Integrating its operations "more and more" with those
of S.F.-based Quokka, NBC "might just be the first major TV
network to nail a Web strategy that works," according to
Ryan Tate of UPSIDE TODAY. Tate: "Rather than trying to
control a large chunk of all Web traffic, the network now
appears content to vie for a big slice of the market for
online news and information." NBC is "taking cues in the
transformation" from CBS, however, Tate wrote, "Where CBS
merely rented out its brand to the likes of MarketWatch and
Sportsline, NBC is trying to integrate its online partners -
- sites like Quokka and Golf.com -- with its offline news
and sports operations. And judging by the network's past
success tying together the cable, broadcast and Web assets
of its news division, it may very well succeed. In so
doing, it would establish a new model for the integration of
broadcast and online assets" (UPSIDE TODAY, 8/25).
HUSKERS ON THE WEB: While Saturday's Univ. of NE-San
Jose State Univ. football game won't be televised, USA
TODAY's Chris Jenkins notes that FoxSports.com will feature
a Webcast of the game, which "is believed to be the first
time anybody has Webcast a major college game."
FoxSports.com Senior VP Danny Greenberg is "concerned that
people have realistic expectations about what they're going
to see Saturday. Those with high-speed Internet connections
will avoid some of the choppiness, but the video probably
will look Zapruder-esque to the rest of us." Greenberg:
"This is an experiment. It's a first" (USA TODAY, 8/29).
NOTES: In Seattle, Sharon Pian Chan profiled Seattle-
based SeasonTicket.com and wrote, "SeasonTicket is one of
the few sites to deliver quality broadcast content amid the
hype over DSL and cable." But Pian Chan noted, "The
shortcomings of the site are its major-league partnerships.
SeasonTicket has partnered with MLB, NBA, NHL and MLS, but
it has yet to ink deals with the NFL and the PGA. ... As a
result, you can't get football or golf video highlights on
the site" (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/27)....Rivals.com said that
Tennis Week magazine has relaunched its www.tennisweek.com
service by adding it to the sports reporting channels
carried on the Rivals.com Web site. Under the transaction,
the magazine and Rivals.com will "split advertising revenue
generated from the site" (DBUSINESS.com, 8/24).
