Espn, Microsoft To Deliver Espn3 Via Xbox Live

gangrene · June 15, 2010

ESPN, Microsoft to Deliver ESPN3 Via Xbox Live

This should be exciting and welcome news for North Texas fans since we have several games per year broadcast on the former ESPN 360. Those with an Xbox 360 and Xbox Live will be able to view the streamed video games over their big screen TV. As a PS3 owner, I'm a bit envious. (It's reportedly an exclusive, multi-year deal with Microsoft/Xbox, so don't get your hopes up that they'll add PS3 in the near future.) However, I'd actually consider purchasing an Xbox 360 for this feature alone. I've connected my laptop to the TV for ESPN 360 games in the past, but the Xbox option sounds a bit more practical and frees up my laptop to do other things while still watching the game.

It also wouldn't be a bad idea for Wright Waters to start thinking about negotiating a contract with ESPN to show all non-televised SBC games on ESPN 3.

(Full article posted because it's from a trade magazine and will require a password to view the archive tomorrow.)

ESPN, Microsoft to Deliver ESPN3 Via Xbox Live

June 14, 2010

-By Mike Shields

Microsoft's Xbox is a hugely popular platform for sports games. Starting this November, the gaming console will become home to thousands of real-life sporting events.

ESPN has inked an exclusive, multi-year deal with Microsoft to deliver ESPN3 (formerly ESPN360) via Xbox Live, the Web-based entertainment platform which reaches over 20 million gamers worldwide. That means Xbox Live subscribers will be able to stream over 3,500 live events, ranging from college bowl games to Grand Slam tennis tournaments--as well as on demand video clips and highlights.

The deal marks the first time the ESPN3 will be available to a significant number of viewers on TV. Excluding the small number of Americans who currently connect their TVs to the Internet in some fashion to their computers, ESPN3 is primarily available online only to subscribers of select Internet service providers which are ESPN affiliates, including Comcast, AT&T, Verizon and Cox—representing 50 million households overall.

The pact also presents one of the first opportunities for Xbox to offer its subscribers live content. While the fast growing Xbox Live service has become a central entertainment hub for many users, it's content is composed mostly of movies and TV shows, rather than live television. Xbox users who want to watch live games via Xbox Live must receive their Internet service from those same ESPN affiliates and must also be Xbox Live Gold members.

As part of the new integration, besides live video, Xbox members will be able to see what other Xbox gamers are viewing in real time, and interact with other fans via trivia contests, polls, and prediction questions.

For ESPN, the partnership provides access to a hard to reach demographic (male skewing, entertainment junkie gamers), while helping market the still under-the-radar ESPN3. But according to John Kosner, ESPN's svp and gm of digital media, getting ESPN3 on TV was not the primarily motivator.

"No, it's not about getting TV," he said. "The idea of having a live sporting experience and sharing it friends, that was a novel, interesting new experience [with this deal]. People watch sports on TV all day long. But you have to drop off Xbox if you watch the World cup on TV. This way we get to really embed the live experience in Xbox, and it gives us a chance to be relevant and interesting to a new audience."

eppy4life · June 15, 2010

"Xbox users who want to watch live games via Xbox Live must receive their Internet service from those same ESPN affiliates and must also be Xbox Live Gold members."

This is what's frustrating about ESPN3.com. I'd pay for the 'channel' but can't switch my internet service to one of their affiliates.

Stan R · June 15, 2010

"Xbox users who want to watch live games via Xbox Live must receive their Internet service from those same ESPN affiliates and must also be Xbox Live Gold members."

This is what's frustrating about ESPN3.com. I'd pay for the 'channel' but can't switch my internet service to one of their affiliates.

I actually have FiOS available now after my move here locally in Ft.Worth (Keller) but I ain't going for the $40 extra per month for the bundled FiOS service. I'm sure it's better but it's not $40 per month better. FiOS has espn3 also so it was a tough call. <_<

UNTFan23 · June 15, 2010

I approve. I Just wish they were getting this implemented at the start of the season and not at the end.

ColoradoEagle · June 15, 2010

I actually have FiOS available now after my move here locally in Ft.Worth (Keller) but I ain't going for the $40 extra per month for the bundled FiOS service. I'm sure it's better but it's not $40 per month better. FiOS has espn3 also so it was a tough call.

Wow, what kind of comparison were you making? When I compared, cable with Time Warner was $110 after tax vs. $124 for Verizon. The extra $14 a month is worth it for far more HD channels (better quality, too), better internet, and ESPN3.

Edited June 15, 2010 by ColoradoEagle