DIRECTV Delivers the Ultimate 'Foursome' With 2010 'Masters Experience'
DIRECTV's Expanded Interactive Service Combines New Featured Group Channel and More to Complement CBS Sports and ESPN Coverage of 2010 Masters Golf Tournament
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Apr 05, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DIRECTV is playing another four rounds this year with CBS Sports and ESPN at the 2010 Masters Golf Tournament, offering its viewers the "Masters Experience," an interactive, multichannel broadcast package that will deliver extensive, in-depth coverage of golf's most prestigious event. And for the first time the DIRECTV Masters service will offer a channel that will follow a select group of the world's best golfers as they compete for the coveted Green Jacket.
The "Masters Experience," free to DIRECTV customers and broadcast in HD, will include its signature four-in-one mix channel and a host of other interactive features that will be available during ESPN's coverage of the first two rounds, April 8-9, and CBS Sports' coverage of the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11, from the renowned Augusta National Golf Club. For information visit www.directv.com/masters.
"With anticipation for this year's Masters at an all-time high, we are thrilled to once again team up with CBS and ESPN to offer our customers the best way to experience the majesty and high drama of the Masters Golf Tournament," said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. "Viewers of the Masters will be treated to a new service this year, our "featured group" channel that will follow a select group of players each day, stroke for stroke, as they make their way up and down the second nine holes. We believe this will make for an unforgettable viewing experience for both avid and casual fans of the sport."
The Masters Mix (DIRECTV Channel 701) will display the following four channels: live network coverage from ESPN and CBS Sports; "Amen Corner" will offer continuous coverage as the field plays through the make-or-break 11th, 12th and 13th holes; complete coverage of holes 15 and 16; and "Featured Group" that follows a select group during the morning and afternoon of all four rounds during the tournament.
All of the extra channels will be fully produced with their own production crew and announcers. Customers with interactive receivers can view all four in the Mix and use their remote to listen to any channel's audio or tune directly to the full-screen channel. The Mix also features a real-time leaderboard to keep tabs on all the action.
By pressing the red button on their remote on any Masters Experience channel, viewers can access an interactive leaderboard, or go deeper by selecting "Scorecard" for hole-by-hole stats for each player in the field. Other interactive features include a 10-question Masters Tournament trivia quiz, and a special "Tune To" menu that enables the viewer to tune directly to the Mix Channel, Network broadcast, or any of the three featured channels.
DIRECTV will also offer, exclusively to its customers, The 2010 Masters Preview, on The 101(R) Network, featuring players to watch, changes to the course and other information to enhance viewers' enjoyment. The Masters Preview will also be shown on DIRECTV on Demand a week before the tournament. Additional Masters content on The 101 Network includes the 2009 Masters Official Film, as well as the last five years of official Masters Films. This content will also be offered via a special Masters on Demand page, along with daily highlight packages of the day's action, tournament leaders and notable golfers.
DIRECTV's Expanded Interactive Service Combines New Featured Group Channel and More to Complement CBS Sports and ESPN Coverage of 2010 Masters Golf Tournament
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Apr 05, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DIRECTV is playing another four rounds this year with CBS Sports and ESPN at the 2010 Masters Golf Tournament, offering its viewers the "Masters Experience," an interactive, multichannel broadcast package that will deliver extensive, in-depth coverage of golf's most prestigious event. And for the first time the DIRECTV Masters service will offer a channel that will follow a select group of the world's best golfers as they compete for the coveted Green Jacket.
The "Masters Experience," free to DIRECTV customers and broadcast in HD, will include its signature four-in-one mix channel and a host of other interactive features that will be available during ESPN's coverage of the first two rounds, April 8-9, and CBS Sports' coverage of the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11, from the renowned Augusta National Golf Club. For information visit www.directv.com/masters.
"With anticipation for this year's Masters at an all-time high, we are thrilled to once again team up with CBS and ESPN to offer our customers the best way to experience the majesty and high drama of the Masters Golf Tournament," said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. "Viewers of the Masters will be treated to a new service this year, our "featured group" channel that will follow a select group of players each day, stroke for stroke, as they make their way up and down the second nine holes. We believe this will make for an unforgettable viewing experience for both avid and casual fans of the sport."
The Masters Mix (DIRECTV Channel 701) will display the following four channels: live network coverage from ESPN and CBS Sports; "Amen Corner" will offer continuous coverage as the field plays through the make-or-break 11th, 12th and 13th holes; complete coverage of holes 15 and 16; and "Featured Group" that follows a select group during the morning and afternoon of all four rounds during the tournament.
All of the extra channels will be fully produced with their own production crew and announcers. Customers with interactive receivers can view all four in the Mix and use their remote to listen to any channel's audio or tune directly to the full-screen channel. The Mix also features a real-time leaderboard to keep tabs on all the action.
By pressing the red button on their remote on any Masters Experience channel, viewers can access an interactive leaderboard, or go deeper by selecting "Scorecard" for hole-by-hole stats for each player in the field. Other interactive features include a 10-question Masters Tournament trivia quiz, and a special "Tune To" menu that enables the viewer to tune directly to the Mix Channel, Network broadcast, or any of the three featured channels.
DIRECTV will also offer, exclusively to its customers, The 2010 Masters Preview, on The 101(R) Network, featuring players to watch, changes to the course and other information to enhance viewers' enjoyment. The Masters Preview will also be shown on DIRECTV on Demand a week before the tournament. Additional Masters content on The 101 Network includes the 2009 Masters Official Film, as well as the last five years of official Masters Films. This content will also be offered via a special Masters on Demand page, along with daily highlight packages of the day's action, tournament leaders and notable golfers.
