ESPN Lays Out ‘X Games Everywhere’ Initiative; Includes 25 Hours of Live Coverage
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During X Games 17, fans will be able to consume original X Games content on more platforms than ever before. ESPN will televise 25 hours of live HD programming on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN on ABC, July 28-31. In addition to the nine live competition shows, X Center will air nightly on ESPN2. ESPN 3D will televise 21 hours of X Games 17 live. ESPN3.com will stream 29 total hours, including more than six hours of original X Games content. The event will also be televised in more than 192 countries and territories to more than 232 million homes.
This year, viewers will be able to connect with the X Games in unprecedented ways. Content will be available via television, smartphones, tablets and online through digital and social media platforms. On Saturday, July 30, from 2 – 6 p.m. ET, ESPN will debut X Games Everywhere with unique live content simultaneously projected across every platform and device. The new content initiative will also enhance, add dimension and establish a two-way conversation between ESPN, athletes, fans on-site and those viewing the competition with a companion screen through XGames.com
“The X Games is a truly unique brand that is relevant to a wide audience around the world and especially to youth. Applying our best available screen approach to the production and distribution of X Games content is the perfect way to demonstrate this relevance and provide unique experiences for fans at the event and around the world.“ said Scott Guglielmino, senior vice president programming and X Games Franchise. ”Our content strategy around X Games 17 will provide exciting ways for fans to interact with the event, the athletes and sponsors like never before.”
Television
X Games 17 will be hosted by Sal Masekela for all 25 hours of live HD coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN on ABC. ESPN anchor Dana Jacobson will return to host X Center nightly on ESPN2. ESPN 3D will telecast 21 hours of X Games 17 live.
A prominent collection of action sports legends will join Masekela on the air. Tony Hawk, Jeremy McGrath and Dennis McCoy return to the telecast this year. New additions to the team include Kevin Robinson, Toby Moody and Emile Bouret. Moody will serve as the play-by-play commentator for the Rally Car events while Hawk, McGrath, McCoy, Robinson and Bouret will be analysts for the Skateboard, Moto X, BMX Freestyle and Rally Car competitions.
Online
ESPN3.com will carry 29 total hours of coverage, including more than six hours of exclusive coverage. In addition, ESPN3.com will allow users to partake in a live ride-along during Rally Car Racing on Saturday, July 30th with exclusive in car camera coverage.
XGames.com will provide comprehensive on-site coverage, delivering cross-platform schedule information, instant results, breaking news, event recaps and live commentary with analysis by sport experts during select events. ESPN’s official website of the X Games will also have enterprise feature reporting around the marquee events and athletes of the event, as well as daily full bleed photo galleries shot by the best creative talent in the action sports industry. XGames.com will also feature video from every medal run at the event, along with daily highlight video and behind-the-scenes, high-access original video.
XGames.com/realstreet will be the on-line home of X Games Real Street. With the return of Real Street, 16 of the world’s best street skateboarders submitted 60-second video parts for a shot at $50,000 and an X Games gold medal. A panel of judges will pick the winning part after the videos air on ABC and ESPN on Saturday, July 30. The top four judges’ picks will also be invited to Los Angeles to compete for another X Games medal and $5,000. The winners will compete in the Game of SK8 competition, airing live on ESPN on Sunday, July 31. But first, fans can vote in a tournament-style bracket for their favorite real street video. The skater who gets the most fan votes wins $10,000. The fan favorite will be announced on the website on Saturday, July 30.
X Games Everywhere: Saturday, July 30, 2011 from 2-6 p.m. ET
ESPN / ESPN3.com / Mobile TV / Watch ESPN App (2-6 p.m. ET)
- BMX Freestyle Park
- Skateboard Street Women’s
- Rally Car Racing
- Rally In-Car Cameras & Driver Audio (ESPN3.com Exclusive)
ESPN 3D (2-6 p.m. ET)
- BMX Freestyle Park
- Skateboard Street Women’s
- Skateboard Street Men’s
ABC (4-6 p.m. ET)
- Skateboard Real Street
- Skateboard Street Men’s
XGames.com (2-6 p.m. ET)
- X Cast Companion Screen
- X Cast: Hosted by Kier Dillon, X Cast is a live X Games webcast that will be simultaneously streamed during the telecast windows on Saturday, July 30. As increasing numbers of fans now watch live sporting events while concurrently connected to the internet, X Cast will offer viewers a companion screen experience with greater access to what is happening on site and during the event. X Cast will feature compelling, original and unique content, live athlete interviews with viewer’s questions through X Games on Facebook, Twitter, reporters providing behind the scenes pieces and upcoming event previews, head judge commentary and much more. X Cast will be available on Saturday, July 30 from 2-6 p.m. ET on XGames.com.
