YouCastr empowers amateur sports commentators

February 25, 2008 08:28 AM E-mail| |Comments ()| Text size – +

Watch out, WEEI. A Boston start-up is launching an Internet service that allows anyone to ape a radio sports talk-show host or mimic a color commentator covering the big game.

According to YouCastr Corp., its technology creates a "real-time, interactive global sports broadcasting network," and the stars of that network could be you.

In other words, anyone who thinks Tim McCarver is a pretentious gasbag can now offer their own World Series commentary. (Think of it as wannabe jock chroniclers engaging in real-time audio blogging.)

"With YouCastr, anyone can become a sports broadcaster," the company said in a press release. "On the simple, yet powerful website, users can easily broadcast live commentary on sporting events and create shows about their favorite local, high-school, college, and pro teams."

What's more, the YouCastr platform allows "broadcasters and listeners to interact live while simultaneously watching or listening to sporting events."

All that's needed is a personal computer, or a laptop, with a microphone and an Internet connection, the company says, and you too can sit in front of your TV while the game's on and offer commentary on the Bruins getting thrashed one more time by those dastardly Habs of Montreal.

And who's your audience? Anyone you're e-mailed in advance with a heads-up. These folks use their PC to connect to the YouCastr website. Then they tune in the game, and instead of the TV announcers, they hear your analysis over their computer's speakers. (And in case you say something dumb, listeners can get into the act by using YouCastr's live chat feature to twit you in text, the company says.)

The service is free for the moment, but YouCastr eventually envisions making money some day by having ads interspersed with your color commentary and by offering a premium package of services to folks who really get hooked on thinking that they're the next Jerry Remy.

YouCastr recently announced a strategic partnership with the CSB School of Broadcasting, just in case YouCastr users are looking to hone their skills.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)