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Streaming Stanley Cup Playoff App a Big Hit for NBC Sports

June 19, 2013 by

stanim

For the first time the ability to watch all of the Stanley Cup playoff games live from a variety of mobile devices as well as computers has been warmly greeted by fans according to the early numbers released by NBC. Over 40 million minutes have been streamed through the first three rounds.

While in the past there has been some streaming, with 12 games shown last year, viewership is up 289% compared to last year and 1,198% from 2011, when the league showed only 8 games while this year so far there has been 76 streamed games, not counting the finals.

The games are available on NBC Sports Live Extra, a live streaming product from the NBC Sports Group that supports not only desktop and notebook computers but also mobile devices and tablets for the first time.

The first two years that the network streamed games it was only available on computers and still the numbers showed strong growth, going from 3,126,562 in 2011 to 10,427,216 in 2012 and leaping to 26,296,641 so far this year.

However this year is the first where users can also load the games on mobile devices, and they have accounted for more minutes than the first two PC years combined at 14,293,950. The games air on NBC, NBC Sports Network, and CNBC

So far the two most popular games have been the Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final double overtime win by the Boston Bruins over the Pittsburgh Penguins with 2.59 million minutes and the Game 5 of the Western Conference Final where the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Los Angeles Kings, 4-3, in double overtime to clinch their spot in the finals. 2.58 million minutes were streamed for that event.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Filed Under: Android, Apple, Apps, iPad, iTunes, Live sports via mobile, Live Sports Video Consumption, NBC Sports, NHL, Smartphone, Stanley Cup, Tablets Tagged With: , , ,

49ers Embrace Social Media In Deal With Yahoo

June 18, 2013 by

yahoofan

Have you ever dreamed of seeing your name, or at least your picture, up in lights for all to see? Well for 49er fans, and I guess any fan that attends games at the new 49er Levi’s Stadium that has become a possibility due to a deal between the team and Yahoo.

Yahoo has signed on with the team as the team and stadium’s “exclusive online sports content, social networking, and photo and video sharing partner” which is quite a mouthful. The terms of the 10 year deal have not been announced, or even reliably leaked.

Part of the deal will enable fans to appear on the big screen, that is the stadium big screen. Fans that take photos can upload them to Flikr during the game, which just happens to be a Yahoo property, and there is the possibility that they will be displayed on the big screen.

Fans can use specific booths that will be situated around the stadium’s concourse to upload the photos into the 49ers Flikr photo gallery, from which selections will be displayed at the game. Yahoo will also have the ability to tout its Yahoo Sports Fantasy Football.

The deal enables the company to name the lounge in the stadium’s suites and its adjacent viewing platforms the Fantasy Football Lounge. But the deal is more than just static naming- the 49ers said that they intend to integrate Yahoo and its properties into its broadcast and digital media.

It is not surprising that the 49ers have gone out and signed a deal with a major Internet player; expect to see this as the trend of the future as fans increasingly use smartphones and tablets to upload imagery and comments from sporting events, a trend that has been growing at a tremendous rate for the past few years.

With the increased adoption of social media at stadiums will also come the increasing need for better networking and communications technology. Anybody that has tried to get online at a sporting event knows the long delays that can entail, even when the mobile device shows that the signal is strong.

MLB has already signed a deal with Qualcomm to develop and implement a fan to help solve this issue. The San Francisco Giants, which planned for these issues from the start of AT&T Park, have still had to continually upgrade the stadiums’ capacity as users’ demands increased.

Filed Under: Apps, AT&T, Baseball, Major League Baseball, San Francisco Giants, Social Media, Social Media Data, Sports Social Media, Wi-Fi, Yahoo Tagged With: , , , , , ,

ESPN Scores Record Viewership for College Baseball Post Season

June 17, 2013 by

cws2

ESPN reports that the Regional and super Regional games that are the lead in to the College World Series had record viewership on its family of channels and that it expects to see strong viewership up to the conclusion that will take place in Omaha with prime-time telecasts of the best-of-three Finals on Monday, June 24, through Wednesday, June 26.

The network broadcast all of the games in both rounds in a series of 22 telecasts across three of its channels and averaged 404,000 viewers for a total of over 30,000,000 viewers by the end of the Super Regionals. Not surprising is that as the later rounds gained viewership, with the Super Regional games averaging 680,000 viewers. The games were broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU.

Over the past few years ESPN has been increasing the number of regular season games that it has broadcast college baseball season includes more than 270 regular-season and conference tournament games and every NCAA Division I Baseball Championship contest for the first time. It expanded its coverage of the playoffs from six sites where games were played to all 16 regional sites.

There is no doubt that the increased coverage has led to increased viewership in my opinion. I suspect that it is also helped by the NCAA’s mobile app that allows you to track the games, but which does not broadcast the games, so encouraging fans to tune in.

In the past I have not watched that much of the games that lead up to the College World Series and probably even fewer of the games of the actual series. I suspect that I have actually seen more Little League World Series games if push came to shove.

