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New, Re-Imagined ESPN App – with ESPN+ Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Service – Launches to Sports Fans Today

April 12, 2018 9:33 AM

BURBANK, Calif. & BRISTOL, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The new ESPN App launches today with a completely re-imagined experience that includes the seamless integration of ESPN+, the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer premium subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International group, in partnership with ESPN. At launch, the new ESPN App will be presented by Audi and ESPN+ will be backed by American Express.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180412005734/en/

The new ESPN App launches today with a completely re-imagined experience that includes the seamless ...

The new ESPN App launches today with a completely re-imagined experience that includes the seamless integration of ESPN+. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Already the industry benchmark and number one sports app, the new ESPN App – now combined with ESPN+ – elevates the digital sports experience, giving sports fans the premier, all-in-one digital sports platform with easy access to all of ESPN’s news, scores, analysis, video and audio content. With enhanced design and mobility in mind, the new ESPN app and ESPN+ are available across mobile and connected living room devices -- with an optimized experience for each platform.

“This next-generation app is ESPN’s most sophisticated and elegant digital product experience, and a central piece of our next era of innovation,” said James Pitaro, ESPN President and Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks. “No one is in a better position than ESPN to serve sports fans. With this launch, fans will find a re-imagined, easy to use and increasingly personalized experience that puts all of ESPN’s incredible content at their fingertips like never before. With the exciting introduction of ESPN+, they’ll also get more sports content than ever, with direct access to thousands of live games, incredible original programs and an unmatched on-demand library, all at a great price.”

Added Kevin Mayer, Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer and International, The Walt Disney Company, “The launch of ESPN+ marks a new era of innovation for The Walt Disney Company, defined by a direct and personal relationship with our consumers. This product reflects our new direct-to-consumer strategy focused on combining our incomparable brands and unmatched content with industry-leading technology to give users an unparalleled digital experience. With BAMTECH Media’s state-of-the-art video platform, ESPN+ delivers an incredible experience for fans with a rich slate of content only ESPN can deliver.”

THE ESPN APP PRESENTED BY AUDI: THE PREMIER, ALL-IN-ONE DIGITAL SPORTS PLATFORM

The new ESPN App presented by Audi is now more personal and dynamic than ever – delivering a unique experience to every fan, while also enabling meaningful curation and presentation from ESPN’s unmatched storytellers, journalists and content creators. Its design and technological platform elevates the leading sports app to new levels of quality and gives fans a premier, all-in-one digital access point for everything ESPN offers, including:

The app’s new design delivers a rich, easy-to-use interface that enhances personalization and discoverability – presenting content in a myriad of ways to customize it to each individual fan. The powerful technological platform surfaces ESPN content based on favorite teams, sports and leagues as well as ESPN’s award-winning journalism and personality, anytime, anywhere, better than ever.

On mobile devices, the ESPN App has five primary navigation menus:

On digital living room devices, the ESPN App delivers a dynamic and comprehensive sports streaming experience, with four primary navigation menus:

ESPN+ BACKED BY AMERICAN EXPRESS: MORE SPORTS. MORE GAMES. MORE ESPN

ESPN+ backed by American Express leverages BAMTECH Media’s video and commerce platform to offer fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA Tour golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more.“For the launch of ESPN+, our focus has been on applying the innovations in direct-to-consumer technology we’ve built at BAMTECH over the years to create an all-new best-in-class consumer experience that brings sports fans more of the content they love, wherever, whenever they want,” added Michael Paull, President, BAMTECH Media. “ESPN+ launches with several exciting product features, including an upgraded HD stream quality to make the action crisper and cleaner, and decreased video load time, getting fans into the live action faster.”

As part of a subscription to ESPN+, fans will receive app and streaming experience enhancements that include:

At launch, the new ESPN App with ESPN+ will be available on the following devices and platforms, with more to follow:

ESPN+ PROGRAMMING

Subscribers will have access to a programming lineup powered by four key pillars of content that include thousands of live sports events, high-quality original shows and films, exclusive studio programs and an unmatched on-demand library.

LIVE SPORTS – Thousands of games and events from professional leagues and international sports as well as college sports from nearly two dozen conferences across the country, including:

ORIGINALS – Exclusive, original content developed specifically for ESPN+, including original documentaries, docu-series and more.

SHOWS – New and exclusive ESPN studio programming devoted to multiple sports and sports topics, including:

LIBRARY – An unmatched sports archive featuring thousands of hours of on-demand programs and past sporting events. At launch, this includes:

For more information and the latest updates regarding ESPN+, visit the ESPN+ Media Kit.

* Blackouts Apply

About Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International

Comprised of Disney’s international media businesses and the Company’s various streaming services, the Direct-to-Consumer and International segment aligns technology, content and distribution platforms to expand the Company’s global footprint and deliver world-class, personalized entertainment experiences to consumers around the world. The recently announced segment is responsible for The Walt Disney Company’s direct-to-consumer businesses globally, including the ESPN+ sports streaming service, programmed in partnership with ESPN; the upcoming Disney-branded direct-to-consumer streaming service; and the Company’s ownership stake in Hulu. As part of the Direct-to-Consumer and International segment, BAMTECH Media, developer of the ESPN+ and Disney-branded streaming platforms, oversees all consumer-facing digital technology and products across the Company.

About ESPN

ESPN, Inc. is the leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia sports assets with over 50 business entities. Reaching fans across television, digital media, audio, print and more, it has unparalleled scope, scale, consumption and brand strength. Based in Bristol, Conn., the company is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

ESPN

Paul Melvin, +1 (860) 766-5069

[email protected]

or

BAMTECH Media

Jessica Casano-Antonellis, +1 (646) 968-3024

[email protected]

or

The Walt Disney Company

David Jefferson, +1 (818) 560-4832

[email protected]

Source: The Walt Disney Company

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