NEW YORK, N.Y. (January 26, 2010)-VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the country, announces the re-launch of its website, VERSUS.com. The completely revamped site, designed by Code And Theory, comes on the heels of the monumental online growth seen in 2009 over 2008 with unique visits increasing 74 percent, page views growing 68 percent and video usage increasing 69 percent. The highlights of the new website include an enhanced social media platform, high-definition video and new user engagement and upload tools.
“Last year, VERSUS.com made great headway by bringing millions of new sports fans to the site. Now we’re positioned to leverage that momentum and super-serve our fans by delivering more robust content to our audience,” said Neal Scarbrough, Vice President of Digital Media for VERSUS. “We’re really excited about this dynamic new visual experience that not only will meet the demands of our visitors and partners but also will allow VERSUS.com to evolve into a top sports destination.”
The new VERSUS.com is centered around community; instead of telling fans what to read and what to think, VERSUS created an online destination that includes the user in the conversation. At every turn site visitors are asked to pick, play, vote and vent; and users will be able to join or create a group, add photos, upload videos or create a blog. Additionally there are more interactive games and a “Smack Talk” section for visitors to talk for and/or against their favorite team or player.
The site also features an overhauled video player which now features fully HD video offerings with broadcast-quality editing as well as increased capabilities for live streaming. The network completed its first live stream of the year on Sat., Jan. 23, with the final stage of the Tour Down Under; the first cycling competition of the year on the UCI ProTour calendar which also marked the debut of the U.S.-based Team RadioShack® led by seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.
VERSUS.com will continue to be a destination for viewers to find out anything and everything about the sports and programs airing on the network. From editorial coverage from some of the leading voices in the sports world to exclusive interviews, as well as highlight videos and information about standings and statistics, the new VERSUS.com has it all. The new site is also inclusive of the former VERSUSCountry.com site which was the online home for the network’s outdoor programming.
VERSUS the fastest growing sports cable network in the country prides itself on super-serving passionate sports fans across all platforms (VERSUS.com, VERSUS on Demand and VERSUS HD). The network is the cable television home of the National Hockey League (NHL), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Professional Bull Riders (PBR). VERSUS also has partnerships with top sports leagues such as NASCAR, NBA and UFC and airs collegiate sports featuring nationally-ranked teams from top conferences such as the Pac-10, Big 12 and Mountain West. The network is also home to the best outdoor programming on television and airs original programs not available anywhere else, including Sports Soup and Sports Jobs with Junior Seau. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.
