March Madness is Approaching and CBS Steps Up!!

CBS has added  Live Streaming over 3G to their iPhone app and for double last year’s price ($9.99), you can watch the game from wherever you are. Keep in mind that last year the app was wifi only which prevented many people from using it. Of course, questions about the reliability of AT&T’s service may concern some users. However, I feel it is a worthwhile investment. Many hoops fans (or bracket fans) will be stuck at work with the CBS Sportsline service blocked from their network. Network administrators read it and weep as this app has the potential for people to sit right at their desk and watch as much basketball as they want to. As the tourney continues, you can run errands, attend events and still keep up with your favorite teams (I am rooting hard for Maryland but would pick Kentucky, Syracuse and Villanova to make deep runs). Here are some quick hits of important facts about the app:

- There is a free ‘lite’ version, which is sponsored by Microsoft that will provide on-demand video highlights from every game, live scores, and news coverage.
- CBS will also launch a free version for BlackBerry, which will be sponsored by Mercedes Benz—but it won’t have live video, or on-demand clips.
- Both the free and paid apps will have an interactive tournament bracket that updates with real-time scores, plus news and the ability to send comments to both Facebook and Twitter.
- The paid CBS iPhone app will also provide live radio broadcasts from Westwood One throughout the entire tournament, and push alerts to the phone to let you know if a particular game has gone into overtime, or there’s a potential upset on the way. (Can I choose to hear only Gus Johnson do play by play??)

Personally, this app sounds almost too good to be true. I plan on purchasing the app (which was released today), and will use it heavily and report back my findings. My only concern is the service and quality of the stream with AT&T using 3G for this app. Click here to download the paid app or the free lite app from itunes and keep an eye out for it for the Blackberry very soon. Android users must wait until next year. The app is on the list to be developed but would not have been completed in time for this years tournament.

Will you be getting this app?

About the Author
I am a developing social and digital media junkie on an adventure through life. Right now I am on the chapter in the book where I live in Los Angeles. Reach me on twitter @ahr19. Thanks for reading my post.
See all posts by Amani.