ESPN (US)and the Atlantic Coast Conference reached a long-term agreement that will lead tothe launch of the ACC Network by August 2019, espn.go.com reported July 19, citingsources in the league.

The ACC Network's digital channel is expected to launch thisfall.

The 20-year deal between the parties will also give the majority-owned networkrights to conference games through the 2035-2036 academic year, according to thereport.

The conference grant of rights reportedly ensures that a school'smedia rights for all home games will stay with the ACC irrespective of the school'saffiliation.