MSG Varsity, Cablevision's high school sports network, has stepped up in class, adding game streaming for authenticated online customers, and a free app providing scores and highlights for Apple devices.
For authenticated Optimum Online customers, the MSG Varsity App provides access to the live stream of the network, giving Cablevision customers in the channel's four viewing territories -- Long Island, New Jersey, New York City and Westchester County/Hudson Valley/Connecticut -- the ability to watch hundreds of games and other features on the go. This app provides Optimum Online customers with expanded viewing benefits because Cablevision iO digital subs only receive the linear feeds of the action pertinent to their geographic area.
Meanwhile, the free MSG Varsity app for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch offers mobile access to its comprehensive coverage of tri-state area high school sports and activities. The fully customizable MSG Varsity App delivers the latest photos, scores, stories and game highlights to mobile users.
While the app has currently been developed specifically for Apple's IOS system platform, MSG Varsity expects to roll out a version for Android users later this year.
"MSG Varsity is always exploring new ways to share the successes of local high school students with the community," said MSG Varsity general manager Theresa Chillianis in announcing the app. "The flexibility and convenience of the new MSG Varsity app allows users to stay connected to what's happening at their local schools no matter where they are."
More specifically, the MSG Varsity app allows users to customize their mobile device by creating different pages for the teams, schools, sports or activities they want to follow. It also includes social media components, whereby links to articles, photos and videos can be shared via Facebook, Twitter, email and texts.
Speaking of the latter, mobile users can receive text score alerts updating how their son and/or daughter's team or their alma mater is faring, as well as link to online voting for all MSG Varsity interactive contests, including "School Spirit Mania" and "Mascot Dash to the Desk."
"We're taking coverage of high school activities to the next level by delivering MSG Varsity's content right to the palm of our viewer's hands," said Jonathan McCarthy, vice president of digital platforms for MSG Varsity. "MSG Varsity's new app allows users to participate with us whenever and wherever they want -- at home, on the field, or anywhere in between."
