New SportsCastr.Live video platform gains more celebrity backing from former NBA star
The landscape of sports broadcast continues to shift, and with it comes a new online platform, SportsCastr.Live. The live streaming video platform – currently in public beta – allows users to be color commentators and enables viewers to select which sportscaster they wish to have call, recap or make predictions on a game.
SportsCastr.Live gains more backing
SportsCastr.Live has been gaining the backing and support of some high-powered people within the sports industry, and recently 14-year NBA veteran and current NBA TV studio analyst Steve Smith joined forces with the team of sports executives and players behind the platform.
Smith, an NBA champion and all-star, joins SportsCastr.Live’s team of advisors and investors, including David Stern, NBA commissioner emeritus; Jim Boeheim, Syracuse University head basketball coach; Vernon Davis, two-time NFL Pro Bowler and Washington tight end; Donald Schupak, former managing partner of the ABA’s Spirits of St. Louis; Andrew Schupak, SGI MB chief executive; and Eric Bechtel, IdeaQuest founder. The company is led by chief executive officer Kevin April.
“Clearly, we are seeing major shifts in how audiences watch sports,” said Smith. “I am very intrigued by this new platform...which is poised to revolutionize the way fans consume their sports content.”
SportsCastr.Live, which utilizes adaptive bit-rate technology and ultra-fast delivery, differentiates itself from other live video platforms like Periscope or Facebook Live by offering sports broadcast features that used to only be available in a studio setting, according to a release. This includes the ability for users to enhance their streams with real-time scoreboards, on-air motion graphics and augmented reality, making it look like they are live on TV, regardless of their location. Plus, all elements are clickable and interactive, allowing viewers to engage with the ‘broadcaster’ in ways never before possible. Sports fans are now able to discover broadcasters from around the world and follow their favorite personalities.
“When it comes to game broadcasts, fans want what they want, on whatever device they want, whenever they want it. Now, SportsCastr.Live adds a whole new dimension by giving viewers another choice: announced by whomever they want, even if it is themselves,” said Stern in the release. “This platform will redefine what it means to ‘call a game’. Think about it: you can stream the game, watch it in VR, get real-time stats and info, etc. Now you can choose your broadcaster and that person has access to all the bells and whistles necessary to deliver a ‘network quality’ broadcast."
SportsCastr.Live is currently in public beta and is available for free on the iTunes App Store. Users can also access the platform through the SportsCastr.Live website.
The New York-based company recently completed an undisclosed funding round led by SGI MB.