NBC Launches Playmaker Media, Streaming Video Support Service
A decade of streaming major events has taught NBC Sports how to get online video right, and now it's bringing those lessons to outside customers. NBC Sports is launching Playmaker Media, a service that provides end-to-end support for live and on-demand video projects. Its first client is the International Olympic Committee, which will work with Playmaker on its upcoming global digital initiative.
Playmaker is led by Rick Cordella, the senior vice president and general manager of digital media for NBC Sports Group. Cordella notes that his company has the expertise to meet the growing demand for live streaming support. "Our clients can expect best-in-class service that will provide their viewers with an enjoyable and seamless streaming experience," he says.
To support its customers, NBC announced that Playmaker will partner with Adobe, Akamai, Microsoft, iStreamPlanet, and Comcast Wholesale.
NBC offered the first live stream of an Olympic event—the men's ice hockey gold medal game—in February 2006. This year, it will live stream the Rio Olympics, as well as over 10,000 other events. It has also live streamed the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup final, NASCAR, the Premiere League, and the Triple Crown.
Playmaker isn't only for sports events, as it will provide support for NBC's 2016 presidential election coverage. The company expects to announce additional clients soon.
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