FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bill Vint | PBA Media Relations
Professional Bowlers Association | 719 Second Avenue, Suite 701 | Seattle, WA 98104

Revamped Xtra Frame Makes Debut in Time for PBA World Series of Bowling
Partnership with NeuLion provides improved video quality, other new features

SEATTLE, Wash. (Oct. 21, 2010) � Back in 2000 when former Microsoft executives Chris Peters, Rob Glaser and Mike Slade purchased by Professional Bowlers Association, one of their visions was to deliver the best in professional bowling to the world via the Internet.

That decade-old vision, introduced as �PBA Strikepass� in its formation days, took a giant step forward on Oct. 18 when a new-and-improved version of PBA�s Xtra Frame joined forces with NeuLion to launch the newest generation of �bowling on the Internet.�

In November 2008, �Strikepass� evolved into Xtra Frame. During the 2009-10 season, Xtra Frame continue its evolution into an advanced online video streaming �bowling channel� that provide PBA fans with live coverage of never-before-televised segments of PBA competition, player interviews, a new �PBA:39x60� television-style bowling magazine, unique insights into bowling equipment and lane play, and more, and it more than doubled its previous subscriber base.

In order to satisfy its growing fan base, the PBA added more and more original programming: live coverage of PBA Senior Tour and regional finals, �state of the bowling industry� interviews with bowling industry leaders during International Bowl Expo, and live coverage of some of the sport�s top future stars at the Teen Masters.

While �Strike Pass� originally was far more visionary than the technology available to most bowling fans at the time, Xtra Frame found itself needing improved video streaming capabilities, improved video quality and faster response time in an age of rapidly-developing technology. That led to the new partnership with NeuLion, a state-of-the-industry online service provider with a proven track record with sports organizations such as the National Football League, National Hockey League, National Basketball Association and hundreds of NCAA programs.

The improvements available with the �new� Xtra Frame will be apparent during the PBA World Series of Bowling, Oct. 24-Nov. 6, at South Point Lanes in Las Vegas where literally hundreds of hours of live programming will be aired. Xtra Frame subscribers will notice:

● Dramatically improved video quality. The old system was limited to a 320x180-pixel aspect ratio and a highly-compressed video streaming code. The Neulion delivery system will be streamed at a significantly larger 480x270 aspect ratio. It�ll stream faster, more reliably and will be compatible for more video platforms as time goes by.

● More original programming. The World Series will include more than 80 hours of live bowling coverage, commentary every day including during qualifying rounds, and more up-close coverage of key players via pre- and post-competition interviews.

● If you miss coverage �live,� you�ll find all content available �on demand� within 30 minutes. And a new easy-to-use archiving system will make it much easier for subscribers to find the programming they are looking for.

● In addition to Mike J. Laneside (aka Mike Jakubowski) and The Lanes Doctor (Jeff Mark), the Xtra Frame crew will include Jackie Bowling (aka Jackie Marinkovich), who will be handling the Powerhouse Locker Room Report in addition to helping out with PBA:39X60 features and in-booth commentary.

● More subscription options. NeuLion�s management of Xtra Frame will allow subscribers to enroll for a full year, for the World Series only, and following the World Series, for a month at a time if that�s what viewers elect to do. Also, during the World Series on a �trial� basis, a daily subscription option will be available for the first time.

● More flexible video platforms. While subscribers may need to install Silverlight software to view some of the older content on Xtra Frame, most future content will not require special software installations other than video players universally in use. And already on the �future development� radar is content that will be compatible with most mobile devices (Android, iPhone, etc.), including mobile apps.

The most important thing to note is that Xtra Frame will have a new Internet address xtraframe

Like any new or re-designed web site, it may take a few minutes to become comfortable with the new �look� of Xtra Frame, but it won�t take long for PBA fans to realize the vision of Peters, Glaser and Slade are coming true at last.

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is an organization of more than 3,800 of the best bowlers from 13 countries who compete in Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, Regional and Senior Tour events. Nearly one million ESPN viewers watch PBA Tour on Sundays during the tour season and thousands watch PBA activities online by using PBA�s video streaming service, Xtra Frame. PBA sponsors include Bayer, Brunswick, Budweiser, GEICO, Golden Corral, Go RVing, Lumber Liquidators, One A Day Men�s 50+ Multivitamin, Pepsi-Cola, Storm Products and the United States Bowling Congress, among others. For more information, log on to the PBA website.


Clyde "Choc" Higa, Editor
http://bowling.bellaonline.com
USBC Bronze Certified Coach
International Bowling Media Association