The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Eriq Gardner reported DirecTV has "made a strategic investment in LiveClips, a technology platform that aggregates live, post-game and archived sports feeds." The investment "will allow DirecTV to give 'Sunday Ticket' customers the ability to see personalized sports highlights." In addition, the technology "has the capability to allow customers access to searchable video clips of game action on broadcast and digital devices." Terms of the deal were not disclosed (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 12/4).
GETTING THEIR PHIL: In Toronto, Kevin McGran reports many inside the Maple Leafs' clubhouse expect RW Phil Kessel "to be the breakout star" of HBO's "24/7: Road to the Winter Classic." Maple Leafs D Dion Phaneuf said, "Phil has a real different side to him behind those doors and in front of you guys, and I hope that that show can really show what kind of a guy he is because he's a great guy to hang out with." Maple Leafs C Nazem Kadri: "Phil's going to be interesting to watch. He likes to kind of keep to himself a little bit, but I know the HBO cameras are going to kind of want to get on him a little bit and have him in the show." McGran notes while Kessel can "at best be reticent to speak to reporters and face cameras after games and practices, he really didn’t have a choice but to go before the HBO cameras" (TORONTO STAR, 12/5).
AT A SPRINT: FS Indiana telecasts of Pacers games in November saw a 113% ratings increase compared to '12, marking the team's highest rated opening month since '05. The increase is the largest in the NBA this season. The team's local TV ratings overall ranked fourth in the league, up from 13th at the end of last season. The Nov. 27 game at the Bobcats was the highest-rated game on FS Indiana since April 20, 2005 for the season finale against the Bulls. Nielsen data shows that Pacers telecasts on the net overall are averaging a 4.1 rating in the Indianapolis market (Pacers).
ON A ROLL: In Birmingham, Ty West reported Alabama has the most appearances on CBS' SEC package over the last 10 years with 47 games, followed by LSU and Florida with 46 each. Those three schools have been involved in about 46% of CBS broadcasts during that period. The Florida-Georgia game "has appeared on CBS in each of the past 10 years." The Alabama-Auburn Iron Bowl "was tapped for CBS nine times, which was tied with Arkansas-LSU and Florida-Tennessee" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/3).
