What We Learned About ESPN’s New Streaming App
A new chapter in ESPN history unfolded before our eyes yesterday, when The Worldwider Leader officially launched its new streaming service.
“This is a defining moment not just for ESPN, but for how sports are experienced in the digital age,” explained ESPN head Jimmy Pitaro. For the first time, fans will have direct access to the full ESPN ecosystem — live games, studio shows, original content, and our entire portfolio of 12 networks — all in one place. That’s a whole new way in which we can connect with our audience.”
Photo: Disney
The ESPN App Has Two Tiers
Designed to give fans more flexibility than ever before, the new ESPN direct-to-consumer app will offer two plans. The first will be an unlimited plan that provides fans with access to all ESPN networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, and ESPN Deportes. Additionally, they will have access to ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX.
Photo: ESPN
This tier will offer 47,000 live sporting events, on-demand replays, ESPN’s studio shows, and more.
In addition to the new unlimited plan, fans can also subscribe to a select fan, which essentially replaces the current ESPN+ offering. This package does not give fans access to ESPN’s linear networks; however, it does cover more than 32,000 live events.
ESPN
“It is about giving fans the choice and flexibility, so they can subscribe however is best for them,” Adam Smith, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Disney Entertainment & ESPN, explained.
New Features
In addition to its cache of content, the new ESPN features numerous exciting new figures. These include:
- Verts: Verts is a new section on the ESPN app on mobile devices, providing fans a swipe-able, personalized vertical video experience that reimagines and modernizes how they view video in the ESPN mobile app. The “Verts” tab is now a part of the core ESPN app product navigation, and it features a personalized feed of video, including news, highlights, viral clips, analysis, and curated Social Content.
ESPN
- StreamCenter: StreamCenter is a new, modern two-screen experience that allows fans to establish a synched connection between the ESPN app on their TV and mobile as they watch a live event.
- Interactive Features: On Connected TV’s fans will now be able to access integrated live game stats, real-time ESPN Fantasy stats and results, live ESPN BET information, personalized in-game commerce, and more — all through a series of easily opened and closed interactive content panels alongside their live viewing.
- Multiview: Fans can watch up to four games simultaneously on the ESPN App on connected TV devices. ESPN first launched Multiview on select connected TV devices in 2017 and it is now extending this feature across all major platforms.
Photo: ESPN
- Catch Up to Live: Highlights are part of ESPN’s DNA. The new Catch Up To Live feature allows fans to watch quick-turn highlights of all the key plays they may have missed during a live game already in progress.
ESPN’s new features are available to ALL subscribers, regardless of their tier.
‘SportsCenter For You’
Finally, there is SportsCenter For You.
Photo: ESPN
Launching in Beta, SportsCenter For You is a personalized daily version of SportsCenter, tailored to each fan’s favorite sports and teams.
“We thought ‘What if we could take the iconic SportsCenter and expand on what that brand can mean to fans,’” explains Smith. “SportsCenter is this singularly amazing show that is produced to reach millions. With SportsCenter For You we’re flipping that on its head — saying ‘what if we created millions of shows… personalized for you, individually.’ To do that, we leverage artificial intelligence, the expertise and sensibilities of ESPN storytellers, the voices & style of our talented announcers — scaled out via AI in partnership with them — and ESPN’s unmatched video library and infrastructure.”
ALL Content Will Be Available to Unlimited Subscribers
One of the big questions surrounding the new ESPN app’s launch involved the network’s deal with the NFL.
ESPN
According to Smith, fans with an ESPN Unlimited subscription will get access to the new NFL content, including the NFL Network and RedZone.
What About Cable Subscribers?
Finally, we got some clarity about how the new ESPN app will work for television subscribers.
Those who have access to ESPN’s family of networks through their cable subscription will be able to authenticate their subscription through the ESPN App to access their content.
Photo: ESPN
There will, however, be some app-exclusive content which will only be available to streaming subscribers.
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