Fans of 49ers football just got more access to the team – virtually, at least – thanks to a major partnership with one of the nation’s media giants.
Comcast, NBCUniversal and the 49ers jointly announced on Thursday a 10-year partnership with the aim of delivering an “unmatched in-stadium fan experience.”
“The mission for Levi’s Stadium has always been to create an unparalleled game day experience through the use of innovative technology,” 49ers CEO Jed York said. “Comcast is the perfect partner to help us achieve that goal, as the services they provide will allow our fans to customize their individual stadium experience through the use of their own mobile devices.”
Together with the 49ers, the off-the-field media team says it will make fan experience Inside Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara like no other.
“Somebody makes a play on the field and you can instantly look up their stats, replays, see what’s going on with that game. Any information you want will be at your fingertips,” said Ted Girdner, vice president of Comcast California.
DOWNLOAD THE NEWS RELEASE ON THE PARTNERSHIP
Here are some of the specific highlights about the partnership:
- Comcast Business Ethernet: Comcast Business will equip the stadium with redundant 10Gbps Ethernet dedicated Internet lines, which will provide Internet access for media and team employees.
- Comcast’s Business VoiceEdge: This service gives stadium employees and front office staff cloud-based voice and advanced unified communications services, including a mobile app so they never miss a call wherever they are in the world.
- Xfinity: Comcast will provide the in-house video feed to all television monitors at Levi’s Stadium, as well as video on demand services in each of the stadium’s 150 luxury suites, allowing patrons to access ancillary programming while attending concerts and other events at the venue. In addition, interactive Xfinity-branded kiosks will be installed throughout the stadium, allowing fans to sample Xfinity products and have a hands-on interaction with new technology. In addition, the iconic XFINITY Couch will be built into two locations within the stadium, allowing a select number of lucky fans to have the “Best Seat in the House.”
- Comcast SportsNet Bay Area: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, the official cable home of the San Francisco 49ers, will air more than 400 hours of 49ers-related programming each year, including 49ers Pregame Live, 49ers Postgame Live, and 49ers Press Conference Live, as well as 49ers Central, 49ers Way, The Faithful, 49ers Preseason Special, 49ers Postseason Special, 49ers Draft Preview and The Gold Standard: 49ers Hall of Fame Inductions. Many of the shows will originate from the network’s new, exclusive television studio – CSN Bay Area Studios at Levi’s Stadium. In addition, the network’s signature shows SportsNet Central and Yahoo! SportsTalk Live will continue to present the region’s most comprehensive 49ers news and analysis, daily insider reports and in-depth interviews with players, coaches, alumni and front office personnel.
- NBC Bay Area: NBC Bay Area, the official broadcast partner of the San Francisco 49ers, will feature unique 49ers content including practice video and exclusive interviews, as well as historical video from the team’s archives. The station will also air 49ers Way and The Faithful, which can be re-broadcast on CSN Bay Area.
“I’m hoping they’ll look at us as an enabler for the technology of the new venue here next year,” said Hank Fore, senior vice president of Comcast California.
And there’s plenty of goodies for the fans at home.
“We have a studio here, that’s going to be a state of the art studio, right across the street from where the 49ers practice. That’ more access to players. During and after the game, we’re going to have more access to the payers,” said Ted Griggs, president of CSN Bay Area.
That’s more access on CSN Bay Area, and on NBC Bay Area, whose headquarters are down the street from Levi’s Stadium.
“We’ve been in the South Bay for about 60 years. This gives us a presence with the 49ers, only four miles away. It’s a really good deal,” said Richard Cerussi, president and General Manager of NBC Bay Area. “We look forward to providing Bay Area viewers with first class 49ers content over the next 10 seasons.”
