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Tag: NBC Sports

  • Verizon 5G Brings the Indy 500 to Fans’ Homes

    Verizon 5G Brings the Indy 500 to Fans’ Homes

    The coronavirus pandemic may be keeping people at home, but Verizon is bringing the Indy 500 right to them.

    Verizon, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and NBC Sports have teamed up to provide a front-row experience to fans. A high-definition, 360-degree camera will be placed in the infield and take advantage of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband service, as well as augmented reality (AR).

    In addition to being streamed via Verizon’s BlueJeans platform, AR will allow fans to watch the race on their smartphones, choosing the perspective that best suits them. They will even be able to tour the garages and see the drivers.

    “Thanks to Verizon, fans around the globe will be given unprecedented digital access to the biggest personalities and the most exciting behind-the-scenes action of this year’s Indianapolis 500,” said Jonathan Gibson, Executive Vice President, Penske Corporation. “From 5G powered Race Day footage to a public drivers meeting on an innovative platform like BlueJeans, we’re excited to team up with Verizon for an epic Race Weekend.”

    This is just the latest example of what can be accomplished when combining 5G with other innovative technologies, such as AR.

  • Tara Lipinski Joins Johnny Weir, Terry Gannon To Make NBC Lead Figure-Skating Announcing Team

    Former champion figure skater Tara Lipinski is joining forces with fellow champion figure skater Johnny Weir and sports announcer Terry Gannon to form NBC’s lead figure-skating announcing team. The team was announced on Wednesday, October 22, when all three appeared on the TODAY show.

    Lipinski, who won the 1998 Olympic gold medal for figure skating, was first seen announcing with Weir, three-time US figure skating champion, at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Lipinski and Weir were famous then for their banter and coordinated outfits, which NBC is hoping they will provide in all its future coverage of figure skating events henceforth.

    “Johnny, Tara and Terry were breakout TV stars in Sochi. We’re excited that viewers will be treated to this team’s informative and entertaining commentary for many years to come, all while looking fabulous,” said Jim Bell, executive producer of NBC Olympics, in a statement.

    Banter between Lipinski and Weir drew praise for them onscreen and on Instagram. Lipinski, Weir and Gannon will be doing their first assignment this weekend in Chicago at the NBC broadcast of the 2014 Hilton Honors Skate America, with analyst Tracy Wilson and reporter Andrea Joyce.

    “NBC gave us an opportunity of a lifetime in Sochi. I could not be more excited to continue this journey. My goal is to continue educating, entertaining and bringing the incredible sport of figure skating to a new generation of fans,” said Lipinski. “I cannot wait to begin and I’m lucky to have my talented co-pilots Johnny and Terry by my side. Being a part of this is a combination of all of my favorite things, and I look forward to the adventures in the years ahead.”

    Lipinski reportedly looks up to broadcasters Dick Button and Scott Hamilton, who were both Olympic champions and long-time figure skating commentators.

  • Michelle Beadle: Beautiful Blonde’s NBC Show “Crossover” Canceled

    Michelle Beadle’s NBC Sports Network show The Crossover has been canceled, it was reported by SB Nation today.

    The show lasted only seven months, and this is what Michelle had to say on twitter in response to a fan’s query on Monday:

    The beautiful blonde followed the curt “no” with a more detailed tweet today afternoon:

    The Crossover made its debut during Super Bowl week this past January, but despite the blue-eyed blonde’s youthful charm, never managed a solid following. The lack of audience and lackluster ratings prompted the exit of her co-host and former FOX news anchor Dave Briggs in May this year. Here is Michelle interviewing the Bella twins at Crossover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2qq7Lovu3ig#t=83

    To lessen the fallout from the show’s cancellation, NBC Sports clarified today that the decision was made not due to poor ratings and demand, but that the channel wanted to create a “vertical programming block” in advance of the impeding NHL season.

    “With the NHL returning, we decided to focus on our core sports and have created vertical programming blocks in that time period to do that. We look forward to Michelle Beadle and the production team continuing their work on other NBC Sports Group properties,” said NBC sports.

    But Michelle’s fans needn’t worry as she is still as hot as ever and will continue to work with NBC to bring pleasure to her audience. Beadle is also slated for the Winter Olympics coverage during February 2014 at Sochi, Russia.

    And look how sweet she looks celebrating the cancellation with a glass of white wine:

    Beadle joined ESPN in 2009, as co-host of SportsNation. Her career at ESPN brought her acclaim and wide following before she switched to NBC Sports. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ5Gv244tsU

    [image via twitter]