ESPN officially launched an app that will enable sports fans to watch live-streaming action from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU or ESPN3.com. This means that sports fans not near their TVs during a big game, can catch all the action on their iPhone, iPad and iPad Touch. However, this app is not available to everyone. The app is tied with cable TV subscriber Time Warner Cable. When a user downloads the free app called WatchESPN, they are required to enter their Time Warner Cable customer information. Sadly non Time Warner Cable users will not have access.Reviews so far are pretty positive. The biggest complaints are related to the exclusion for non iOS (Apple) users, and those who subscribe to Comcast or other cable providers. Additionally the app is not optimized for the iPad yet, but that is coming soon.
This is an interesting answer to one of my previous articles about YouTube possibly getting into the Live-Streaming arena. ESPN is pretty smart to jump in and stream their networks directly to customers. By owning the streaming of games/matches, fans are further solidifying their relationship with the network. They form the habit of tuning into ESPN on-line or on their TVs as their default go-to sports network. Additionally, fans become accustomed to certain announcers etc. This is a good first step, but ESPN really needs to expand to the hugely popular Android market, then hopefully strike a deal with other cable providers (or cut them out altogether) so viewers across the country can have sports on the go. Ref. emergingtechnicalfoul.blogspot.com, wired.com
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