NBC News Acquires Stringwire

NEW YORK: NBC News has acquired the user-generated live video service Stringwire, providing it with the means to allow viewers to live stream video content from their phones directly to its control room.

As part of the acquisition, Phil Groman, Stringwire’s founder, is joining the NBC News team as product leader. Groman will be based out of the NBC News Digital Group’s San Francisco office. The service was developed as a way for news organizations to request video from a network of verified contributors with connected mobile devices that are capable of streaming videos across the globe. Stringwire provides the ability to recruit and direct contributors based on their geographical location to instantly receive live footage for breaking news and stories that have a real-time visual component.

"Stringwire is at the leading edge of user-generated video products, with immediate value to our on-air and digital businesses. Long-term, we think there is great commercial potential," said Vivian Schiller, the senior VP and chief digital officer at NBC News. "Phil is an incredibly talented developer and inventor who will bring a wealth of innovative and entrepreneurial experience to the NBC News Digital Group."