POCATELLO — Live-streamed Idaho State University sports are being aired on big-screen TVs at local bars and restaurants throughout Pocatello. The Big Sky Conference clinched a deal to stream college sports on Pluto TV for free — including ISU football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball — and it’s a “win-win” for everyone involved.

“At Pluto TV we create unique, interest-based channels that connect with passionate communities,” said Tom Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Pluto. “By partnering with Big Sky Conference, we’re able to draw live college sports fans and provide them, for the first time, a free way to watch their favorite teams on big screen TVs.”

John Young, director of ISU Sports Broadcasting in the Department of Communication, Media & Persuasion, is in charge of broadcasting the home games for the live webcast and getting local businesses on board to air the games. A longtime Pocatello resident, Young is a former newscaster for KPVI and owner of an advertising agency/video production company. His past experience and enthusiasm for ISU sports makes him a perfect fit for the job.

Young works with a team of up to 18 ISU students, most of whom are studying broadcast journalism or computer engineering, to pull off the home game broadcasts, which is no easy task.

“This opportunity is becoming very popular with the students,” Young said. “It gives them real world experience running the computer and video equipment, troubleshooting and producing a quality live broadcast. We’re also responsible for providing courtside replay if there’s any questions on the calls. It’s a sophisticated production that can get very stressful sometimes.”

He added, “I’ve been so impressed with the caliber of students that I’ve worked with; they do a superb job. Of course, we eventually lose the experienced students to graduation so we’re continually training and monitoring the ability level of new students.”

Young has personally called on local bar and restaurant owners to sell them on the idea of broadcasting the games. He helps them get their TVs set up on Pluto while encouraging the staff to stay on top of the game schedules and to get excited about ISU sports.

“Pluto can be downloaded on any TV that has Netflix using a device like a Roku or Fire TV Stick. I’ll work with the staff to show them how to do it. I want to make it easy for them,” he said.

Goody’s Deli, on the ISU campus, was the first business in town to join Young in his quest to broadcast and promote the live games.

“When the ISU games are on, I’ll stay here all night to watch,” said Goody’s customer and ISU student Tazie Hobbs.

Corey Wight, owner of The Sand Trap bar and grill, was also quick to start streaming the games.

“Football was extremely popular. We had people calling in advance to make game day reservations,” he said. “It’s good for business. I will start showing all the ISU games, especially if my customers request it. ISU will get priority on the TV.”

While there was a lot of excitement around football last year, Young said it’s his mission to get people just as excited about watching men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball. He will continue to work with local businesses to promote ISU sports with hopes of eventually adding soccer, softball and track & field events to the program.

“I’m thrilled to be part of ISU’s new athletic program. I love being the face of these local broadcasts. I want people to know how awesome it is here and to experience the dynamic energy of the university that’s right here in our community,” he said. “My vision is for people to get used to coming out whenever there’s an ISU game, of any kind, on.”