- Inside X: A five-week webcast, leading up to and during the X Games, will be streamed live on the X Games Facebook page. Inside X will air every Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET from June 28 through August 2. After the kickoff of the X Games, Inside X will transition to daily morning preview and afternoon recap shows that will stream during the event dates.
Brandon Graham, host of ESPN 710 Radio’s Late Night Action, will host the show with help from special athlete guests each week. Inside X will feature previews and recaps of the action with exclusive athlete interviews, behind-the-scenes content, real-time fan interaction and first looks at courses.
- Facebook: Live Inside X webcast including athlete chats, daily preview and recap show, competition highlights, and course overviews. Exclusive video and photo galleries posted daily along with telecast and event information. The X Games Facebook page currently has more than two million fans.
- Twitter: ESPN X Games’ twitter feed will feature instant event updates, breaking news, results, scavenger hunts and a behind the scenes look at the event.
- ESPN.com Page 2: ESPN.com Page 2 will talk about athletes away from the Games, the fans who cheer on their stars, a look at the onsite trade expo and the sights and sounds you will hear during the Games.
- espnW: Throughout the X Games, espnW.com will recap the women’s events and provide interviews and features. Athletes to watch will be highlighted, including profiles of Elissa Steamer (Skate), Marisa Dal Santo (Skate), Alexis Sablone (Skate), Lacey Baker (Skate), Ashley Fiolek (Moto), Sara Price (Moto) and Tara Gieger (Moto).
- ESPNLA.com: The site will feature stories on skating downtown Los Angeles, building the X17 Big Air ramp and what it is like to ride shotgun in an X Games Rally Car. ESPNLA.com will also display a tilt-shift photography wrap-up of the X17 experience.
Mobile
ESPN Mobile TV will carry 23 hours of live coverage, plus four hours of simulcast coverage of X Center. All four X Games 17 late night highlight shows will also be available.
X Games app for iPhone and Android will feature dynamic tools to enhance the X Games experience. The app features include: instant results, live news, full schedules, highlight videos, athlete bios and photo galleries. Fans can download the app for free from the iTunes store and Android market.
ESPN On Demand will have X Games Classix available leading into the new season, and will also make available highlight shows from all four days of the event. ESPN On Demand will also feature “Best of” discipline shows from BMX, Skate and Motor sports.
International
Outside the United States, the X Games will be delivered to more than 232 million homes and will be telecast live to 192 countries and territories, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Israel, Latin America, Mexico, Middle East and New Zealand.
In addition, the event will be syndicated to 41 countries around the world, reaching more than 67 million homes. ESPN will produce 10 one-hour syndication shows for networks to air following the event.
The X Games will also be simulcast on ESPN’s international broadband platforms in 13 countries.
More than 27 hours of live coverage will air on ESPN’s broadband platforms in Australia, Europe and Latin America.
ESPN Deportes will air two live hours of competition coverage and eight total hours of X Games content.
Music
A full X Games music page will be featured on ESPN.com. Fans can access the page by logging on to ESPN.com/music.
The X Games 17 telecast will feature music from LMFAO, Far East Movement Rise Against, Blink 182, Cold War Kids, All American Rejects, 50 Cent, TV On The Radio and many more.
iTunes: iTunes will have a splash page available at www.itunes.com/xgames for everything X Games past and present. Sony & Microsoft will have all daily highlights and discipline highlights from X Games 17 available for purchase.
Sneak Peek: ESPN Explores Science Behind ‘Wipeout”s Big Balls
Later this week, ESPN Sport Science host John Brenkus will gear up and attempt to tackle the course of ABC’s ‘Wipeout.’ Along the way, he’ll use equipment such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and sensors attached to his body as he takes on the daunting task of measuring rotational velocities, g’s of acceleration and more of the course’s most famous obstacle, the Big Balls.
