SnappyTV Partners with the PGA, Delivers Snap and Shoot Video
SnappyTV partnered with Turner Sports and PGA.com this weekend to deliver "snap and shoot" service for Sunday's PGA championship. While not completely new, SnappyTV is still building awareness about what it offers. The company partners with TV providers and gives viewers a way to capture and share video that was just broadcast.
Sadly, Turner Sports isn't allowing SnappyTV to publicize how many people used the service to share moments, so we can't tell how successful the partnership was. However, Mike Folgner, the CEO of San Francisco, California-based SnappyTV, pointed out that 18 people shared the moment when Rory McIlroy hurt his hand during a swing, and that the shared clip was viewed nearly 6,000 times.
A clip of a fan showing his enthusiasm after a good shot by Tiger Woods was also popular.
SnappyTV offered two ways to share the PGA event. By watching web streams of the live coverage, viewers could tap a button anytime to get a sharable instant replay. Viewers could view two video streams: one that watched an A-list group of players that included McIlroy and Woods, and one that stayed put on a par three hole.
Alternately, viewers watching the coverage on TNT or CBS could go to an event website and click to share the previous 20 seconds.
The service was heavily promoted by TNT, which made it the best known event SnappyTV has done.
"It was a very successful partnership," says Folgner.
SnappyTV has been around for 15 months, and the service launched in January of this year with the State of the Union address. So far, SnappyTV has been used by Fox, the Tennis Channel, and White House events.
Users need to register to use SnappyTV, although the service is free. The company is monetizing the service through partnerships. SnappyTV received funding in a super angel round in October, 2010, but Folgner won't disclose the amount.
As for the PGA partnership, Folgner learned the importance of consumer awareness is getting people to participate. While he can't release the numbers, he says that shared videos drove more people to tune in and watch the event live. Look for more SnappyTV events in the fall, tied in with fall premieres, sports matches, and political coverage.
"The PGA championship proved that people want to share those key moments with their friends as they happen, from Rory McIlroy hitting his wrist, to a crazy fan jumping in front of Tiger Woods."
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