Samsung announced today that it has collaborated with Turner Sports and the Professional Golfers’ Association to develop a Ryder Cup TV app, designed exclusively for Samsung smart TVs. The app will allow golf fans to follow live, up-to-date scores, access exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, and view course information through virtual hole flyovers.
Turner Sports, the PGA, and Samsung developed a similar app for the PGA Championship last month that offered a number of the same features. Fans were even able to use the app interactively with the tournament, by taking part in the “Pick the Hole Location Challenge” hosted by Jack Nicklaus, in which viewers used their Samsung smart TVs to vote in real time and help determine the hole location to be used on the 16th hole during the tournament’s final round.
The new Ryder Cup TV app is now available for download across select 2013 and 2014 Samsung smart TVs. While a companion app is available for both Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, only Android users will be able to pair their TVs to mobile devices for the full multi-screen experience, including casting capabilities and even more exclusive live action and content. In usual Samsung fashion, owners of both a Samsung smartphone or tablet and one of the newer Samsung TVs will also have access to additional exclusive content, though it’s unclear what exactly this doubly exclusive content will be.
The smart TV, iOS, and Android apps each feature Broadcast Mode, which enables users watching the Cup on NBC or the Golf Channel to toggle between various live video feeds, launch an interactive leaderboard, and keep up with their favorite golfers. Also included is a shop feature that enables viewers to buy official event-based merchandise, including Team USA uniforms, directly through their Samsung smart TVs. Users complete the purchase via mobile device or PC.
This year’s Ryder Cup action will run September 23-28 at the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles in Scotland.
