BizJournals Portfolio
Home >   Business Views, Opinions and Blogs >   Business Blogs >   Tech Observer >  

And If You Have A Sixpack Handy Its A Virtual Sports Bar

Tech Observer

by Kevin Maney
Main
First Bytes: Unhappy Bloggers, CBS, Nokia, more   Google's Blog Search: Next Iteration of a Good Idea

Recent Blog Posts

Links

Oct 02 2008 9:06am EDT

And If You Have a Sixpack Handy, It's a Virtual Sports Bar

Kevin Maney writes: I can actually think of only one situation where I'd want to watch video programming surrounded by a lot of strangers, and that would be a big game in a sports bar. And even then, I'd quickly get annoyed with the know-it-all on the stool next to me who has to make a comment every two minutes.


So, personally, I don't see much appeal in a CBS test product called Viewing Room. The idea: You go to the site and choose to watch something being broadcast right then -- like on regular TV. Presumably you're then joining hundreds or thousands of other people watching the same thing at the same time, and there's space next to the video for everyone to post their comments in real time. It's like a mash-up of regular TV and a chat room.

There's a link that works, but when I went there, it seemed like the only choice was "How I Met Your Mother" -- and it wasn't playing at that time.

Anyway, this seems like a decent idea if you're (a) alone, (b) the Super Bowl is on, and (c) you're too lazy to drag yourself to the nearest bar. All you'd need is Viewing Room and a sixpack of Stella. But short of that -- I mean, do I really want to chat with people I don't know and who would actually choose to watch "How I Met Your Mother"? I don't think so.


. □

Comments

If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.


Connect With Portfolio.com
Like Portfolio on Facebook

Come on, like us—you know you want to.

Follow Portfolio on Twitter

Follow us and if you're an innovative entrepreneur, we'll return the favor.

The Mix

Today's top stories, conversation starters, and the back nine business bites.

spotlight on

People & Ideas

Whisky To-Go-Go

Now there's a company that let's you taste your knowledge of fine blended Scotches by mixing a whisky of your own. Read More