Bleacher Report Kicks Off New Lineup of Original Sports Channels on YouTube

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bleacher Report, one of the fastest-growing sites on the Internet and the Web's fifth largest sports media destination with 25 million monthly unique users, today announced the launch of several original sports-themed shows that will make their debut on their YouTube's sports channel this week and next month. 

Today's announcement comes in the wake of Bleacher Report's relationship with YouTube announced late last year that is bringing new, diverse and creative sets of original programming to YouTube users, while creating new opportunities for the content ecosystem across various categories including sports.

"We're really excited to be working with YouTube on this initiative and helping bring great sports content for fans around the world to the Bleacher Report Channel on YouTube," said Dave Nemetz, Co-Founder and VP Video Programming and Production, Bleacher Report.  "Video is great platform for us in delivering content to today's connected viewer looking for information around the teams and topics that fans care most about.  These original programs are a reflection of that commitment and we strongly believe that users will get an enhanced experience from these shows."

B/R 5

Beginning today, users to YouTube will be able to view B/R5, Bleacher Report's daily dose of the five biggest, best or most buzzworthy sports stories of the day, featuring Desi Sanchez (E! News Now and MTV) as the host.  Available Monday through Friday, the daily show covers the hottest games, athletes, personalities and stories across the sports landscape that is delivered through an irreverent and entertaining style that is unique to Bleacher Report.

NFL Draft 365 and Why We Watch

Later this week, Bleacher Report will kick off NFL Draft 365 and Why We Watch on YouTube.  Hosted by Alex Panos (HGTV's "Run My Money" and SNY's "Beer Money"), NFL Draft 365 will be the first show of its kind to provide year round coverage of the lightning rod for discussion and debate that is the NFL Draft.  With speculation, storylines and insatiable appetites for information, NFL Draft 365 will fill that void all year long. Each weekly episode will include a current or former NFL player as a guest analyst, starting with Pittsburgh Steeler QB and two-time Super Bowl champion Charlie Batch. Regular features will include a War Room segment with Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller, in-depth profiles on top draft prospects, and candid memories from current and former NFL stars on their draft experience.

Produced by Jim Forman (Showtime Championship Boxing and ESPN Classic), Sarah Kreiger (The Olympic Games), Amir Ebrahimi (NACHO LIBRE) and Chris Peterson (Top Gear USA), Why We Watch features short form sports documentaries that tell unique stories that capture the emotion and passion inherent in why we watch sports.  Each weekly episode of Why We Watch will focus on a narrative unique to the sports landscape, be it a small story with major significance or a fresh new angle on a well-known event. Initial subjects include female auto racing pioneer Janet Guthrie and Robin Ficker, the NBA's most notorious heckler.

Full Ride

In March, Bleacher Report will unveil Full Ride on YouTube, a weekly show serving information, opinion and analysis about the college football recruiting scene.  Produced by Marc Kohn (Heisman Trophy presentation and NFL Draft), Full Ride will focus on the big programs and five star recruits that make the college football world turn while uncovering diamonds in the rough that might push the next national championship contender over the top.

About Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report (B/R) is the Web's leading publisher of original and entertaining sports content and is one of the fastest growing sports media Web sites in the U.S.  Since launching in 2008, B/R's Web site has grown to an audience of 25 million monthly unique visitors.  The company's distinguished editorial team leads more than 1,000 Featured Columnists and 6,000 contributors, and directs Bleacher Report's unique data-driven approach to creating and programming content.  The result is first-rate sports commentary that gives B/R's audience the stories they want to read in real-time around the teams and topics they are most passionate about.  B/R's editorial content is also syndicated to a number of national and regional publishing partners including USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Philly.com, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle and Seattle PI.  In addition, more than 1.5 million users have subscribed to B/R's sport-and-team-specific email newsletters, which provide a demand driven mix of content that engages a broad array of sports fans.

To learn more about Bleacher Report, visit http://bleacherreport.com/about

Media Contact:
Stephan Pechdimaldji
Sparkpr for Bleacher Report
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415.321.1870

SOURCE Bleacher Report