ESPN is teaming with Major League Baseball to offer more HiDef streaming of live sporting events as the 24/7 Internet broadband service ESPN360.com transforms to ESPN3.com next month.
ESPN360.com announced today that it will collaborate with MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) for its technology infrastructure and operations support when the network’s name changes on April 4th.
As part of the deal, the network will use Adobe’s Flash Media Server (FMS) as its core technology. New features and enhancements include customizable widgets with scores, chats, schedules and more. ESPN3.com will also offer more HiDef streaming of live events and additional viewing options via picture-in-picture and split screens.
“ESPN360.com carries a wide variety of more than 3,500 live sporting events online, and continually improving that experience is our top priority,” said John Kosner, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Digital Media. “This new agreement with MLBAM, which deepens our seven-year relationship, brings two leaders in sports video streaming together on the same platform.”
“Our long-term collaboration with ESPN has been defined by a common thread to serve fans first and supporting the new ESPN3.com with our live streaming technology underscores our continued commitment to this goal,” said Bob Bowman, president and chief executive officer, MLBAM.
Programming on ESPN3.com will remain the same, with access to replay, HiDef-quality streaming and milestone markers for select events, geo-targeted ads and more. The network is available at no cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection from an affiliated service provider. It is currently in 50 million households — a majority of U.S. broadband homes — and accessible via dozens of Internet Service Providers nationwide, including AT&T, Verizon, Cox Communications, Comcast, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Charter, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications and more.