It'll Be Live...Online!

It's not like I was going to get up at 5 am to watch tape delayed Ryder Cup action anyway since I can get up at 6 and be caught up fast forwarding through commercials by 7, but in case any of my fellow Americans have insomnia and want to watch live at 12 a.m. Pacific or 3 a.m EST...

Turner Sports, an industry leader in televised sports programming, today announced an agreement with NBC Sports, the broadcast home of the Ryder Cup, to produce and distribute online streaming video content for the 2006 Ryder Cup tournament.  On Friday, September 22, fans will be able to watch NBC’s live streaming coverage of match play from 3 - 11a.m. (ET), as well as subsequent video highlights, pre and post-round press conferences, and live scoring throughout the remainder of the tournament on Turner’s RyderCup.com website.  Jennifer Mills of PGA TOUR Sunday on USA Network will provide interviews and analysis.

“This deal combines the excitement of the Ryder Cup and NBC Sports’ outstanding product with Turner’s unrivaled experience in seamlessly distributing online sporting events to fans,” said Lenny Daniels, senior vice president of sports production and new media for Turner Sports.  “Both consumers and the sports world have acknowledged the value of video on the Internet as a resource for viewing sporting events, whether at home, at work, or on the go.  We’re happy to continue to provide compelling, robust online content that sports fans continue to crave.”

Key words in the money quote: at work...

In addition to the featured streaming video, fans will be able to access live audio coverage of match play from Friday, September 22 through Sunday, September 24.  Also, fans will have access to message boards where they can post messages for members of both Team USA and Team Europe.

Turner Sports New Media (TSNM), a leading digital interactive sports media organization and a division of Turner Sports, has the Internet rights to the 2006 Ryder Cup which allows them to manage, produce and host the 2006 Ryder Cup Web site.

Why are they just announcing this now?