The segment will premiere on ESPN2′s SportsNation on Thursday, June 16 at 4pm ET
Categories: Television Tags: ABC, ESPN, ESPN Sport Science, ESPN2, Wipeout
ESPN Launches New ‘WatchESPN’ App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
ESPN announced today its flagship network ESPN as well as ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com are now available to Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Verizon FiOS TV subscribers via the new ‘WatchESPN’ App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, now available on the App Store.
In time for the early rounds of the Masters, the NBA Playoffs and the beginning of the Major League Baseball season, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Verizon FiOS TV subscribers who receive the linear networks as part of their video subscription can now watch the channels from the convenience of their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.
“Innovation continues to drive ESPN,” said George Bodenheimer, president, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports. “When we launched in 1979, nobody envisioned a day when people would carry ESPN in their pockets. But here we are. And we’ve reached this watershed moment for the industry through tremendous collaboration with forward-thinking partners.”
The free WatchESPN App includes a simple user interface that takes the current online viewing experience to the high-resolution, Multi-Touch displays of iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Once a user downloads WatchESPN from the App Store, they will receive instructions to enter their cable subscriber credentials and access their favorite ESPN content on their device. A version of the application optimized for the Apple iPad will be available free to download in May.
Added Sean Bratches, executive vice president, sales and marketing for ESPN, “This represents the culmination of our efforts over the last five years. We strive to serve the sports fan wherever they consume sports, and I can’t think of a better way to do that than making our networks available to fans whenever and wherever they might be.”
The company first launched an online-accessible authenticated version of ESPN in October, 2010. Authenticated versions of ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater/Goal Line launched in January, 2011. Consumers can access the channels through a centralized website, ESPNnetworks.com.
The WatchESPN App is available for free from the iTunes App Store.
The App will be available on other smartphones and tablets in the near future.
Categories: iPhone Apps, Television Tags: App, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3.com, ESPNU, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
ESPN Remains Top Channel According to Cable Operators
In Beta Research Corp.’s 2010 Cable Operator Study, ESPN retained its number one status for the 11th consecutive year as the network with the most perceived value. ESPN2 placed second for the sixth straight year in this category with the Disney Channel in fourth and ESPNU tying with the NFL Network for seventh.
“From the depth of programming to the many platforms available for fans to consume content, the Disney and ESPN networks continue to help our affiliates drive their businesses,” said David C. Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney and ESPN Media Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing. “To have four of our networks recognized in the top ten is an honor and we continue to look for new ways to innovative and provide value to our affiliate partners.”
Disney and ESPN Networks received the following high marks from cable operators:
- ESPN and ESPN2 ranked first and second in perceived value; Disney Channel placed fourth and ESPNU placed seventh
- For the seventh consecutive year, ESPN was considered most important network in their cable system and the most effective network in selling broadband or interactive television services.
- ESPN also ranked number one in most helpful with high definition programming best overall marketing services, and most helpful in driving VOD or SVOD efforts.
As a basic network organization, the Disney and ESPN Media Networks also ranked first in many categories including:
- Providing best overall marketing services;
- Most effective in selling broadband/high-speed internet, HDTV, and/or VOD
- Most visited affiliate web site
The telephone survey was conducted in August – October 2010 among general managers and/or marketing directors and VPs of individual cable systems. The study determines perceived value of networks to cable systems; importance of networks to cable systems; unaided mentions for networks’ levels of marketing support, broadband, iTV, HDTV and VOD efforts.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney Channel, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU
Verizon FiOS Customers Now Able to Watch ESPN, ESPN2 and Others Online
As part of a wide-ranging agreement between the Walt Disney Company and Verizon, FiOS TV customers will be able to watch ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater live online beginning today. To access the online programming, Verizon customers must subscribe to FiOS TV.
The online rights to the ESPN networks are part of a broader agreement, which also includes the full suite of cable services from the Walt Disney Company: ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney XD and the soon-to-be-launched Disney Junior, as well as retransmission consent for local ABC broadcast stations.
“Expanding our online video content to include the ESPN networks provides our FiOS customers with some of the best in sports programming, right at their fingertips,” said Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon. “Whether watching FiOS on your TV, PC or mobile device, Verizon continues to make it easy for customers to view a growing amount of programming while on the go.”
Added David Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney and ESPN Media Networks, “Offering our live networks online further demonstrates our commitment to serving sports fans, and we couldn’t do it without the cooperation of forward-thinking distributors like Verizon FiOS. From today forward, FiOS TV customers can choose to watch ESPN on their big screen or on their computer screen – it’s a real sea change in our business and an indication of where our industry is heading.”