I imagine that in part this was because it just did not come across my sports radar that often and also simply the lack of access to games on TV. Hopefully ESPN will start making games available via mobile apps and online for fans that cannot get to a television to watch their favorite team.

Filed Under: Apps, Baseball, ESPN, Live sports via mobile, Live Sports Video Consumption Tagged With: , , ,

Friday Grab Bag: An Apple Phablet in the Works?

June 14, 2013 by

ESPN to kill 3d channel
If you are pondering a new flat screen and were thinking that 3D might be nice because eof the in your face action that sports provide you might want to have a second thought as ESPN, probably the greatest advocate for 3D sports, has said that it is killing its 3D channel by years end.

The channel went live in 2010 is dying due to lack of interest according to the sports giant, as reported by The Verge. The company said that low adoption of 3D was a leading cause but that it will be looking at other forms of enhanced broadcasting such as Ultra High Definition television. So maybe look for one of those televisions.

Electronic Arts delivers FIFA 14 for everybody- but one.
Fans of soccer will be happy to learn that EA has announced FIFA 14, the latest in its franchise soccer program and it will support about everybody, PCs, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 but oddly one platform it was on previously, the Wii, is absent.

Depending on the day you looked the reason is that either Wii U does not support the Frostbite engine or that the release of the previous version of the game, FIFA 13, did very poorly. EA has backed down from saying that it will not be developing for Wii, so at least there is some good news here.

Apple to offer two different size iPhones?
Cnet is reporting that it now looks like Apple will be taking a page from Samsung’s book by offering smartphones in multiple screen sizes. According to multiple reports the next generation iPhones will be available in a 4.7-inch model as well as a 5.7-inch model.

The 5.7-inch model would be Apple’s first venture into the phablet market, one that seems to be increasingly popular as the device can double for a small tablet as well as a phone. It has also been reported that Apple is looking at offering it in multiple colors.

New Android flaw discovered
If imitation is the highest form of flattery then Windows has been flattered by the latest Android Trojan which is taking a page from malwar that has plagued Microsoft’s operating system for some time, although Android device users might not appreciate the effort.

A recently discovered Trojan that has been named Backdoor AndroidOS Obad.a by Kapersky Labs enables remote users to issue commands on an infected device and has the ability to evade detection, according to piece in Computerworld Singapore.

Look out Apple and Samsung- here comes Microsoft
Microsoft was a late player in the tablet game but has been working hard to make up ground. Its latest move is to highlight its products, including non-tablet ones at Best Buy stores with dedicated sections, much as its rivals do.

The Windows Stores, they will average between 1,500 to 2,200 square feet and will include not only Surface tablets but also a host of other Microsoft products including phones, PCs and Xbox products, according to SlashGear.


Beer App upgrade in time for Fathers Day
The beer app SaveonBrew has just been upgraded so if you are looking for a deal on the latest six pack of lager or hoping to find a place within driving distance that sells Pliny the Elder this could be the app for you.

It features more than 50,000 retail outlets covering as many as 300,000 beer specials that you can use by simply applying you zip code. Its web site also has some handy information such as a list of hangover cures.

Filed Under: Android, Apple, Apps, EA Sports, ESPN, FIFA, iOS, iPhone, Microsoft, Samsung, Smartphone, Soccer, Surface, Tablets, Windows 8 Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Jets Executive Talks about Importance of Mobile App in Connecting to Fans

June 13, 2013 by

jets

A New York Jets executive took the stage at the annual Multiscreen Summit which concluded yesterday in New York City and discussed the importance of mobile apps and a strong social media presence are vital to keep fans engaged both at the stadium and away regardless of how the team does on the field.

Paul Marsh, director of app development for the New York Jets comments came during the two days of discussion at the conference that focuses on a range of marketing and advertising challenges and opportunities as well as how to engage and hold customers in a range of areas, including sports.

According to Mobile Marketer, Marsh focused his comments on the importance of in stadium and out of stadium experience its growing importance during his part of the “Fireside Chat: Location, location, location” panel segment of the show.

He talked up the Jets mobile app, and how important that is to the team both in and out of the stadium. The social hooks in the app are very important he said because it allows fans to communicate with each other and to share content. The Jets are looking at enhancing the app in the future so that fans can better communicate with the team and the team can follow fans activities in the stadium and so customize service to better meet fans’ needs going forward.

MLB has been working for some time to develop apps that do this and now offer a variety of different features including in some stadiums the ability to order food at your seats with an app or to move down to better seats. The NFL as a whole has seemed to miss out on connecting with fans in this way and until I read the article in Mobile Marketer I was unaware that the Jets had a personalized app. I spend a fair amount of time on the NFL main page and it would have been nice if they pointed this out.

The conference as a whole looked very interesting with a list of presenters that ranged from Google, Mozilla, Rovio Entertainment, Microsoft, PayPal, MasterCard and Michael Bayle, the former general manager of Mobile for ESPN.

