Verizon has teamed up with the NFL to introduce live viewing parties and augmented-reality replay features for the season beginning today.
This season, like many things in 2020, looks different due to COVID-19.
The NFL draft was held virtually for the first time. Between August 30 and September 5, 44,510 tests were administered to 8,349 players and staff. Many teams have set up “bubbles” to reduce the risk of infection and protect their chances of competing for a championship this year.
The pandemic has also changed the live experience. Some stadiums will hold games without fans, while others will allow only limited attendance—often around 10–25% capacity. People are gathering less in homes to watch games as they take precautions to protect friends and family.
To help restore the social side of football, Verizon and the NFL are launching two new features aimed at bringing fans together remotely.
The first feature, Watch Together, lets fans connect via video chat while watching live local and primetime games through the Yahoo Sports app, which Verizon owns. Up to three friends or family members can join a synchronized livestream so viewers can share the game in real time.
Guru Gowrappan, CEO of Verizon Media, said:
“Watch Together is a result of Verizon Media and the NFL’s innovative spirit to deliver next‑gen experiences that create connection and community. Leveraging Verizon Media’s ecosystem, technology and streaming capabilities, we have the unique ability to create powerful and immersive entertainment experiences of the future like no other.”
Yahoo Sports is also introducing an AR feature called Yahoo Sports PlayAR, which provides graphical replays of key moments that fans can view wherever they are. According to the announcement, PlayAR overlays the NFL’s Next Gen Stats tracking data on-screen with enhanced in-game statistics for players, giving viewers more context about important plays.
Watch Together launches today (September 10) in time for the season opener between last year’s Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Houston Texans.
It’s an unusual year, but sports can still help restore a sense of normalcy. Stay safe, and best of luck to the team you’re rooting for this season.
(Photo by HENCE THE BOOM on Unsplash)