The National Football League (NFL) has signed a deal that allows US viewers to watch the Super Bowl live on the Internet and smartphones, as well as on TV. It's considered the biggest test yet of the potential for audiences beyond traditional television sets.
Under the deal, the game will be broadcast on NBC television as scheduled, but will also stream live on the NFL's own website, as well as on NBCSports.com. The service will be restricted to viewers in the United States. It will work in the same way as an existing arrangement by which NBC shows regular-season games online.
The new agreement covers not just the Super Bowl itself, but also the Pro Bowl (the NFL's All-Star game) and the wild card matches (in which teams that didn't win their respective divisions get an added chance to play in the Super Bowl).
The deal, however, does not include the other playoff games, which are broadcast on rival TV networks. (Source: msnbc.com)
NFL Multi-Screen Viewing Made Possible
The idea isn't necessarily to get people watching online instead of on television sets. Instead, the webcast offers access to additional camera angles, plus instant access to statistics and other interactive tools controlled by the viewer, such as replays. It's designed to appeal to hardcore fans who will be running a laptop while sitting in front of their TV.
During the regular season, the online service attracts about one per cent of the audience that watches on television. It may be difficult to maintain that percentage for the Super Bowl, which traditionally attracts a larger but more casual audience.
No Live Coverage of High-Profile Advertisements
The online broadcast will carry different commercials, though users will be able to access the network TV ads after the game via an on-demand service. The huge audience drawn to the Super Bowl means advertisers traditionally use it to debut eye-catching and creative ads.
In a separate deal, the same games will be available on smartphones, though only to Verizon subscribers, through a dedicated NFL Mobile App that is available for Android and Apple handsets.
The app currently carries a $10 a month subscription charge on ordinary 3G handsets. Customers who use Verizon's high-speed 4G/LTE service can get the app free of charge.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Richmond ready for Super Bowl tourism
RICHMOND, IN (WDTN) - Richmond has been selected by the Indianapolis Super Bowl XLVI Host Committee as a Super Celebration Site.
The 20 sites, selected with the visitor in mind, are natural gathering places which provide opportunities for NFL fans -- residents and visitors -- to get information about the many activities surrounding the Super Bowl, in addition to lodging, dining, shopping, recreational and cultural activities and amenities.
“The Tourism Bureau has been working in conjunction with the Indiana Football Hall of Fame on this project. We’re excited to welcome NFL fans and get them “jazzed up” for the big game in nearby Indy. Our area restaurants, pubs, lodging accommodations, shops and cultural attractions look forward to hosting our Super Bowl visitors and offering Super Celebration activities, such as live music, food & drink specials, games, and other Super Celebration related activities,” explained Mary Walker, Executive Director for the Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau.
Richmond/Wayne County, with its close proximity to Indianapolis, is expected to receive a tremendous economic boost prior to the Super Bowl as NFL fans travel to and from Indy on Interstate 70 and US 40. Many will stay overnight at Richmond’s accommodations, eat at local restaurants, enjoy our area attractions and partake in special Super Bowl-themed activities which are being planned. Residents are also invited to take part in the festivities.
There will be two official Super Celebration welcome areas in the Richmond area: The Old National Road Welcome Center on US 40 and the new Centerville Rest Area on westbound I-70 west of Richmond. Visitor information for Indianapolis, the Super Bowl, and an area Super Celebration schedule will also be available online at http://www.visitrichmond.org/supersite .
Only seven of the Super Celebration Sites are located outside of the Indianapolis metro area: Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Lafayette-West Lafayette, Muncie, Richmond, and Shelbyville. The other sites are specific locations within Indianapolis or communities adjacent to Indy, such as Fountain Square and Carmel.
The 20 sites, selected with the visitor in mind, are natural gathering places which provide opportunities for NFL fans -- residents and visitors -- to get information about the many activities surrounding the Super Bowl, in addition to lodging, dining, shopping, recreational and cultural activities and amenities.
“The Tourism Bureau has been working in conjunction with the Indiana Football Hall of Fame on this project. We’re excited to welcome NFL fans and get them “jazzed up” for the big game in nearby Indy. Our area restaurants, pubs, lodging accommodations, shops and cultural attractions look forward to hosting our Super Bowl visitors and offering Super Celebration activities, such as live music, food & drink specials, games, and other Super Celebration related activities,” explained Mary Walker, Executive Director for the Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau.
Richmond/Wayne County, with its close proximity to Indianapolis, is expected to receive a tremendous economic boost prior to the Super Bowl as NFL fans travel to and from Indy on Interstate 70 and US 40. Many will stay overnight at Richmond’s accommodations, eat at local restaurants, enjoy our area attractions and partake in special Super Bowl-themed activities which are being planned. Residents are also invited to take part in the festivities.
There will be two official Super Celebration welcome areas in the Richmond area: The Old National Road Welcome Center on US 40 and the new Centerville Rest Area on westbound I-70 west of Richmond. Visitor information for Indianapolis, the Super Bowl, and an area Super Celebration schedule will also be available online at http://www.visitrichmond.org/supersite .
Only seven of the Super Celebration Sites are located outside of the Indianapolis metro area: Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Lafayette-West Lafayette, Muncie, Richmond, and Shelbyville. The other sites are specific locations within Indianapolis or communities adjacent to Indy, such as Fountain Square and Carmel.
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