By: Aseem Gaurav, April 8, 2011 (New Delhi)
iPad and iPhone users will now be able to watch Walt Disney’s ESPN live on their devices.
ESPN said it has made available its flagship cable sports network live on Apple’s mobile devices for subscribers to pay-TV service from Time Warner Cable, Verizon Communications and Bright House Networks.
To watch ESPN channels you have to download the free software from Apple's App Store and view ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com on Web-connected iPad, iPhone or iPod. That too without commercials!
The move by ESPN comes after Cablevision Systems and Time Warner Cable recently launched their own free iPad apps that provide live cable TV programming to their video customers on the iPad tablet.
ESPN is the most-watched sports channel in the United States. It broadcasts a wide variety of sporting events, ranging from major sports playoffs to lumberjack contests and poker.
The recent spate by the mainstream US television media is an effort to take its business model right to the digital media which holds great potential for the future since a lot of users have now started using online videos and are embracing new media devices with enthusiasm.
"We're always innovating at ESPN, but this is re-energizing the company in terms of things we can do by exploiting technology to serve sports fans, which is our mission," said Sean Bratches, ESPN's executive vice president of sales and marketing. "This is where the marketplace is heading."
Users must enter their cable subscriber credentials after downloading the free software to access the ESPN channels. A version optimized for the iPad will be released in May, the company said. ESPN said it plans to make the software available on other phones and tablets “in the near future.’’
“This is a natural evolution,” Richard Greenfield, an analyst at BTIG LLC in New York said. “It shows the complexity of a world that relies on living-room viewing transitioning to one where people watch television anywhere and everywhere.”
ESPN’s ad revenue from online and mobile viewing is expected to grow from the current levels and add to the network’s total revenue.
