Watching the Open
For the second consecutive year, ESPN2 will serve as the lead cable broadcaster for the US Open, providing approximately 100 hours of TV coverage and more than 260 hours of coverage on its signature broadband network ESPN3.com.
Tennis Channel will provide round-the-clock coverage of the US Open in 2010, with nearly 250 hours of planned total coverage. In addition to live match coverage, Tennis Channel will bring fans up-to-speed with post-match highlight shows and next-day preview shows. Additionally, Tennis Channel will construct a new set off next to Mojitos Restaurant, allowing both cable partners to provide live daily coverage from the US Open grounds.
Microphones in the Players Boxes: For the first time, microphones have been installed in the player boxes in Arthur Ashe Stadium, which will help viewers get even closer to the emotion and drama of the US Open by adding the perspective of the players' guests as matches unfold.
Television Fly Cameras: Two television fly cameras will be installed – one over Arthur Ashe Stadium and one running from the stadium to the food court – which will allow fans a new overhead perspective of the excitement of the US Open.
USOpen.org
The USTA and IBM launch of USOpen.org, now re-designed with enriched streaming offerings, enhanced social media integration and new content.
For the first time, all matches played on the five television courts of the US Open (Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand, Court 11 and Court 13), will be streamed domestically live for free on USOpen.org. Live streaming of all of these US Open matches will have DVR functionality. In all, more than 200 matches will be made available free of charge, including the men's and women's finals.
New features for 2010 include:
Live Streaming: US Open will offer the most extensive live streaming in the history of the event through it's "US Open Live" product, airing all matches from the five television courts, including the men's and women's finals. Streaming up to five matches simultaneously,"US Open Live" will make more than 200 matches available for free within the United States. Live streaming, which will also be available on iPads, will integrate live match stats updates, DVR functionality, fan commenting and picture-in-picture capabilities.
iPhone Application: The USTA and IBM have enhanced the official US Open iPhone Application to include "augmented reality" for the first time. Using GPS and camera functionality "augmented reality" allows fans to scan the grounds and look through walls to check live scores and stats on specific courts, and show locations and distances of food options, restrooms, first aid facilities, wheelchair accessibility and other information around the US Open. The re-designed App will also offer live streaming of USOpen.org Radio and an interactive grounds map – features from American Express, on-demand video clips including match highlights, a streaming Twitter feed of official tournament news and player insights, photos and more.
Site Re-Design: USOpen.org boasts a brand new design for 2010. The new look-and-feel encapsulate the US Open's iconic imagery and "It Must Be Love" campaign while allowing users to more easily access the content that matters to them most. Video clips, scores, draws, stats, headlines, and social media tools are all easily accessible right at the users' fingertips. Additionally, the site has been optimized to be iPad-friendly so all of the outstanding content – including live and on-demand video – will be easily accessible to iPad users with the same functionality as on their computer.