Next-generation mobile app experience for live sports streaming —
including first-ever live video watch party feature within a team app — launches June 19
MIAMI (June 17, 2021) – Inter Miami CF will debut a suite of major enhancements to its match-day live-streaming experience that will showcase — among other things — a first-of-its-kind “watch party” feature that gives fans the ability to enjoy Inter Miami’s matches while video-chatting with family and friends.
Available free within the Inter Miami mobile app beginning with the club’s Saturday, June 19, away tilt against DC United, fans within Inter Miami’s broadcast rights territory will be able to live-stream locally televised matches featuring a variety of breakthrough interactive capabilities that promise unprecedented levels of live, in-game engagement.
Among the features – available in both portrait and landscape (or “full-screen”) video modes:
- Watch Party: Industry-first “watch party” capability that enables fans to conduct a group video conversation with up to eight friends — while simultaneously viewing live match coverage. In full-screen mode, participants’ thumbnail images “float” atop the game action, allowing fans to reposition them on-screen and in-stream — for maximum game enjoyment.
- Live Chat: Full-featured private messaging within the live viewing experience, ensuring that fans don’t miss a second of fútbol while chatting with their friends.
- Real-Time Stats: Fans will have access to live, in-game stats, all without ever having to leave the live action on the pitch.
- Social Engagement: Acknowledging that many fans enjoy sharing and keeping up with social media chatter throughout matches, a social engagement feature will offer a non-disruptive way to stay on top of the conversation without missing a goal.
Powered in partnership with pioneering video technology firm StreamLayer, together with data partner, Pumpjack Dataworks, these new interactive video features further build upon Inter Miami’s mobile app first approach, having introduced live-streaming of matches for the club’s international fan base during its inaugural season in 2020. This was a first for the sporting industry.
“Inter Miami prides itself on bringing fans closer together and connecting people through fútbol and technology to enjoy the beautiful game,” said Mike Ridley, Inter Miami CF’s SVP of Brand & Marketing. “This new endeavor powered by StreamLayer and Pumpjack Dataworks is the most advanced live-streaming technology in sports, and we’re excited to invite fans to watch along with us on this dynamic new platform.”
“StreamLayer is thrilled to be partnering with Inter Miami, one of the most forward-thinking teams in all of professional sports,” said John Ganschow, CEO, StreamLayer. “Inter Miami is constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to fan engagement, so it’s fitting that they’ll lead the industry in transforming the livestreaming experience, too.”
As the 2021 season moves forward, look for Inter Miami to add new functionality to the in-app experience — including enhancements such as gamification, e-commerce and creative sponsorship integrations.
“The addition of watch parties for Inter Miami live streaming is a perfect fit to the fan-focused strategy established by IMCF,” said Tom Tercek, Pumpjack Dataworks Co-Founder. “The mobile-first initiative prioritizes innovation and fan engagement.”
About Inter Miami CF
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, known as Inter Miami CF, is an American professional sports team in Major League Soccer. The team made its debut in March 2020 and became only the seventh expansion team in MLS history to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs. Inter Miami plays and trains at its 34-acre centralized facility, which is inclusive of the 18,000-capacity DRV PNK Stadium, a 50,000-square-foot training center and seven fields in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In addition to the MLS team, the Club fields the USL League One team Fort Lauderdale CF and a youth Academy for ages U-12 to U-19. The team will continue to play matches in the Fort Lauderdale facilities until its Miami Freedom Park stadium project is finalized.
About StreamLayer
StreamLayer is the revolutionary audience engagement platform that redefines the way viewers experience live video. StreamLayer’s proprietary Video Engagement Operating System (VEOS) enables content programmers and broadcast rights holders to transform linear streaming video feeds into personalized interactive viewing experiences – seamlessly integrated into their own native app environments. StreamLayer VEOS empowers live video producers to offer a limitless array of hyper-personalized features and customized viewing options – from private watch parties and real-time statistics, to e-commerce and in-play sports betting – all elegantly within the linear video experience.
About Pumpjack Dataworks
PumpJack Dataworks is a Customer Data Platform (”CDP”) that increases the productivity, value, & revenue potential of fan data for Sports Teams, Leagues & Federations. The platform extracts and refines 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party data sources and optimizes it for clients to generate direct & indirect revenue streams. Clients include: Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Williams Racing (F1), Philadelphia Eagles [NFL] Osprey’s Rugby [Pro14], Hong Kong Rugby, World Table Tennis, and more.###
