NBC Sports Regional Networks is relaunching its app after seeing a significant usage increase on its mobile platforms over the past several months. The new app, called MyTeams, launched today with a focus on individual teams, rather than regions. It is available on iOS and Android devices. “Overall TV viewership is down, and PC usage is down; but App usage is increasing at a rapid rate,” said NBC Sports Regional Networks President David Preschlack. “This launch provides us with the opportunity to better connect with fans and advertisers.” NBC’s new app will provide in-market streams of live MLB, NBA and NHL games to authenticated users. Users across the country will have access to pre- and postgame shows to 25 NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB teams covered by NBC RSNs. “This is where our fans are, and this where they’re going,” Preschlack said. “We feel it’s critically important to connect with the fans that we have with a best-in-class app.” The mobile arena also is where advertisers are headed, he added. “This shifts the conversations we’re having with our advertisers,” Preschlack said. “We’re seeing more advertisers shift their strategy. We deal with big companies that just want to advertise digitally.”
FOCUS ON TEAMS INSTEAD OF REGIONS: Users can pick their favorite teams, rather than regions, to follow -- an allowance, for instance, that some Wizards fans may not be fans of the Capitals. They will access content that includes live video, on-demand video, podcasts and written stories. “We provide personalization for the folks who want that,” said NBC Sports Regional Networks Senior VP/Platforms & Strategy Matt Murphy. “We take advantage of all the resources we have locally. A lot of companies do national really well by taking a national approach. Our strength is local, so we wanted to double down on local.” The focus on streaming to mobile video does not signal a strategy shift away from linear television, which still remains the dominant platform -- by far -- for NBC Sports’ RSNs. “We have not taken our eye off the television side of the business,” Preschlack said. “You can’t have all your eggs in the television basket. That’s not where all our fans are.” Coinciding with the launch of its app, NBC also is reducing its ad load and launching a redesign of its websites. “If you want to win in digital, you need to have compelling websites and compelling apps,” Preschlack said.
