Broadcasters both launch watch together services that will be available in time for the return of the Premier League.
Sky Sports and BT Sport are both using the return of the Premier League to unveil new ‘watch together’ services.
Sky Sports’ service is called Fanzone (pictured above), and will be available on the Sky Sports website and app. It enables fans to watch selected matches with friends in a video room and interact while the action unfolds.
Fans will be able to chat about the match and also influence the crowd noise they hear on screen. They will also be able to post predictions, join in-match polls and use Sky Sports stats to fuel the virtual conversation.
Sky Sports is also launching in-match short highlights called Sky Sports Recap. Each game will have a live timeline making it possible for viewers to quickly catch up on the highlights at any point during the match.
Sky Sports managing director Rob Webster, said: “With live sport on hold for over two months, we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how we broadcast in new ways to bring fans together, even if they can’t meet up to watch the match.”
Meanwhile, BT Sport announced it would be launching a ‘Watch Together’ social innovation in “the coming weeks”. This will be introduced through the BT Sport App and enable fans to watch, see and chat with friends in a split screen while the match is being played.
Broadcast Sport understands BT Sport’s shared watching system will be enabled through Sceenic.