It has become "more important than ever to engage with viewers -- and non-viewing fans -- across social media," so for NBC Sports, using the new Facebook Live series "is part of a broader effort to integrate social media into its sports coverage," according to Sahil Patel of DIGIDAY. NBC uses social to "create an event atmosphere around each match-up," and the net plans to do "at least one Facebook Live broadcast every night of the NHL playoffs." NBC Sports Senior Dir of Social Media Marketing Lyndsay Signor said, "It's become very important to use social media as a megaphone. If you're not watching the game, we want to make sure you're still getting bite-sized pieces of content to stay informed. If you are watching the game, you're getting complementary content." Patel noted on Saturday during Penguins-Rangers Game 5, NBC Sports Senior Manager of Social Media Dan Palla, Social Media Coordinator Dan Mogg and another staffer at NBC Sports HQ "stayed in contact to decide what content got made, which platforms it went to and when." Additionally, a "pregame 'shot-sheet' gave direction and the ability to bank content." Once the game starts, the focus is on "capturing the atmosphere of the arena while also providing highlights and game information across platforms." With eight different matchups in the first round, NBC is "focusing its on-site social efforts on marquee match-ups," but "as the field narrows and teams get eliminated, the plan will be to embed one or two social people onsite at every game, supported by the team back" back at HQ (DIGIDAY.com, 4/25).
CONTRARY BY NATURE: In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes NBC hockey analyst and former Islanders GM Mike Milbury's "contrary nature makes him more entertaining than others with similar job descriptions." During Penguins-Rangers on Saturday, Milbury's NBC studio mate Jeremy Roenick said, "I have seen no pulse in the last five periods by the Rangers. I don't expect a pulse in period six and ..." Milbury then quickly interjected, saying, "Oh, come on. They had a 2-1 lead in the first period, give them a little credit." With coverage of the Islanders-Lightning series now moving exclusively to NBC, that means "even more Milbury ... between periods and on the pre and postgame shows" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/26).
YES MAN: On Long Island, Neil Best notes Islanders radio play-by-play announcer Chris King during Sunday's Game 6 clincher against the Panthers had "part of his call for the biggest Islanders goal in nearly a quarter-century 'tucked away' in advance," and it "will not be recycled, no matter how far they advance." King said of his call on Sunday, "There will be one 'Yes! Yes! Yes!' and that one I want to leave where it is and never use it again." King credited former Isles TV announcer Jiggs McDonald "for the inspiration." Best notes King is in his 27th season covering the team and 22nd as part of its radio broadcasts (NEWSDAY, 4/26).
