<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=10zRr5_0vDEJSWS00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=10zRr5_0vDEJSWS00" width="1280" height="721" > BRISTOL, CONN. — ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro sees a world where sports fans could open his company’s app and view a personalized version of SportsCenter focused on their individual interests. In fact, he said Wednesday, that world could come as soon as next year, when ESPN launches a new direct-to-consumer service. <a href="https://www.sportico.com/business/media/2024/pat-mcafee-espn-reporters-stephen-a-smith-1234795335/" rel="nofollow"> Pat McAfee Is Pure Hell on Reporters, but ESPN's Bears Are Much Scarier </a> ESPN staff is currently “all hands on deck” preparing the new product, Pitaro said, which will include access to ESPN’s traditional linear networks programming as well as its digital-only feeds for one price. During a media event in Bristol, Conn., Pitaro emphasized the new features that would launch alongside that offering next year, including improved personalization options.&nbsp;The strategy is intended to help ESPN maintain its sports media primacy beyond TV. ESPN has also talked to leagues and other media leaders about distributing local, in-market games through its growing platforms. “We believe that reach is a very valuable asset to the leagues. If they’re focused on attracting or speaking to as many of their fans as possible, why not also make it [available within the ESPN ecosystem],” Pitaro said. “We’re not at all asking for or requiring exclusivity. … Let’s take advantage of the fact that we are the starting point for sports fans.” Numerous teams have launched their own direct-to-consumer services as the cable subscriber base continues to shrink. Already, ESPN has done deals with NESN and Monumental Sports to create link-outs to their digital platforms.&nbsp;In theory, future partnerships could include the ability for fans to authenticate those types of subscriptions within the ESPN app. Deals could also take place at the league level—if, for instance, MLB or the NBA take over a collection of local media distribution responsibilities. <a href="https://www.sportico.com/business/media/2024/espn-slogan-worldwide-leader-pitaro-linkedin-1234795267/" rel="nofollow"> ESPN Drops 'Worldwide Leader' Moniker--Except on LinkedIn </a> “We want to be at least part of the solution here,” Pitaro said. “If you are within the ESPN environment, we can geotarget you, recognize where you are, and serve you local, in-market games. And so we have made that point to various leagues—the various commissioners—that we are very interested in stepping up here.” By next year, ESPN’s app is expected to include features including the ability to view multiple games at once (that option is currently limited to Apple TV devices) or keep tabs on ESPN Bet wagers alongside the live feed. Both personalization features and potential local game rights point towards ESPN’s evolution from a single, international cable network to a multiplatform “ecosystem” in Pitaro’s words. Going forward, ESPN aims to fit into different sports fan routines in new ways, anchored by the company’s signature games and studio content. “We know that this can’t be as simple as just flipping the switch,” Pitaro said of launching the new service, which does not yet have a public name or price. “We also know that our product needs to be enhanced.” <a href="https://www.sportico.com/business/media/2024/espn-12-year-us-open-tv-rights-extension-1234795145/" rel="nofollow"> ESPN Inks 12-Year, US Open TV Rights Extension </a></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

AI SportsCenter, Local In-Market Games Could Boost New ESPN App


				













	BRISTOL, CONN. — ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro sees a world where sports fans could open his company’s app and view a personalized version of SportsCenter focused on their individual interests. In fact, he said Wednesday, that world could come as soon as next year, when ESPN launches a new direct-to-consumer service.Pat McAfee Is Pure Hell on Reporters, but ESPN's Bears Are Much Scarier




	ESPN staff is currently “all hands on deck” preparing the new product, Pitaro said, which will include access to ESPN’s traditional linear networks programming as well as its digital-only feeds for one price. During a media event in...

AI SportsCenter, Local In-Market Games Could Boost New ESPN App

Comments / 0