Utah Jazz: NBA launches enhanced, interactive game experience

Utah Jazz fans hoping to get the most out of their game-viewing experience might want to grab a laptop computer along with drinks, snacks and the Sports section when tuning into telecasts.

The NBA has launched a Jazz TV Companion on utahjazz.com with real-time features. The idea is to give viewers a complementary and enhanced "in-arena experience with social media integration and video highlight packages," according to a news release sent out Wednesday by the NBA and the Jazz. They're describing the TV and technological partnership as being "a first-of-its-kind live game companion."

"Having access to the information that this product will provide will enhance the experience of watching our games on TV," said Jim Olson, Jazz senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Included Jazz TV Companion features:

— In-arena experience and press access, making available pregame media notes, real-time statistics, breaking news, 3D shot charts and play-by-play analysis.

— Social media integration, providing users interaction opportunities through chats and forums with other fans, team personnel and on-air talent in "an innovative multi-screen experience" on sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Yahoo!

— Halftime and postgame video highlights, featuring mid-game and postgame reports with video highlights, boxscores, leaderboards and a live shot-track feature.

The NBA will provide the majority of data and information. The Jazz have staffers dedicated to social media, and Olson says they will communicate with the league and monitor the companion "very closely."

The Jazz recently did a "quiet launch" to see how the system works. Olson was "really excited" after his experience.

"I followed it. I really enjoyed it," Olson said. His favorite part was "just having information so ready right at my fingertips."

Bryan Perez, NBA Digital senior vice president, claims the information's accessibility will be user-friendly and will cater to viewers who follow the league on TV and online. According to the release, 57 percent of Americans with Internet access at home simultaneously use the Internet and TV.

"This," Perez said, "is the perfect broadcast companion for fans to experience all the action on the court, while connecting with friends on their preferred social network."

Olson says the two technologies "go hand-in-hand," and he's not surprised the NBA is trying new things.

"The NBA has always been one of the leaders in all forms of marketing and it's no different with social media," he said. "They're very aggressive in how we're going to utilize this and be in the forefront."

e-mail: jody@desnews.com

Want to how it worked? Jody tried it last night. Go to deseretnews.com/blogs