A 21st Century Super Bowl

The future is here and it will not only be televised, but it will be in your pocket.

The Super Bowl on February 5th will be an epic grudge match between the NFC Champion New York Giants (who sadly must lose), and the AFC Champion New England Patriots (who will humbly win). Last year’s broadcast netted a record setting 111 Million viewers in the U.S. alone. This year’s game promises to be one for the record books as well.

For the first time in history, the Super Bowl™ will be streamed online, live on www.nbc.com as well as at www.nfl.com. Verizon smartphone users will also have the opportunity to catch the live stream using their NFL Mobile app. The streams will also enhance the experience by adding extra camera angles, live stat updates and in-game commentary and highlights not shown on the TV broadcast.

Working on Sunday? Not going to be able to watch a live stream because your boss just doesn’t understand the historical significance of this momentous event (in which the Patriots will win)? If you have a smartphone you can install the ESPN ScoreCenter app. According to their own description, “Never miss another goal, pitch, basket, try, touchdown or wicket.” Judging by the description, the app covers all kinds of sports, including international contests. Many American fans may not be familiar with what a “pitch” or a “wicket” are, but if you were interested, the scores are waiting for you.

Sporting events have been streamed live over the Internet before. Who can forget the online coverage of the World Cup soccer championships and the mind numbing drone of the Vuvuzelas? The summer and winter Olympics™ have had online streams for certain events in off peak times. How else would I have been able to keep track of the world’s most riveting sport, Curling? Even our own local www.boston.com will have an updating scoreboard right on the front page for people who need a quick peek to keep track. I’m sure that www.winchester.patch.com editor Daniel Marra will be tweeting about the game. You can find him at @WinchesterPatch on Twitter.

So, if you stop by the house on Sunday, don’t feel rejected if no one answers the doorbell. It’s hard to pull myself away from the TV, laptop and smartphone (maybe throw a tablet or two in there as well). Now if I could only find a good Nachos app…