New-Look ESPN360.com Delivers Next-Generation
Live Sports Broadband Network

Dynamic New User Interface Advances Video Quality, User Control

Global, Multi-Sport Programming Lineup; Up To 10 Simultaneous Live Events

ESPN has unveiled the re-imagined, new-look version of ESPN360.com, the company’s signature, next-generation broadband sports network. The new look complements a new programming strategy, which transforms the growing service into a 24/7 live sports destination online, dramatically increasing its live programming – delivering more than 2,000 live sports events in the next 12 months, more than ESPN and ESPN2 combined.  The dynamic new user interface delivers those events with highly improved video quality, expanded controls (including live-event pause, rewind and fast forward), and easy navigation between multiple, simultaneous live sporting events.

“This new digital network will deliver a comprehensive lineup of up to 10 simultaneous games through an easy-to-use design, delivering tremendous value to sports fans and our distribution partners,” said John Kosner, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Digital Media.

New-Look ESPN360.com

The new ESPN360.com user interface delivers a sleek, simplified design, giving consumers broadly expanded control over their broadband sports viewing experience.  With the ability to deliver up to 10 simultaneous live events, the fans are at the helm of their own virtual live sports control room – able to view the event of their choice in a main viewing window, while other events continue to play in smaller, live-action thumbnails. Recently completed events will also be available for replay. 

“Creating a simple, elegant interface that is capable of delivering an enormous lineup of live sports is a bold first step,” said Jeff Cravens, vice president and general manager, ESPN360.com.  “We’ll continue to seek out ways to deliver the best broadband experience to fans by marrying technological advancement and quality programming.”

Additionally, the new interface allows fans to see a full programming guide of current live events, recent events available for replay, and upcoming events. The main viewing window delivers a high-quality 640 x 360 image that can be displayed in a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio. The window can also be expanded to full screen or reduced to a compact size. 

Advancing Quality & User Control for Live Online Sports

The new ESPN360.com delivers dramatically enhanced video quality, advancing the fan experience for live sports online in much the same way ESPN’s ground-breaking ESPN Motion video technology did for on-demand online video in 2002.  Not only does ESPN360.com deliver reliable, television-quality video, but it will enhance user controls as well.  Fans are able to pause live events and navigate the video with rewind and fast-forward controls – similar to digital video recorder functionality.  A single click returns the fan to live action.  

Delivering an image up to 400 percent larger than before, the new ESPN360.com dynamically adjusts to allow for maximum picture quality based on both the individual user’s available computer processing power and bandwidth (transitioning smoothly as bandwidth increases, drops or is interrupted).  Further, it can deliver multiple live streams on a single page and enables ESPN to explore HD-like presentation of live sports online in coming months.

ESPN360.com Programming Expansion

As the first full-time, multi-sport, live sports broadband network, ESPN360.com will feature thousands of hours of live online coverage from a broad array of sports, spanning a global lineup of games and events including (but not limited to):

• NBA
• NASCAR (Nextel Cup and Busch Series)
• College football
• College basketball
• Global and U.S. soccer (UEFA, FIFA, MLS, EURO 2008, more)
• College baseball and softball
• College hockey
• College lacrosse
• Global rugby
• Global cricket
• Tennis (including majors: French and Australian Opens, Wimbledon)
• Open-wheel racing (IRL, Champ Car)
• Arena Football League
• Major League Lacrosse
• Global baseball (Mexican, Venezuelan, Dominican, Israeli, more)
• Mexican college football (ONEFA)
• Polo (Argentina)
• Sports press conferences

In the past year, ESPN360.com has seen growing interest and engagement with live sports programming. Recent programming successes include more than 500,000 streams served for UEFA Champions League soccer matches; nearly 320,000 for the 2007 UEFA Under-21 soccer tournament; more than 250,000 for the 2007 Wimbledon tennis tournament and for college basketball (not including the March Championship Week All-Access trial period); and nearly 85,000 for NASCAR Busch series races.

About ESPN360.com

ESPN360.com is available at no additional charge to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection from an affiliated service provider, and is currently available in nearly 17 million homes nationwide.  The service has more than doubled its distribution since August 2006 and will expand again this fall when it will become available to all RCN high-speed Internet service subscribers.

Consumers wanting more information about ESPN360.com, which Internet services currently provide it, and how they can get it should go to www.espn360.com.  

IMAGES

- ESPN360 -