ESPN has added two new channels to its WatchESPN apps on the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, according to an ESPN press release.
ESPN today officially launched the availability of ESPN Deportes and ESPNEWS on WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the award-winning WatchESPN app and on Apple TV to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider (coming soon to ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members). The launch debuts just in time for the second leg of Spain’s Supercopa Final between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid live on ESPN Deportes at 5 p.m. ET tonight.
The channels are available to authenticated pay TV subscribers with the following cable companies:
- AT&T U-verse
- Bright House Networks
- Charter
- Comcast XFINITY
- Cox
- Midcontinent Communications
- Optimum
- Time Warner Cable
- Verizon FiOS TV
WatchESPN is a free download on the iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]
Top Rated Comments
ESPN and DirecTV
As I understand it, the cable companies (providers) will break all ties with content producers if they sell directly to consumers. That means that producers can't make the leap without FULL confidence that revenue can be maintained. For this to be possible, the install base for devices like the Apple TV has to be comparable to providers' client base.
Obviously a discrete transaction model like we see in iTunes coupled with select, individual subscriptions is the way of the future but content providers seem to have content producers over the proverbial barrel. I'm surprised THIS stuff isn't subject to scrutiny by the DOJ regarding anticompetitive practice. At least here they have a chance to effect long term improvement within a market.
A very large portion of pay TV subscribers (myself included) do so almost exclusively for the sports channels, mainly ESPN. I would rather directly pay ESPN a large percentage of my current Pay TV bill to get access to the ESPN channels. I can't help but think ESPN would make more money selling content directly to the consumer rather than going through a middle man (cable/satellite) that takes a large cut.