NBCUniversal has announced a set of updates for Peacock’s mobile app, and the most notable change is the introduction of the vertical video format for live NBA games.
Sports have traditionally been broadcast in wide aspect ratios since they allow viewers to get a better view of the end-to-end action. To optimize the experience for the narrower 9:16 display, Peacock will crop visuals in real time using AI. An image shared by the streamer indicates the focus will remain on the action and follow the ball.
This will be the first time an entertainment app offers live sports streaming in the social media-friendly vertical format, Peacock says. When the feature rolls out in beta this spring, users will be able to select it from Courtside Live. The tab provides options to watch NBA games from multiple unique camera angles.
(Credit: Peacock)
Peacock’s bet on vertical feed doesn’t end there. Starting this summer, the app’s home page will have an infinitely swipeable feed of clips from Bravo shows, such as The Real Housewives. The streamer is calling the experience Your Bravoverse, and it begins with users selecting their favorite shows. Peacock’s AI then creates playlists based on those choices. The company says its library spans about 5,000 hours of footage, from which it can generate billions of clips.
Your guide through the Bravoverse will be an AI avatar of Andy Cohen, Real Housewives executive producer and Watch What Happens Live host. As the AI playlist refreshes regularly, Cohen’s avatar will share insights on ongoing plot developments. A team of NBCU editors will check the avatar’s output for quality and accuracy, Peacock says.
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Earlier this week, Disney+ also launched Verts, a vertical feed featuring content from the media giant’s vast library.
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Jibin is a tech news writer based out of Ahmedabad, India. Previously, he served as the editor of iGeeksBlog and is a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex information for a broader audience.
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