New high-quality video player added for March Madness on Demand

CBSSports.com, in partnership with the NCAA, is introducing a high-definition quality video player for its NCAA March Madness on Demand video streaming of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Both the standard video player and the high-definition quality option will be offered free of charge. For the first time, live video and audio streaming will available on iPhone and iPod touch.

CBS officials are expecting continued viewership growth for the service, which has proven to be a hit with office workers. In 2008, NCAA March Madness on Demand reached 4.8 million unique visitors, a 164 percent increase over 2007.

The service (ncaa.com/mmod) already is providing highlights of past NCAA tournaments.

Capel on DirecTV special

OU coach Jeff Capel will join coaches Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Bruce Pearl and Lorenzo Romar on DirecTV’s “Bracket Breakdown,” special, which will debut at 8 p.m. Monday on DirecTV channel 101. … Billy Packer and Bob Knight are teaming up to provide analysis of the NCAA men’s tournament on the five-part series “Billy Packer’s Survive and Advance,” which will air at midnight Sundays on Fox Sports Oklahoma. … Westwood One will continue as the exclusive radio partner for NFL under a new two-year agreement … Clark Kellogg has joined Jim Nantz on CBS’ No. 1 NCAA tournament broadcast team. Other pairings: Dick Enberg, Carter Blackburn and Jay Bilas; Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery; Gus Johnson and Len Elmore; Kevin Harlan and Dan Bonner; Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkel; Craig Bolerjack and Bob Wenzel; Tim Brando and Mike Gminski.

Thank you for joining our conversation on Sports Media. We encourage your discussion but ask that you stay within the bounds of our commenting and posting policy.