Dive Brief:

• NBC Olympics has partnered with Intersection to develop custom content from the XXIII Olympic Winter Games and display it across Intersection's urban network of digital screens in New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia, according to an emailed press statement.
• The content will include morning highlights, primetime previews, an Opening Ceremony teaser, medal counts, real-time alerts and athlete profiles. It will be streamed across the LinkNYC network in New York; digital urban panels and platform displays in Chicago; and displays on streets and transit platforms in Philadelphia.
• The events, which take place this year in PyeongChang, South Korea, begin on Feb. 9 and conclude on Feb. 25.

Dive Insight:

Intersection, a company that prides itself on "delivering connectivity, information and content that elevate the urban experience," made a splash in the smart cities world when it partnered with Qualcomm and CIVIQ Smartscapes to roll-out the LinkNYC network in 2016. The kiosks offer a variety of services including high-speed Wi-Fi, device charging and a touch screen tablet for access to maps and direction, and their popularity in the city sparked the company's spin-off collaborations with Philadelphia, Seattle and the U.K.

Key Features

Free Wi-Fi

Every Link is equipped with free, gigabit Wi-Fi, allowing access to high-speed services - about 100 times faster than basic public Wi-Fi.

Directions

A touch screen tablet allows users to access city services and maps, and provides step-by-step directions to destinations or cross streets.

Free Calls

The touch screen tablet is equipped with a microphone, tactile keypad and Vonage app, allowing users to make free calls anywhere in the U.S.

Emergency Calls

A red button below the tablet allows users to instantly connect with 911 in the case of an emergency.

USB Ports

Two USB ports, connected directly to power sources, allow users to charge devices without the risk of data exchange with the kiosk.

Ad Space

Each Link has two 55" high-def digital screens, allowing for public service announcement and advertising opportunities.

Until now, the digital screens that hug the sides of the 10-foot kiosks were mainly used for advertising purposes, or in some cases, to show historic photos from the city's digital archives. With the NBC partnership, Intersection is unlocking the full potential of its kiosks and digital platforms by truly bridging a digital divide and allowing folks who may not have cable access to indulge in the worldwide events. "Our content partnership reflects a new approach to storytelling in cities," said Ari Buchalter, CEO of Intersection, in a press statement.

If the 17-day custom content coverage is deemed successful, Intersection will likely be approached by other networks that wish to leverage the opportunity to expose their content to a more inclusive audience. The "digital storytelling" concept could be expanded to other companies' or cities' digital screens as well, including subway kiosks and billboards.