WatchESPN Updated With Split-Screen Live and On-Demand Viewing for iPad

ESPN has updated its WatchESPN app with new support for split-screen viewing of content. For example, users could watch a live stream of one of ESPN's many channels while simultaneously pulling up some on-demand video content or live sports scores.

The feature is exclusive to newer iPads and the iPad mini currently, but will be coming to other devices like the Apple TV and Xbox in the future.

AllThingsD has more on how the feature works:

The key here is something ESPN is calling a “live toolbar.” It’s a widget that runs across the bottom of the video screen and lets you pull up data like scores and stats for other games you’re not watching. And, if your attention span can handle it, you can also use it to pull up on-demand video clips, like highlight reels, that you can watch side-by-side with a live feed.

What's new

Introducing the WatchESPN Live Toolbar on iPad! Now you can keep up with news, scores and on-demand video from your favorite sporting events while watching live programming on ESPN.

The live toolbar includes:
- Live TV Lineup: See what's on ESPN's networks and switch to additional ESPN programming without exiting the video.
- Scores: Follow additional games while watching your game on ESPN. Launch video highlights at the conclusion of an event (where available).
- Top Videos: Watch multiple things at once! Keep up with the latest news and highlights right alongside the live ESPN programming you're watching. Rotate your device while watching two videos.

*The Live Toolbar is available on iPad and iPad Mini only.

Also new in 1.7:
- Users connecting from a college or military network now get access to ESPN3 events automatically!
- WatchESPN is now compatible with iOS7.
- "ESPN on ABC" events will now appear in the WatchESPN app. Selecting these events will bring you into the WatchABC app.

As with many of these apps, live streaming is U.S. only and requires authentication through one of these paid television providers: AT&T U-verse, Bright House Networks, Charter, Comcast XFINITY, Cox, Midcontinent Communications, Optimum, Time Warner Cable, or Verizon FiOS TV.

WatchESPN is a free download from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Tag: ESPN

Top Rated Comments

Zoboomafoo

161 months ago

I could see this being cool for TVs in sports bars and stuff, where lots of people might be looking at a single screen, but it seems silly on an iOS device.

When march madness rolls around, we'll be wishing this go quad-screen.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

SamGabbay

161 months ago

Take that Microsoft Surface!

Looks like your ads are no longer relevant.

:p

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Read All Comments

Popular Stories

15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2

Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by Tim Hardwick

Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...

• 50 comments

Apple's Return to Intel Rumored to Extend to iPhone

Friday December 5, 2025 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone. In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues "now expect" Intel to reach a supply deal with Apple for at least some non-pro iPhone chips starting in 2028....

• 150 comments

Jony Ive's OpenAI Device Barred From Using 'io' Name

Friday December 5, 2025 6:22 am PST by Hartley Charlton

A U.S. appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that prevents OpenAI and Jony Ive's new hardware venture from using the name "io" for products similar to those planned by AI audio startup iyO, Bloomberg Law reports. iyO sued OpenAI earlier this year after the latter announced its partnership with Ive's new firm, arguing that OpenAI's planned "io" branding was too close to its...

• 54 comments

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Monday December 1, 2025 2:40 am PST by Tim Hardwick

Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...

• 107 comments

John Gruber Shares Scathing Commentary About Apple's Departing Software Design Chief

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by Joe Rossignol

In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs. On his blog Daring Fireball,...

• 318 comments

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by Tim Hardwick

Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...

• 56 comments

Will John Ternus Really Be Apple's Next CEO?

Friday December 5, 2025 9:01 am PST by Hartley Charlton

There is uncertainty about Apple's head of hardware engineering John Ternus succeeding Tim Cook as CEO, The Information reports. Some former Apple executives apparently hope that a new "dark-horse" candidate will emerge. Ternus is considered to be the most likely candidate to succeed Cook as CEO. The report notes that he is more likely to become CEO than software head chief Craig Federighi, ...

• 178 comments

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by Juli Clover

Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...

• 274 comments

Apple Seeds iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Release Candidates to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by Juli Clover

Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....

• 40 comments

Apple Chip Chief Johny Srouji Could Be Next to Go as Exodus Continues

Sunday December 7, 2025 10:41 am PST by Hartley Charlton

Apple's senior vice president of hardware technologies Johny Srouji could be the next leading executive to leave the company amid an alarming exodus of leading employees, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. Srouji apparently recently told CEO Tim Cook that he is "seriously considering leaving" in the near future. He intends to join another company if he departs. Srouji leads Apple's chip design ...

• 267 comments