FiOS TV customers will be able to watch ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater live on their personal computers or laptops – at home or away – using any broadband connection. Buzzer Beater, which features live cut-ins and highlights from numerous top college basketball games during each Wednesday and Saturday of the college basketball season, is normally only available to FiOS TV customers who subscribe to the Extreme HD or Ultimate HD TV packages but currently will be accessible to Prime TV package customers through a free preview. ESPN Goal Line, a similar service for college football season, will become available for online viewing when football season begins in September for FiOS TV customers subscribing to the Extreme HD or Ultimate HD packages.
Users will have several viewing options for the channels, including picture-in-picture, simultaneous viewing of more than one channel, and full-screen viewing of a single channel. Verizon and ESPN plan to make the programming available on other Internet enabled devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, in the near future.
Using their Verizon Online user names and passwords, FiOS TV customers will be able to access the online programming at either www.verizon.com/fiostvcentral or www.ESPNnetworks.com.
Categories: Internet, Television Tags: ESPN, ESPN2, Verizon
ESPN Networks Boast Highest Viewership Ever in 2010
For the second straight year, in 2010 ESPN and ESPN2 each posted their most-viewed year, as did the combination of ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Classic and ESPN Deportes), according to Nielsen. ESPN capped the year with its most-watched quarter ever and for the year led all cable networks in total-day delivery in key male demos – men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.
ESPN averaged 880,000 homes on a 24-hour basis, up six percent from 2009, the previous record. ESPN set a new viewership record in all four quarters and finished strong as the fourth quarter registered as its most-viewed quarter in history. The 24-hour average for the quarter was 1,140,000 homes, up eight percent from the last year’s previous best, and November was ESPN’s most-watched month of all time. It was also ESPN’s most-viewed year in prime time, an average of 1,778,000 homes, up three percent from the record set last year.
ESPN’s fourth quarter and prime-time ratings were boosted once again by Monday Night Football – it posted its highest-rated season since moving to ESPN and cable’s 16 biggest audiences of 2010 to rank eighth among all television shows in primetime (cable or broadcast) – and NFL studio programming. Other strong performers included college football and NBA games, as well as continued growth for the network’s flagship program, SportsCenter.
ESPN2 averaged 276,000 homes on a total-day basis, edging last year’s 275,000 for a new record. For the fourth quarter, the network averaged 307,000 homes, a record for the quarter and up seven percent from 2009, the previous high. September was the network’s most-watched month in history.
ESPN’s six networks combined to average a record 1,282,000 homes on a 24-hour basis in 2010, an increase of five percent over last year.
ESPNU nearly doubled its audience from a year ago once year-to-year comparisons were available in October.
ESPN Deportes was again the most-watched U.S. Spanish-language sports network this year, and ranked second among all Spanish-language cable networks for viewership among Hispanic men.
Categories: Television Tags: ESPN, ESPN2
ESPN Debuts Nimble SpiderCam Technology During US Open Coverage
Making its debut at a Grand Slam tennis event, ESPN’s SpiderCam at the US Open has taken viewers where they’ve never gone before for dramatic shots of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The aerial camera system – which is exclusive to ESPN2 and its approximately 100 hours of US Open action – is suspended by four thin Kevlar ropes connected to large winches via pulleys high above the court surface on light poles at the four corners of the world’s largest tennis arena. It moves in three dimensions, ranging from as low as one meter off the court to 33 meters high, from beyond one end of the court to the other and from side to side. The camera can pan, tilt, zoom and focus, with the images sent via fiber optics wiring within the Kevlar roping.
“We are always seeking new ways to bring the viewer closer to the action and the athletes and SpiderCam has provided an exciting new perspective of the grandeur, ambience and size of Arthur Ashe Stadium,” said Jamie Reynolds, vice president, ESPN event production.
In addition to walk-ons, changeovers, coin tosses, ceremonies and post-match interviews, SpiderCam has been used to advance the viewers’ understanding of the game. “We have started using SpiderCam as a live camera source, bringing a cinematic approach to the coverage,” Reynolds said. “As an analytical device we are using it for replays directly overhead, and then taking it into new areas, as we tie it to use of the Orad MVP tracking technology. This allows us new perspectives to breakdown strategy and deconstruct points.”
