NBC Sports Washington Expands Predict the Game, Its Predictive-Gaming Washington Wizards Broadcasts
After eight successful tests a year ago, the RSN will offer 20 games in the gaming-friendly format this NBA season
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On Tuesday, NBC Sports Washington announced plans to expand and enhance its offering of Predict the Game broadcasts of live Washington Wizards games this season. Available on the linear network NBC Sports Washington Plus, Predict the Game is a free-to-play contest built around the live game broadcast where viewers can can win prizes totaling $2,000 per game. The first of 20 Predict the Game formats that will air this season takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 6 (Wizards-Pacers, 7 p.m. ET).
The Washington D.C.-based regional sports network was on the forefront of gambling-specific programming within the live game environment last year when it produced eight similar broadcasts last year. This year, in addition to adding more games, NBC Sports Washington, is also giving the Predict the Game broadcasts more juice with adding on-screen graphics, segments with dedicated on-air talent (the call from the main game telecast will still carry more of the show), and increased prize pools.
“Our predictive-gaming experiments have proven effective in engaging fans and enhancing the already quality experience of live sports coverage, so we are excited to announce a 20-game schedule covering the Wizards with more gaming features integrated,” NBC Sports Washington SVP and GM Damon Phillips said in an official release on Tuesday. “It’s our priority to advance this product in meaningful ways and provide more opportunities for fans to participate.”
On-screen graphics display data related to traditional online betting formats, including money lines, spreads, and over-unders (provided by its partners at the sports book at MGM Casinos), but Predict the Game is a free format where viewers are asked questions with up to five answer options. The game can also be played in sync with the on-screen product via mobile or desktop devices. Points are awarded at the end of each quarter with a new contest beginning each quarter, totaling four contests and $2,000 in prizes per game.
NBC Sports Washington also produced a Predict the Game show around a preseason Washington Redskins game this past summer and a few of the wrinkles introduced there will actually be added to the Wizards viewing experience. Those features include a live leaderboard, result notifications, answer confirmation (if a user got a “bet” right or wrong), updated point totals, and more.
“We are proud of our partner NBC Sports Washington for raising the game when it comes to providing fans with even more ways to enjoy our teams’ live game broadcasts,” Monumental Sports & Entertainment SVP of Strategic Initiatives Zachary Leonsis added in the official release. “NBC Sports Washington’s expanded Predict the Game schedule reflects our joint leadership and investment in the emerging category of gamification, while also providing fans with a unique experience that leverages advanced statistics to enhance their knowledge and insights.”
The 20-game schedule of Wizards predictive-gaming presentations on NBC Sports Washington Plus is:
DAY DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)
Wed. Nov. 6 at Indiana 7 p.m.
Wed. Nov. 13 at Boston 7:30 p.m.
Fri. Nov. 22 Charlotte 7 p.m.
Thu. Dec. 5 Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Tue. Dec. 10 at Charlotte 7 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 18 Chicago 7 p.m.
Thu. Dec. 26 at Detroit 7 p.m.
Wed. Jan. 1 Orlando 6 p.m.
Mon. Jan. 6 Boston 7 p.m.
Mon. Jan. 20 Detroit 2 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 26 at Atlanta 6 p.m.
Mon. Feb. 3 Golden State 7 p.m.
Tue. Feb. 11 Chicago 7 p.m.
Fri. Feb. 21 Cleveland 7 p.m.
Wed. Feb. 26 Brooklyn 7 p.m.
Tue. Mar. 3 at Sacramento 10 p.m.
Tue. Mar. 10 New York 7 p.m.
Wed. Mar. 18 at Brooklyn 7:30 p.m.
Wed. Mar. 25 Phoenix 7 p.m.
Wed. Apr. 1 New Orleans 7 p.m.
