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Cable Technology Feature Article

August 06, 2008

Comcast, NBC to Deliver Olympic Games on Multiple Platforms

By Rajani Baburajan, TMCnet Contributor


Comcast (News - Alert), a provider of entertainment, information and communication products and services in the United States, and NBC Universal said today that they’ll work to connect Comcast customers to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
 
Under the agreement, Comcast will provide long hours of on-air and online Olympic Games coverage through NBCU multiple broadcast and cable networks, high-definition video on demand, along with 2,200 hours of broadband content available on NBCOlympics.com via a link from Comcast’s Web site, said the companies.
 
Apart from the 1,200-plus hours of Olympic coverage on seven NBCU networks – NBC, USA Network, MSNBC, CNBC, Oxygen, Telemundo and Universal HD – Comcast will deliver more than 700 hours of HD coverage on networks including NBC HD, Universal HD, and USA HD, officials said. Comcast Central allows viewers to watch many events simultaneously, officials say. Also included are features such as pre-recorded Olympic content, interactive text buttons, a continuous medal count and Olympic news headline updates, according to the companies.
 
NBCU’s “pre-Games on demand” offers 60 different programs, including the currently available “Beijing 411,” “Meet the Athletes” and “Team USA Preview.” All Olympic programming is available at no additional charge for Comcast Digital Cable customers, Comcast said.
 
For those who miss the initial broadcast, Comcast offers next-day highlights, according to the company. NBC’s “In-Games” on demand package will feature daily highlights by sport, officials said.
 
Comcast users can access NBC Olympic Web site NBCOlympics.com, via a link from Comcast Web site. NBCOlympics.com plans to deliver 2,200 hours of 25 events streamed live, plus full-event video replays, extensive highlights, including daily re-caps of key events, best-of montages, commentator analysis and athlete-specific clips each day, according to Comcast.
 
“We are excited to offer this unprecedented cross-platform experience and give our customers unparalleled access to NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games,” said Matt Bond, executive vice president of Content Acquisition at Comcast. “Our customers now have front row seats to one of the most exciting events in the world, along with the ability to watch what they want, when they want to.”
 
Bridget Baker, president of TV Networks Distribution at NBC Universal (News - Alert), said: “The drama and excitement that is unique to the Olympic Games is a perfect showcase for Comcast’s robust multi-platform offering. We’re proud to partner with Comcast. Their customers will have a Gold medal Beijing Olympic Games experience.”
 
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Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Rajani's articles, please visit her columnist page.