USA Unleashes Web Video At Dog Show
Cable Network Has New Toys In Store For Westminster Kennel Club Site
By R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 2/7/2008 7:50:00 AM
USA Network’s latest Internet efforts are going to the dogs, enhancing the online portion of USA’s coverage of the upcoming Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Garden.
The network has fluffed up its online coverage of the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with enhanced, behind-scenes video coverage of the Feb. 11-12 event on the Westminster Kennel Club Web site, according to network executive vice president of marketing, digital and brand strategy Chris McCumber.
USA, which operates the organization’s site, will create new features for the upcoming show, including live streaming coverage of the “Best In Group” and “Best In Show” competition well after USA Network’s two-day on air coverage ends.
USA Network will provide live coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 8-9 p.m. on Monday and 8-11 p.m. on Tuesday. CNBC will also provide coverage on Feb. 11 from 9-11 p.m.
The Westminster site also will include all 169 breed judging videos available in the new WKC Video Player within hours of being shown on USA.
Also new to the site: a “WKC Community” that allows canine aficionados to discuss the competition amongst themselves. McCumber said the social networking area will be a place where dog lovers, owners and breeders can interact and share user-contributed content. Users can create individual profiles, upload videos and photos and create blogs.
“It’s a socialized place where people can come and really connect with each other and the passion they have,” McCumber added.
A WKC All Access area will provide behind-scenes coverage of the dog show, hosted by David Frei and Carley Simpson. Roaming reporters will provide bench-area webcasts and backstage interviews on Sunday, Feb. 10, as well as coverage of the two-day event.
On the mobile side, USA will simulcast and rebroadcast of 2008 WKC shows on mobile sites NBC2Go and MobiTV.
USA also will provide mobile alerts featuring factoids, trivia, backstage news and tune-in reminders for the broadcast on USA Network.
