Disputed line calls no challenge for NBC Sports
NBC Sports coverage of the 2006 US Open Series from the Indianapolis Tennis Center in Indianapolis last weekend included integration of player challenges to line calls and the use of Hawk-Eye electronic line calling technology.
Official replays were provided simultaneously in the broadcast and in-stadium video boards, allowing players, officials, on-site fans and television viewers to see the live results of a player challenge.
“YES Interactive only on DIRECTV” launches MLB interactive telecast
YES Network, DIRECTV and MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) have rolled out "YES Interactive only on DIRECTV," an interactive fan experience being billed as the first of its kind in baseball.
The interactive offering is available as part of New York Yankees telecasts on the YES Network and broadcast by DIRECTV within the Yankees home television territory. It offers viewers true, single-screen interactive Major League Baseball content, including constantly updated statistics, scores, records and other data feeds.
It also includes the Bonus Cam feature during YES telecasts of Yankees home games. The split-screen Bonus Cam will let fans follow their favorite players via an extra camera angle focusing on select players and situations throughout the game.
For more information, visit www.yesnetwork.com.
CSTV, Comcast launch “The mtn.”
CSTV Networks and Comcast have launched The mtn. — MountainWest Sports Network — which will deliver the full action Mountain West Conference athletics beginning Sept. 1.
The mtn. will premiere on Comcast systems in Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, including expanded basic service in the Salt Lake City market, and digital cable service in the Denver, Colorado Springs, and Albuquerque markets.
For more information, visit www.cstv.com and www.comcast.com.
Verizon FiOS TV to offer NFL Network
The NFL Network will be available on Verizon FiOS TV's most popular programming package in time for the 2006 preseason.
Beginning Aug. 1, NFL Network will be found in FiOS TV Premier, the 180-plus channel package selected by most FiOS TV customers. In addition to NFL Network's regular programming, Verizon will carry NFL Network's high-definition feed and NFL Network on Demand. NFL Network previously was part of the FiOS TV Sports package.
For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
FOX Broadcasting inks deal with Teletrax
The FOX Broadcasting Company (FOX) has signed a deal with global TV intelligence service Teletrax under which the company will electronically evaluate usage of its broadcast marketing and promotion material.
Teletrax offers digital video watermarking and content monitoring, providing vital broadcast usage information on a global scale.
FOX will use the Teletrax suite of services to analyze affiliate station use of its promotional video materials. Teletrax will provide FOX with reports detailing how affiliates disseminate and use its content, giving the network a better understanding its affiliates’ needs.
For more information, visit www.teletrax.tv.
WheelsTV offers 16 channels via Internet
WheelsTV, a broadband television network devoted to cars, trucks and motorcycles, has launched the first phase of WheelsTV.net, an Internet automotive community with multiple television channels.
WheelsTV.net is being built in a multi-phased approach by Optaros, an open source software consulting and integration firm.
WheelsTV.net presents car lovers with more than 300 television programs in 16 channel destinations.
For more information, visit www.wheelstv.net and www.optaros.com.
Sportvision car tracking system relies on NovAtel GPS technology
Sportvision’s RACEf/x, which tracks cars traveling in excess of 220 mph during all Indy Racing League (IRL) events to create a complete digital record of the race, relies on Global Positioning System technology from Calgary, Alberta, Canada-based NovAtel, the GPS provider announced.
RACEf/x delivers an array of graphic effects and relevant data, enabling fans to follow the race more easily on television, the Internet and through wireless devices. Inside the IRL cars, Sportvision’s Vector system captures positioning, speed and acceleration/deceleration data using NovAtel’s SPAN (Synchronized Position Attitude Navigation) technology.
For more information, visit www.sportvision.com and www.novatel.com.
Pac-10, FSN deal extends TV, new media rights
The Pac-10 Conference and FSN have reached a multi-year agreement extending its exclusive rights to 18 Pac-10 football games per season and 35 Olympic sports events.
The extension provides FSN national cable and new media rights for football and 35 other events. The agreement grants FSN the right to distribute live and delayed games during an exclusive 30-day window, including exclusive game replays via video-on-demand, wireless, and/or Internet platforms.
The deal also gives FOX College Sports (FCS) the right to carry all games and events FSN televises and the conference’s library of archived football and Olympic events.
