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TNT Gets Chatty for NBA Playoffs With KnockNok
Live Chat Technology Connects Sports Fans in Real-Time Discussion Groups During the Heat of Hoops Action on TNT OverTime on NBA.com and TNT.tv
| Source: KnockNok
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - May 21, 2008) - Basketball fans visiting TNT.tv andTNT's
broadband channel TNT OverTime on NBA.com during the 2008 NBA Playoffs will
find a new interactive feature: KnockNok chat. TNT has partnered with Los
Angeles-based KnockNok to host a new live, interactive chat technology on
the Web sites. A new vision for chat technologies, KnockNok hosts
dynamically topical micro-chat rooms for major sports and entertainment
events, giving fans the chance to rile one another and share commentary in
real-time.
Going after major players, KnockNok debuted its chat technology on TNT
OverTime for the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend and followed with the 2008
Augusta Masters Tournament in a partnership with Turner Sports' run
www.majorchampionships.com. Leveraging the popularity of blog commentary
and discussion forums, KnockNok gives sports fans and web users real-time
interactivity to make web coverage of live events truly engaging.
"It's refreshingly simple: you log on to the site, and all the fans are
already logged into the chat. Topics change as the fans' interests do, so
you can always find just the right room for what's hot," said Dan Bates,
CEO of KnockNok. "The simplicity of the interface has proven to be our
strongest selling point, tying a chat room to high-profile events drives
the traffic seamlessly, and web users can discuss the event live."
KnockNok's topic-adjusting platform follows conversation threads to
identify the most popular discussion subjects and changes the top featured
chatrooms, accordingly. For simple monetization, display ads next to the
chat window give advertisers space to communicate with fans, and media
buyers working with the event can utilize this space to deliver incredibly
relevant sponsor messages.
"Turner Sports offers an all-access pass to the excitement of the NBA's
Western Conference Finals with unprecedented online coverage and content,"
said Peter Scott, executive interactive producer, Turner Sports. "By
reviving the popular chat feature and offering it during live television
and online coverage, fans can further interact in real time during the
series, allowing them to cheer, debate and discuss all the action as it's
happening."
KnockNok has signed major deals with other major media companies, which
will be announced shortly.
About KnockNok
Based in Los Angeles, CA, KnockNok was founded in 2007 by serial
entrepreneur and technologist Dan Bates. The KnockNok platform delivers
live chatrooms with streaming topics and self-moderation technology to add
interactivity to web coverage of major sporting, entertainment and news
events. Dan is a Former President and Founder of Avant Interactive, an
industry-leading video advertising company, Mindfire Entertainment, a
producer of Feature Films and Television and Extreme Audio Reality the
first interactive audio company for PC and console gaming.
About Turner Sports
Turner Sports, Inc., a Time Warner company, presents some of the best and
most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised sports
programming. With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports' line-up
includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball,
professional golf, PGATour.com and PGA.com.