Deeper Dive NBC Sports Washington bets on interactive broadcasts

NBC Sports Washington is debuting an interactive Washington Wizards alternate live-game experience tonight to better connect with viewers and sports bettors.The broadcast, which is airing on NBC Sports Washington Plus, features a free-to-play predictive gaming contest with a $500 prize, along with real-time sports-betting data and statistics. Approximately 30 questions will appear throughout the game, allowing viewers to predict various game and player performance outcomes. The interactive game, data and statistics will all appear on a graphics overlay next to the live game broadcast.“Combining the excitement of live Wizards games with engaging predictive gaming and data feeds will deliver a very entertaining experience for viewers, from first-time gaming players to savvy sports bettors,” said Damon Phillips, NBC Sports Washington senior vice president and general manager, in a statement. “The level of interest from fans, partners and sponsors in this area continues to increase, so we are pleased to offer this compelling product this season.”Mark Friedman, director of creative services and advanced technology for NBC Sports Washington, said that around this time last year, his network began posting questions and giving away jerseys and tickets to get fans more involved. The feature ended up getting a positive response from viewers.