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Blue Jackets giving fans an app to watch saved videos

September 29, 2015

Columbus Blue Jackets die-hards can now watch post-game recaps, player interviews and video highlights even without an Internet connection.

The Jackets are partnering with digital media company DeskSite for its “DVR for the Internet” app that automatically downloads and stores videos directly to users’ desktops, laptops or tablets, allowing them to view content anywhere and anytime.

The Blue Jackets and DeskSite announced the partnership Tuesday, putting Columbus among the first National Hockey League clubs to offer the product. It’s free of charge – download it here.

DeskSite, which shares revenue from ads with teams, touts itself as a valuable tool for advertisers looking to target a clearly defined audience. Executives have said advertising makes up a smaller portion of the overall content on their site than the advertising you see on typical television broadcasts, according to theIndianapolis Business Journal, which delved into its business model.

The Blue Jackets will first generate revenue through a fixed fee paid by DeskSite and then through advertising if enough people start using it, said A.J. Poole, the Blue Jackets’ vice president of corporate development. He declined to disclose terms of the deal.

DeskSite, based in Orange County, California, has deals with 24 professional sports teams, including the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, according to its website. It lists the Buffalo Sabres as the only other NHL team using the service.

The app is not available on smartphones because DeskSite advertisers are going for bigger screens on desktops, laptops and tablets, according to the Indianapolis Business Journal report.