Pontiac Notre Dame Prep v. B. Hills Cranbrook Kingswood - 7 PM
Girls Regional Lacrosse – Lake Orion at White Lake Lakeland – 7 PM
Wednesday - May 22
Baseball - Houghton at Negaunee - 4 PM
Girls Soccer District – Wyandotte Roosevelt at Woodhaven - 5 PM
Girls Lacrosse Regional - Royal Oak v. B. Hills Cranbrook Kingswood - 5 PM
Boys Lacrosse Regional - Livonia Stevenson at Novi - 6 PM
Boys Lacrosse – Detroit Cass Tech at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore - 6 PM
Girls Soccer District - Clinton at Manchester - 7 PM
Girls Lacrosse Regional - Vicksburg at E. Grand Rapids - 7 PM
Girls Soccer District – Walled Lake Northern at White Lake Lakeland - 7 PM
Girls Lacrosse Regional - Rochester Hills Stoney Creek v. Warren Regina - 7 PM
Thursday - May 23
Softball - Hancock at Negaunee - 4 PM
Girls Soccer District – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern at Cedar Springs - 6 PM
Friday - May 24
Softball - Portage Central at Stevensville Lakeshore - 3:55 PM
Girls Soccer District – Battle Creek Pennfield at Plainwell - 5:45 PM
In its 10th 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 events. The SBP also gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions.
NFHS Network subscriptions begin at $9.95 a month. Subscribers will have access to all live video and streaming statistics across the country. All content becomes available for free, on-demand viewing 72 hours after being shown live. School Broadcast Program participants also are selling Season and Annual Passes at a discounted rate. 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.