ESPN has revealed a new “Where to Watch” feature that has been implemented within both its mobile application and official website. The guide will allow sports fans to discover where they can watch sporting events both on ESPN platforms and beyond, including broadcast, cable and regional sports networks and streaming services. Access to the feature is available from all screens on both platforms, providing one-click access to contests taking place across various sports leagues. Fans will also be able to search for events and customize the guide to follow their favorite teams and leagues, enabling an efficient and effective means to determine how to consume their favorite sports teams.
Fans will be able to view all of the sports events taking place throughout the entire day, in addition to the network or service where they can be found. All games taking place on ESPN platforms will also have this functionality built into the search result for pay TV authenticated users and ESPN+ subscribers. Moreover, certain feeds for games being carried by regional sports networks will also be available with one click, which currently includes NESN and Monumental Sports Network. The event database created and managed by the ESPN Stats and Information Group powers the interface by aggregating ESPN and partner data feeds, along with originally sourced information and programming details from over 250 media sources.
“Simplifying discovery of sporting events and where a fan can watch has become increasingly important as sports viewing has become fragmented across networks and platforms,” Brian Marshall, vice president, sports product & technology at Disney Entertainment and ESPN Technology, said in a statement. “ESPN has always been the first stop for sports fans, and as we continue our evolution as the preeminent digital sports platform, we are proud to meet the needs of fans with new features to improve the discoverability of live sports and simplify their consumption journeys.”
ESPN is planning to launch a proprietary direct-to-consumer streaming service next year that will allow users to subscribe directly to the network to watch programming and live sporting events. The network was planning an additional move into the space this year with Venu Sports, a joint streaming venture with FOX Corporation and Warner Bros. Discovery, but that timeline has presumably been altered due to a preliminary injunction being issued by a federal judge at the request of Fubo in an antitrust lawsuit. The three companies aim to expedite an appeal for the decision and are reportedly aiming to resume the launch of Venu Sports before the NFL Playoffs and College Football Playoff in January, according to Matthew Belloni of Puck News.
“We believe that Venu is a pro competitive service,” Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said at the company’s Media Day event on Wednesday. “It is pro consumer, pro sports fan, and we believe it’s giving the sports fan another option, and it’s primarily directed at sports fans that are on the sidelines today, whether they’re on the sidelines because they’ve cut the cord or they’ve never subscribed to the traditional ecosystem.”
