Professional Bowlers Association

The Professional Bowlers Association, the professional league for the sport of  ten-pin bowling, and NeuLion, Inc. (TSX:NLN), an end-to-end IPTV service provider of live and on-demand international, sports and variety programming delivered via broadband, today announced a new online video streaming service available for America’s number one recreational sport - bowling.

The new digital service will continue under the Xtra Frame brand, but will take advantage of NeuLion’s industry leadership in sports video delivery.  Bowling fans will enjoy a new online experience that offers enhancements in video quality plus interactive features that give fans a chance to follow the sport more closely through pause and rewind of live streams, highlights, chat and exclusive content 24/7. 

PBA’s effort to enhance its digital business stemmed from the need to unlock the social potential of the sport for the casual and avid fan.  The official website, PBA.com, is the launch pad for all interaction to the bowling community around the world.  

“Partnering with an established industry leader such as NeuLion is another step in the rapid, continual growth in quality, scope and viewership of Xtra Frame.  Our fans are going to love the added features and benefits and will feel closer to PBA action than ever before,” said Tom Clark, COO and Deputy Commissioner of PBA.  “We selected NeuLion since it gave us a single solution provider and their experience in the sports marketplace was important to us.”

As bowling is also a leading recreational sport in Japan, Xtra Frame will be available for fans in Japan.  NeuLion will implement its multi-language support services to offer landing pages, sign up promotions and order flow in Japanese.

The NeuLion Platform also provides PBA with new opportunities to expand digital revenue with a video syndication player that will be offered to website providers targeting bowling fans.  In addition to premium and subscription services, the Platform offers PBA new ways to attract and activate fans.

“The NeuLion Platform will offer the PBA additional features in the future for e-commerce, auction and mobile video.  As we partner with PBA and build their digital business, bowling fans will find more and more available to them from the partnership,” said Chris Wagner, Executive Vice President of NeuLion. 

The new PBA video service launches this September, in time for the PBA World Series of Bowling which will stream live on the new service starting October 24, 2010.