I was a bit surprised at the lack of additional sports executives at the event since it’s obviously a massive viewing and advertising platform in America, just among the big three of NFL, MLB and NBA, not counting events such as BCS games, March Madness and the College World Series.

Filed Under: Apps, Baseball, Live sports via mobile, NCAA Football, NCAA.com, NFL, NFL Mobile, Sports Social Media Tagged With: , ,

Watching Golf this Week: The U.S. Open, Philly Style

June 12, 2013 by

US Open MerionAre you ready for 2013 Major No. 2? The big daddy of them all? I truly can’t wait for this one to start, because I feel like we all sorta got cheated at the Masters. I mean — lost in the hubbub of the Tiger Drop Crisis was the fact that the dude was just about ready to take the lead and start stomping everyone.

And then the ball hit the pole. And went into the drink. And then the wheels came off.

As play starts today outside Philadelphia at the quirky old Merion East course (Anyone else think the logo featuring the pole-baskets looks like a freaking bloody Q-tip?) all eyes rightfully will be on Tiger Woods, and his quest for Major No. 15. Nobody else really matters right now, and nobody this year is truly playing at his level. But one thing is for sure, the “new” Tiger isn’t anything like the old — over the last year or so he has shown a tendancy to choke on the weekends at majors, something he never did before. And the rest of the guys playing? They’ve gotten better.

What does that mean for Tiger? It means his margin of error is much slimmer than it was when he was the only guy on the tour who looked like an athlete. Now there’s lots of them. He used to be by far the farthest hitter, now he’s about top average. There are new foreign foes like Graeme McDowell, who aren’t going to be intimidated by Tiger the way the U.S. Tour guys used to be. With its tight layout and wet conditions Merion is probably going to be a birdie fest, so no more rope-a-dope par fests like last year at Olympic. There’s going to be room to make shots here, so let’s get it on. Having just watched the Blackhawks beat the Bruins in triple overtime in the Stanley Cup opener, I’m ready for more drama and lore. Don’t let us down, Tiger. Or whoever wants to keep Tiger’s majorless streak going.

ESPN has your live TV Thursday and Friday, our suggestion is mute when Berman starts talking, unmute when Van Pelt has the mike. NBC gets the weekend, with lots of online viewing available at USOpen.com or via the U.S. Open app, which beats pants off the PGA Tour app (which still doesn’t really work on all Android phones). WatchESPN and ESPNRadio also available online.

THE U.S. OPEN

(all times Eastern)
TV COVERAGE
Thursday, June 13 — ESPN, 9 a.m. — 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. — 7 p.m.; NBC, 3 p.m. — 5 p.m.
Friday, June 14 — ESPN, 9 a.m. — 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. — 7 p.m.; NBC, 3 p.m. — 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 15 — NBC, 1 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 16 — NBC, 1 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.

RADIO
SIRIUS XM (Satellite)
12 p.m. — 4 p.m., Thursday; 12 p.m. — 5 p.m, Friday. The live broadcasts are also available to subscribers on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App and online at SiriusXM.com.

ESPN RADIO
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 p.m. — 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

NEW! PGA TOUR RADIO!
This a better deal for those not living in the U.S., because it’s free internationally. Inside the U.S. you will pay (due to rights fees) $1.99 per event or $9.99 for the whole year. Gives you the CBS feed, audio version. Click here for more info and payment plans for your area.

ONLINE
The U.S. Open site at USOpen.com has live online coverage with featured groups.
Thursday groups:
7:11 a.m. – Marquee Group 1 (Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, Keegan Bradley)
1:14 p.m. – Marquee Group 2 (Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott)
Friday groups:
7:44 a.m. – Marquee Group 1 (Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott)
12:41 p.m. – Marquee Group 2 (Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, Keegan Bradley)

Featured groups on the weekend, TBD.

There are also mobile apps for iOS and Android.

FACEBOOK PAGE
Here’s the USGA Facebook page.

TOP TWITTER FEEDS TO FOLLOW

The U.S. Open Twitter feed.
Geoff Shackelford — well known golf writer. If you’re not following Geoff you are missing the online boat.
Golf Channel — official Golf Channel feed
@PGATOUR — official PGA Twitter feed
@StephanieWei — great golf writer who is a Twitter fiend. Now leading the Wei (hah!) with Google+ Hangouts during most tourneys.
Doug Ferguson is the lead golf writer for AP. Good Twitter insights that often aren’t part of your wire-service lead.
Matt Ginella is a former Golf Digest writer now at Golf Channel. Your guide to the best golf course reviews, evar. Plus great columnist-type commentary on a regular basis.

WHAT’S THE COURSE LIKE?
If you haven’t heard about good old Merion and the baskets on the flagpoles you’ve been under a rock the past week. Here’s a great lengthy takeout on Merion’s East Course from the folks at SBNation.

WHO WON THIS THING LAST YEAR?
The Birdman! Excuse me, it was Webb Simpson, with an assist from Jim Furyk.

Filed Under: Apps, ESPN, ESPN Radio, Golf, PGA, Tiger Woods, US Open, WatchESPN, WatchESPN Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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