Newton Media hired to assist in launch of new sports network

Liberty University has hired Newton Media to assist in the launch of Liberty Flames Sports Network, a new national TV and radio network to showcase live Liberty University sporting events. LFSN will be offered for a September 2013 launch to broadcast stations in every market, to regional cable networks, and to national satellite platforms. The program lineup will feature live football, basketball, and baseball games, as well as other sporting events, occasionally, on a tape-delayed basis. LFSN will also feature “College Sports Desk,” a 30-minute daily program including news and highlights from universities across the country, including other Christian institutions.

Chancellor and President Jerry Falwell, Jr. noted, “As Liberty has gained national prominence as an institution dedicated to a strong evangelical mission, this new network will increase our exposure to an entirely new audience. Athletics have always been important here at the world’s largest Christian university, so this is a natural extension for us.”

The New York Times recently featured Liberty University football, showing the school’s rise to national recognition: “At Liberty, once a tiny Bible college but now a budding giant, the plan is for college football — big-time, always-on-television college football — to do for evangelical Christians in the 21st century what Notre Dame football did for Roman Catholics in the 20th.” (Nov. 11, 2012)

Dr. Norman Mintle, dean of the School of Communication, said LFSN will not only provide Liberty with exciting national programming opportunities, “it will add great value to the television and radio affiliates’ weekend schedule. To attract a dynamic male audience, we expect, will be a tremendous asset to our network stations.”

For nearly 20 years, Newton Media has created and managed integrated television, radio, print, and interactive media campaigns for DRTV, corporate, and charitable and nonprofit organizations. Newton Media has conducted thousands of media campaigns, purchased hundreds of millions of dollars in media time, and licensed programming to outlets in the U.S. and around the globe. For more information, visit www.newtonmedia.com.

Media note: To learn more about the new Liberty Flames Sports Network, please contact Steve Warnecke, Newton Media, 757-547-5700, swarnecke@newtonmedia.com.