Sony to Release BBC Sport App in Time for Wimbledon
Sony have today announced a deal made with the BBC to bring live sport streaming to selected devices in time for Wimbledon 2012.
In a press release that went out earlier today, Sony spread the news that owners of 2011-2012 Bravia internet enabled TVs and PS3s would be soon able to stream live sporting events, such as the F1 Grand Prix and Wimbledon, straight from the upcoming app for their device. Users familiar with the BBCs current “red-button” services for extra information, screen switching and event choice will be familiar with how the proposed app will function. Rather than a single event being shown, such as in the case of the upcoming Olympic games, viewers are able to change what they watch, even having multiple screens active at once to keep an eye on multiple events.
Extra behind the scenes footage will also be available for those interested. No firm release date has yet been announced, but it has been assured to be coming in time for the Tennis season, so those with the inclination will be able to set up their PS3, ready the strawberries and cream, and watch the most famous tennis competition in the world from multiple angles. Colour me excited (seriously, I like the tennis). Full press release follows:
Press Release
Sony is pleased to announce a deal to bring new BBC Sport app to the Sony Entertainment Network on connected BRAVIA TVs and on PlayStation 3 in time for Wimbledon 2012
- Sony believes this is one of 2012’s killer apps for home entertainment and is pleased to be the first Smart TV brand to offer it
- Consumers can enjoy live streams of BBC coverage of key sporting events including Formula One and Wimbledon followed by 24 simultaneous streams during the Olympics
- Easy-to-use service that offers programming over and above what’s available currently on free to air services
Sony today announced the BBC Sport app, which will sit alongside BBC News and BBC iPlayer on the Sony Entertainment Network, will be launching on Sony BRAVIA and PlayStation®3 (PS3TM) devices in time for Wimbledon 2012, providing exciting new television content over and above that available on free-to-air television.
The application has been designed specifically for the ‘big-screen’ to deliver an ultimate home entertainment experience. The principal purpose is to deliver live sporting events where there are simultaneous activities or multiple camera angles, making it an ideal fixture to get front row seats to watch Formula OneTM and major sporting events coming to London this summer, including Wimbledon and the Olympics.
With the BBC capturing highlights of the key sporting events over the summer, the app will provide UK consumers with an incredible mix of both live and on-demand sporting events from the UK and around the world, straight to their living rooms at the simple touch of a button. Throughout the London 2012 Olympics Games, the BBC Sport app will give audiences access to 2,500 hours of content and up to 24 simultaneous live events, all in HD.
Edd Uzzell, Sony category development manager for BRAVIA, believes the launch of BBC Sport app is one of the most exciting developments for the Sony Entertainment Network.
“Televised sport is one of the biggest rating wins for broadcasters. This truly is a killer app and will provide a substantial amount of additional sporting content that you can’t get through the current broadcasting model. We strongly believe this will kick-start more widespread usage of the connected television offering, providing sport fans using the app with in-depth big-screen coverage of their favorite events. The app will also have extensive penetration in the UK thanks to its availability on PlayStation 3” says Uzzell.
“Launching this app to millions of PS3 owners in the UK will be a very welcome addition to PlayStation’s universal entertainment credentials” added Alan Duncan, UK Marketing Director for Sony Computer Entertainment UK.
In addition to the current BBC red-button function consumers with the BBC Sport app will have access to more interactive content and extra coverage of future sporting events.
The app’s user interface will be familiar to consumers who currently use the BBC Sport website, it will be simple to navigate using the standard remote control, Media Remote smartphone application or PlayStation 3 controller. It will launch on PS3, 2011 & 2012 Internet Enabled BRAVIAs’ with more devices to follow