Images courtesy of ESPN
Categories: Television Tags: ESPN, ESPN2, Sports, Technology, Tennis
ESPN2 and ABC to Broadcast Star-Studded FIFA World Cup Kick-off Celebration Concert, June 10
ESPN Inc.’s unprecedented coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ from South Africa will kick off before the games even begin when ESPN2 broadcasts complete live coverage of the FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Celebration Concert from Soweto/Johannesburg on Thursday, June 10 beginning at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
The three-hour concert, considered the biggest entertainment event to date in South Africa, celebrates the arrival of the first-ever FIFA World Cup™ on the African continent and will take place at 30,000-seat Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg. Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Shakira and Juanes will perform live on ESPN2 alongside, and in collaboration with, popular African artists, with a specially-produced highlight presentation of the concert airing in primetime on ABC, Friday, June 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
“ESPN Inc. is committed to bringing fans the most complete and entertaining coverage possible from this historic World Cup in Africa,” said Scott Guglielmino, ESPN Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions. “This concert will be a celebration of South Africa’s rich cultural history and its connection to the world, one that viewers throughout America will surely want to experience on the eve of the World Cup.”
Sal Masekela, ESPN’s 2010 FIFA World Cup human interest reporter and the co-host of The Daily 10 on E!, will be the on-site host of ESPN2’s presentation of the concert. Sal’s father, legendary South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela, will also perform during the concert, as will the Soweto Gospel Choir, each of whom have made special musical contributions to enhance ESPN’s comprehensive coverage of the World Cup.
The concert lineup also features popular African performers including Amadou & Mariam, Angélique Kidjo, BLK JKS, K’Naan, Lira, Mzansi Youth Choir, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré and Vusi Mahlasela.
The FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Celebration Concert is executive-produced by Kevin Wall and his company, Control Room, the leading producer of massive global music events.
“We’re thrilled the concert will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ABC because it brings this once-in-a-lifetime cultural event to audiences across the country,” said Wall. “The combination of international and African star power, along with special appearances by soccer legends past and present, ensures this is a must-see event.”
Categories: Music, Television Tags: ABC, Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas, ESPN2, FIFA, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, Soccer, Sports, World Cup
Study: Cable Operators Rank ESPN, ESPN2 and Disney Channel as Most Valuable Networks
In Beta Research Corp.’s 2009 Cable Operator Study, ESPN, ESPN2 and Disney Channel again ranked first, second and third in the key category of average perceived value. This is the 10th consecutive year that cable operators have ranked ESPN the most valuable network on their cable system. ESPN2 and the Disney Channel have held the second and third most valuable spots for five consecutive years.
“The fact that our portfolio of networks - ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel and ABC Family – occupy the top spots in the minds of our affiliates speak volumes about the products and our team,” said David Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney and ESPN Media Networks. “And ESPN has been the network that drives affiliate’s efforts for a decade, which is a huge milestone for us. We never take these results for granted and we will continue to work, day in and day out, to serve fans and to find new and innovative ways to deliver and drive value for our affiliates.”
Cable operators rate ESPN and Disney Channel number one and two, respectively, in nearly every categories:
- ESPN and ESPN2, followed by Disney Channel, rate highest in perceived value among networks
- For the sixth consecutive year, operators considered ESPN the most important network in their cable system. Disney Channel ranked second.
- ESPN was on top in terms of most helpful in driving VOD or SVOD efforts, with Disney Channel ranked number two and ABC Family ranked #4 (tied).
- ESPN also ranked number one in best overall marketing services. Disney Channel and ABC Family ranked third and fourth (tied), respectively.
- ESPN was also rated as most effective network in selling broadband or interactive television services; followed by ABC Family in the number two position.
As a basic network organization, the Disney and ESPN Media Networks also ranked first in many categories including:
- Providing best overall marketing services;
- Most effective in selling broadband/high-speed internet, HDTV, and/or VOD
- Most visited affiliate web site;
The telephone survey was conducted in August – November 2009 among general managers and/or marketing directors and VPs of individual cable systems. The study determines perceived value of networks to cable systems; importance of networks to cable systems; unaided mentions for networks’ levels of marketing support, broadband, iTV, HDTV and VOD efforts.
Categories: Television Tags: Cable, Disney Channel, ESPN, ESPN2
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