NBA Digital and
T-Mobile on Wednesday announced the launch of a live streaming sports application for Android -- Google's software platform for mobile devices.
Providing basketball fans with access
to four distinct video channels throughout this year's NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the application will be available via the T-Mobile G1 for .99 cents a pop. "T-Mobile Close Up: NBA Eastern
Conference Finals," so-called, was developed in conjunction with technology providers Orb Networks and Mobile CDN, and includes all of the coverage one would expect from a live sporting event.
"Our goal is to continue to set the industry standard by providing the most comprehensive, multiplatform experience possible across television, Internet and mobile platforms," says Bryan Perez, senior
vice president and general manager of NBA Digital.
Along with live camera angles, the application will provide fans with postgame video highlights of the ongoing conference semifinals and
continuing through the Eastern Conference finals.
Fans will also be able to access the content online through NBA.com TNT Overtime Extra, where a "mosaic" player will offer the ability to watch
the four live streaming camera angles at the same time. Last year, Turner Broadcasting System and the NBA announced an expansion of their longtime partnership -- through which the companies agreed to
jointly manage a portfolio of the NBA's digital businesses, which Turner is operating out of its Atlanta production facility. Based in Atlanta himself, Perez reports jointly to David Levy, president
of Turner Sports, and Adam Silver, NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer.
All told, NBA Digital encompasses NBA TV, NBA.com, WNBA.com, NBADLeague.com, NBA League Pass, broadband
and wireless. In February, Google began offering paid applications through its Android Market for devices powered by the Android mobile operating system.
Charging for apps was expected to give
increased incentive to developers to create Android programs and generate revenue for Google, which is taking a 30% cut of each purchase. The search giant first revealed plans to sell mobile apps in
connection with the launch of the Android-powered G1 phone with T-Mobile last October.