DIRECTV’s New GameSearch™ Technology Guides Fans Whenever Blacked-out Game is Available on Another Channel
DIRECTV scores another first in sports broadcasting technology with GameSearch™, a new search-engine based technology that illuminates the problem of local sports game blackouts for frustrated fans. When a DIRECTV receiver is tuned-in to a channel with a blacked-out game, GameSearch™ recognizes the blackout and immediately looks to see if the game is on another channel.
Sports blackouts, a long time source of frustration and confusion for sports fans, occur when a sporting event is not televised in a certain market to protect the teams, the sports leagues, and the stations, who are the rights-holders to the game broadcast. Regardless of the specific sport or league, the end result is always the same – perplexed fans frustrated at the inability to view their desired game broadcast.
“Blackouts have always been the bane of sports fans and while we can’t make them go away, we can be the first to make it easier for fans, who have been left in the dark, to find their game if it’s being broadcast on another channel,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president of DIRECTV Entertainment. “Like our HD and interactive services, GameSearch is another DIRECTV technological innovation developed in response to what our customers want and what will provide them with the ultimate viewing experience.”
GameSearch will automatically recognize when the DIRECTV receiver is tuned-in to a channel with a sports blackout. The search engine will immediately scan the DIRECTV channel lineup to find alternative channels that may be broadcasting the blacked-out game. If a non-blacked out broadcast of the game is found, GameSearch displays an on-screen message giving the viewer the option to tune in to that channel. If a non-blacked out version is not available, an on-screen message will let the viewer know the game is not available. When a game is scheduled to be recorded on a DVR, GameSearch will find the game that is not in black-out and automatically record it.
The GameSearch technology is free of charge to DIRECTV customers and is now available to customers with DIRECTV’s top-of-the-line HD DVR HR20 and HR21 receivers, as well as the just-released R22 SD DVR. Later this year the service will be rolled out to basic DVRS (R15 and R16) and next year to HD (H20 and H21) receivers.
About DIRECTV, Inc.
DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTV – News), the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 17 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with 95 national HD channels – more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for eight years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.
