ESPN is readying a relaunch of its broadband service ESPN360.com, part of its effort to create a true online sports channel that will feature up to 11 live sporting events at once.
The channel, which is currently available to 17 million households and offers some live event coverage as well as clips from some of the channel’s series such as “Pardon the Interruption,” will evolve beginning Saturday morning to focus on live matches from around the world.
“You can’t underestimate the passion people have for niche sports,” said John Skipper, executive VP of content for ESPN. He said the potential for all the small audiences for each of the streaming games to combine into one large audience was strong.
Among the type of events to be streamed live are college football, certain high school events, matches from September’s FIFA Women’s World Cup event and Australian Rules Football. Future sports could include everything from Greek soccer to Venezuelan football.
Show clips that currently run on ESPN360.com will be relocated to other channels.
The site will continue to be free to subscribers of ISPs who have paid to carry the channel. In addition to the ISP fees, ESPN earns revenues through advertising on the site.
The business model presents a clear upside, with Mr. Skipper noting all the events combined wouldn’t cost as much as “two minutes of an NFL game.”
(Editor: Horowitz)