Friday Abernethy named new normal supervisor of NBC Sports activities Washington
Media business veteran Friday Abernethy, who on Thursday was named the brand new normal supervisor of NBC Sports activities Washington, mentioned the appear and feel of recreation broadcasts and different programming on the community — in addition to the methods wherein followers can entry that content material — can be largely the identical because it was earlier than the August deal was introduced, although enhancements, to incorporate a brand new digital streaming platform, are within the works.
“I feel within the brief time period we’re actually enthusiastic about reimagining our programming slate outdoors of the dwell video games,” Abernethy, who has practically three many years of expertise within the business, with a give attention to distribution and content material licensing, mentioned in a video interview. “I feel by us having full possession of it, it permits us to [ask], ‘How can we go deeper with the groups and convey extra of that non-public ingredient to the followers?’”
Abernethy talked about Meghan McPeak’s addition as a sideline reporter for Wizards video games as one of many few adjustments made to the Capitals and Wizards broadcasts this season, and she or he mentioned new team-focused programming is predicted to debut by subsequent season.
After the acquisition, which was accomplished final month, Zach Leonsis, Monumental’s president of media and new enterprises and Ted’s son, mentioned Monumental was considering exploring a direct-to-consumer streaming choice for Capitals and Wizards video games that may give followers entry to the broadcasts with out requiring a cable subscription. In accordance with a launch, Monumental has employed digital platform ViewLift to “design, combine, develop and launch a strong digital expertise for Mid-Atlantic sports activities followers throughout all main streaming units.” Whereas Abernethy mentioned the community is concentrated on supporting its conventional linear TV expertise in the interim, it should have a possible mannequin to comply with when it decides to go the digital route.
Earlier this week, Los Angeles Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer launched “ClipperVision,” a direct-to-consumer streaming platform with six dwell viewing choices, together with an augmented actuality stream with shot chance graphics and statistics, dwell commentary from former gamers and Korean and Spanish-language broadcasts. The service, which doesn’t require a cable subscription, prices $199.99 for 74 video games this season and contains entry to a library of previous video games and highlights.
Abernethy, who can be tasked with overseeing day-to-day operations of NBC Sports activities Washington whereas serving to lead its integration into Monumental’s present platform, mentioned she can be watching the response to ClipperVision “actually carefully.” She will even be keeping track of Bally Sports activities, which launched a stand-alone subscription streaming service in September, and New England Sports activities Community (NESN), which grew to become the primary regional sports activities community to dwell stream NHL games in 4K High Dynamic Range this season.
“I feel it’s form of the tip of the iceberg by way of the place sports activities rights can go,” mentioned Abernethy, who spent seven years in executive-level positions at Univision and fills the position at NBCSW beforehand held by Jackie Bradford, who stays the president and normal supervisor of NBC 4 and Telemundo. “… I feel alternate feeds are tremendous attention-grabbing. There may very well be a betting feed, there may very well be a number of languages. These are all issues that we’re exploring.”
Monumental, which acquired a one-third stake in NBC Sports activities Washington from Comcast in 2016 and likewise owns the NBA G League’s Capital Metropolis Go-Go and the NBA 2K League’s Wizards District Gaming, has experimented with gambling-focused alternate TV broadcasts earlier than.
Along with its Capitals and Wizards protection, NBC Sports activities Washington airs intensive pregame and postgame protection of the Washington Commanders, in addition to a each day Commanders-focused, half-hour present hosted by Julie Donaldson, the crew’s senior vice chairman of media and content material. Abernethy mentioned the community hasn’t made any choices about the way it will cowl the Commanders, or any of the opposite native sports activities groups not owned by Monumental, past this season.
“We’ll be exploring the entire alternatives that we have now within the native market,” she mentioned.
Monumental additionally introduced that D.C.-based company HZ will help its rebranding effort, and Diversified, a know-how options supplier, will oversee the event of a brand new manufacturing facility close to Capital One Enviornment. Development is predicted to be accomplished by subsequent season.
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