CBS SportsLine in partnership with CBS Sports, CSTV and the NCAA today launched NCAA March Madness on Demand, an online video player that will stream the first 56 games of the 2006 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship as they are broadcast by CBS Sports beginning on March 16th. The broadcasts will be available on NCAASports.com for free. Users can also access MMOD via links on CBS SportsLine and CSTV.com.
CBS thinks MMOD will attract one of the largest audiences in the history of live streaming events on the Internet. Capacity will be available to provide millions of video streams over the course of the Tournament but to manage the anticipated demand during Thursday and Friday, March 16th and 17th, access to the MMOD video player will be managed using a “virtual waiting room.” When demand exceeds peak capacity virtual lines will form. Viewers need to apply for a VIP status to insure quicker access.
Umm…wouldn’t it be a hell of a lot easier to just turn on the TV?
