Discovery heads $12M investment round for live sports prediction platform WinView

Discovery Communications is among a group of investors leading a $12 million series B funding round for live sports prediction platform WinView.

WinView Games is an ad-supported service that shows live televised sports and lets users compete in real-time to accurately predict the plays on the field in order to win cash prizes. The games covered by WinView are produced in a live studio by a team of producers based on what is happening in real time, according to a news release.

The money is intended to help WinView develop and market its mobile app to MLB, NBA and NFL audiences. Other investors included Graham Holdings Company, Ted Leonsis' Monumental Sports & Entertainment and LionTree Partners.

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Tom Rogers—executive chairman of WinView who previously served as chairman, president and CEO of TiVo, president of NBC Cable and executive vice president of NBC—helped secure this financing round.

"This first-class group of investors is a major validation of our live TV sports prediction platform and its upside potential to engage TV viewers in a new way to enjoy televised sports," said Rogers in a statement. "The WinView Games app fills a sports culture void by converting fans and TV viewers from spectators into play-along-live participants. Following last fall's successful start, these investments will enable us to take a significant step forward toward reaching our mobile, social and gaming business goals while capitalizing on fan excitement across virtually all professional sports including basketball, baseball and football. We also will strive to be part of the in-stadium experience, enabling fans to predict plays from their seats."

"WinView's products complement Discovery's goal to reach and engage our superfans around the world and across all screens,” said Discovery CEO David Zaslav in a statement. “The company has strong expertise in mobile and sports; a business and engagement model poised to help drive consumption of live content; and a top-notch leadership team. We are pleased to participate in this round of funding to support the growth and development of their platform."