Comcast’s streaming service Peacock will offer a number of enhanced features like in-game statistics, real-time highlights and other interactive perks when its broadcast network NBC starts offering games from the National Basketball Association (NBA) later this year.
The features, rolling out later this year and timed to coincide with the start of the NBA season, promise to deliver an “exciting and inclusive streaming experience to draw in the broadest range of basketball fans and celebrate the league’s dynamic elements to give users new ways to get into the game,” Comcast’s NBC Sports said on Monday.
Some of the features, like real-time statistics, are present on other connected TV platforms like YouTube TV and Fubo — and even through Peacock during other events like the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. But Peacock will build on what’s already in the market by super-serving basketball fans with interactive Bingo-like sports cards, fantasy sports stats and unique courtside camera angles — the type of stuff Peacock can offer that traditional NBC stations and affiliates can’t (at least not yet).
“Peacock will be the most fun and engaging place to stream NBA games for longtime basketball fans and new ones, too,” Rick Cordella, the President of NBC Sports, said in a statement on Monday. “We’re bringing the same level of innovation, inspiration and commitment that we’ve brought to so many other huge sports moments and leagues to deliver an intuitive, interactive and reliable streaming experience that the full range of NBA fans will enjoy.”
Some of the new features coming to NBA on NBC presentations offered through Peacock include:
- Live in Browse: A convenient button that allows fans to start streaming an in-progress basketball game the moment they open the Peacock app on supported phones, tablets and smart TVs. During a game, the Peacock home page will automatically populate with scores and other contextual data.
- Catch Up with Key Plays: Fans can quickly watch key moments from each game, in chronological order, at an accelerated pace in order to catch up to live action. As described, the feature is similar to key highlight functions on YouTube TV and Fubo.
- Can’t Miss Highlights: Playlists with highlights from games, as well as pre-game and post-game “moments” from across the league. While watching highlights, fans can quickly get back into a game, if one is in progress.
- Peacock ScoreCard: A novel interactive feature that Comcast describes as “bingo meets fantasy sports.” Peacock ScoreCard will be available on phones, tablets and smart TVs; fans choose a scorecard that centers on a team or theme, and then accumulate points based on various in-game actions. Points can be compared to other Peacock subscribers, and top-ranked players might receive an on-air shoutout during a game.
- Peacock Performance View: An interactive mode that delivers in-game stats alongside live video feeds.
- Courtside Live: A feature that will be active during the second half of Peacock’s Monday games, which allows fans to experience the game as if they were sitting in a courtside seat.
The new features are part of Comcast’s comprehensive, 11-year TV rights deal to NBA games for NBC and Peacock, which are separate from the company’s regional sports agreements with the Golden State Warriors, the Sacramento Kings, the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers.
NBC Sports will reprise “Roundrock Ball,” its theme song produced by John Tesh, for its presentation of NBA games on NBC. Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller will join its coverage as game analysts, Carmelo Anthony as a studio analyst, and Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle as play-by-play commentators. On Monday, NBC Sports also revealed that NBA veteran Michael Jordan will also join the network as a special contributor when the NBA season begins in October.
