FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 21st, 2016

BYTES: NBC SPORTS DIGITAL HITS STREAMING MILESTONES FOR PREMIER LEAGUE & NHL

NBC SPORTS DIGITAL “BYTES”

October 21, 2016 – Vol. 95

NBC Sports Digital “Bytes” is a collection of highlights, information and metrics for NBC Sports Digital properties. Previous editions can be found on NBCSportsGroupPressbox.com.

NBC Sports Digital Hits Streaming Milestones for NHL & Premier League

Monday’s Liverpool v. Manchester United match, a 0-0 draw between the two rivals, ranks as NBC Sports Group’s most-streamed match ever. The match, played on a Monday, delivered 10.3 million minutes, up 23% from the previous record-holder (Chelsea v. Tottenham, 5/2/16).

In addition, the live stream of NHL season opener on Wednesday, Oct. 12, between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks, delivered 3.6 million live minutes to rank as the second-best NHL regular-season game behind last year’s season opener (Ranger vs. Blackhawks, 3.7 million, 10/7/15).

Yahoo Sports – NBC Sports Network Ranks Second Among Sports Site In Total Minutes And Average Minute Audience In September

The kickoff of the 2016 NFL season, and continuing NASCAR and Premier League coverage contributed to the Yahoo Sports – NBC Sports Network delivering 5.2 billion minutes and an average minute audience (AMA) of 119.6 million in September, ranking No. 2 across the Sports category in both metrics. The digital alliance has ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the advertiser-coveted minutes category for 14 consecutive months.

Notre Dame Football In Next VR Virtual Reality

NextVR, the leader in broadcasting live events in virtual reality, in association with the University of Notre Dame and NBC Sports Group, presented several virtual reality features from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s matchup with the Stanford Cardinal last week.

Multiple NextVR virtual reality cameras were placed around the field at Notre Dame Stadium to provide viewers with different angles and vantage points, and transport fans onto the sidelines and into the action.

As part of the coverage, NextVR released several highlight packages in virtual reality, throughout the game. The highlight packages are hosted by Notre Dame Football alumnus, Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Tim Brown, and feature audio from Notre Dame Football on NBC commentators Dan HicksDoug Flutie and Kathryn Tappen.

In addition to highlights from the game, fans can access virtual reality game day experiences including tailgating, the Notre Dame player walk to Notre Dame Stadium, and other pre-game festivities, all of which will be available on-demand in mid-November.

How to Experience Notre Dame Football Highlights in Virtual Reality

Fans can download the virtual reality experience of the Stanford – Notre Dame game on the free NextVR platform for Samsung Gear VR, which is available in the Oculus Home app store. Check the NBC Sports channel on NextVR for game highlights and additional feature experiences. For more detailed instructions, go to http://www.NextVR.com/GetVR.

CSN Philadelphia Hosts Facebook Live with Professional Pumpkin Carver

Last week, CSN Philadelphia hosted a Facebook Live with a professional pumpkin carver, who carved a pumpkin of Philadelphia Flyers’ Shayne Gostisbehere before the Flyers-Blackhawks

game.  The 90-minute Facebook Live post delivered 70,000 views, with a reach of 300,000, and nearly 2,400 engagements. A time lapse of the pumpkin carving can be found here on CSNPhilly.com.

ICYMI on NBC SportsWorld

Cleveland’s Andrew Miller is the breakout star of baseball’s postseason, and he’s doing it as a relief pitcher. Joe Posnanski introduces Miller and the “revolutionary concept” of pitching your best relievers when it matters most.

A difficult year for Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward has gotten even dimmer in the postseason. Posnanski wonders if there’s a fix for Chicago’s beleaguered right fielder.

The Cleveland Indians’ name and logo have been in focus with the team on a march to the World Series. Posnanski discusses the origins of a name and image.

— NBC SPORTS DIGITAL —