DIRECTV, USA Network and CBS Deliver a Big Serve with 2008 US Open Interactive
August 27, 2008
EL SEGUNDO, CA & NEW YORK — In the spirit of this year’s US OPEN tennis championship theme — “It’s Showtime” — DIRECTV has teamed up with USA Network, CBS and USTA to offer tennis fans their own marquee viewing event, the US Open Interactive service.
Continuing its run for a third consecutive year, DIRECTV’s US Open Interactive service returns today with expanded coverage, including USA Network’s national coverage during the tournament’s first five days, Aug. 25-29, and new this year, three extra days of coverage from CBS, Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. More US Open programming information is available by visiting directv.com/usopen.
DIRECTV’s US Open Interactive will offer more than 400 hours of tournament coverage, including up to 160 additional matches on five extra court channels, in addition to the network channel in HD. The additional channels will present live match coverage from separate courts with dedicated announcers. On three of the court channels, DIRECTV is providing its own announcer commentary with a team that will include seven-time Women’s Tennis Association Singles Champion Chanda Rubin, Mark Woodforde, who was part of one of the most successful doubles teams in history with a record 61 titles, former touring pro Jeff Tarango and broadcast veterans Jack Edwards, Barry MacKay, and Bill Patrick.
All six channels can be viewed simultaneously on a separate US Open Mix Channel and can be watched full screen with the click of a remote. Interactive features like match schedules, real-time scoring and results will also be available on the court channels, the Mix Channel, and on USA Network as well.
“DIRECTV is excited to join USA Network, CBS and USTA in celebrating the 40th year of the US Open era by enabling DIRECTV US Open Interactive viewers to more fully experience the raucous atmosphere and competitive intensity that surrounds this tournament,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “Along with HD, interactive technology acts like another layer of electronic Stickum that keeps sports fans in their seats and their hands wrapped around the remote — using a Western forehand grip if they’re a tennis fan.”
DIRECTV’s most recent usage data shows that interactive viewers continue to spend more time watching event programming than non-interactive viewers. For example, usage data from DIRECTV’s Wimbledon Interactive coverage showed average daily viewing was nearly 68 percent higher among viewers using interactive applications and the cumulative viewing across multiple days was nearly 155 percent higher.
Designed to keep US Open viewers on top of all the action and results on multiple courts, the interactive service will continue to offer on-screen interactive features such as “Matches On Now,” “Matches On Later,” and “Results,” which provides real-time scoring of matches in progress and those that have been completed.
Customers can view US Open Interactive coverage starting at 11 a.m. (ET) on each of the tournament’s first eight days. While USA’s national broadcast of the Tournament will sign off between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. (ET) daily, DIRECTV will show any match that it presents to its conclusion. Expanded CBS coverage on DIRECTV will run Saturday (Aug. 30) through Monday (Sept. 1), 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET).
About DIRECTV, Inc.
DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTV), the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 17.1 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with more than 130 HD channels — more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed all national cable companies for eight years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.