Sneak peek of new NBCOlympics.com
Cory Bergman March 5th, 2008
Wow, I just watched a video demonstration (player below) of the upcoming new NBCOlympics.com, which promises to be the destination for the biggest online video event of all time. And it’s cool, to say the least. As we’ve written about before, NBCU along with MSN plan to offer 2,200 hours of live Olympics coverage online along with a treasure trove of video available on demand. They decided to go with Microsoft to power it all using Silverlight. First of all, each video clip is surrounded by related information, such as bios, stats and analysis, that apply directly to the athletes on screen. You can watch two events at once, using picture-in-picture. Or you can watch four different streams at once from the same event, like different camera angles of this track and field event. (Pardon the grainy screen grabs…)
While you’re watching a clip, a message may appear across the top of the screen, alerting you to another live event that’s just getting underway. Click it, and you’re instantly transported there. You can also send other people email alerts of live events. Pretty cool stuff, and I like the innovative ways to browse ongoing live events and “most watched” clips.
Of course, the downside in all of this is it will require a free Silverlight download to watch. But you have to admit, Microsoft couldn’t have found a better kick-off event to get its Silverlight players distributed quickly. Here’s the clip of the presentation below. You’ll need to fast-forward it to 1:17:00…
(Full disclosure: My site, KING5.com, is an NBCOlympics.com affiliate)
6 Comments Add your own
1. Paul | March 5th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
This is without a doubt that most incredible use of streaming technology I’ve ever seen. Picture in picture in live streams?? Watching four live streams at one time?? Real interactive content??
It’s INCREDIBLE!
2. Anonymous | March 5th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Big deal. Multiple angles of the stadium collapsing or rebel fighting–oh wait. They can’t show that. Who really cares anyway when it’s on NBC, as they are constantly telling us? Maybe NBC will pay for the medals, watch out for lead.
3. Ricky Clinch | March 6th, 2008 at 8:47 am
What’s with that guy?
Anyway, this looks awesome! I can’t wait to see this site. And if this becomes the norm, we’ll never get off the couch. I’m going to go and stake out my favorite cushion now.
4. Anonymous | March 6th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Is IBS still running the olympics site?
5. Joe | March 6th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Not this time (and we’re quite happy about that at the local level)
6. Anonymous | March 6th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
“But you have to admit, Microsoft couldn’t have found a better kick-off event to get its Silverlight players distributed quickly.”
They could create their own event and just include it in a Windows/IE update. (It’s still in beta, so it won’t be in the upcoming Vista SP1)
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