HBO Sets Video Game Play For `24/7 Pacquiao-Cotto' Series

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

HBO Sports will partner with professional video game league Major League Gaming to promote its upcoming 24/7 boxing reality series surrounding the Nov. 9 Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto pay-per-view fight.
The deal calls for MLG to create an online video game tournament using EA Sports' Fight Night 4 boxing video game around the two welterweight fighters, according to Mark Taffet, senior vice president of HBO Sports.
Beginning today, users can register at www.gamebattles.com/HBO247 to compete as either Pacquiao or Cotto in the tournament for a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas for the fight.
HBO's four-episode 24/7Pacquaio-Cotto series premieres Oct. 24, marking the seventh installment of the popular boxing show. HBO hopes the online tournament will help build the appeal for 24/7 among the key youth demographic.
"We are excited about this new endeavor and developing a fun, interactive element for video game players that brings them closer to the HBO 24/7 experience," said Taffet. "We're very pleased to work with a new partner in MLG and create a competitive video game experience that can appeal to new fans of the sweet science."

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.