BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro envisions a world where sports fans can open the company's app and watch a personalized version of SportsCenter focused on their personal interests. In fact, he said Wednesday that world could become a reality as soon as next year, when ESPN launches a new direct-to-consumer service.
Pitaro said ESPN staff is currently “full steam ahead” preparing the new product, which will include access to ESPN's traditional linear network programming and digital-only feeds for one price. Speaking at a media event in Bristol, Connecticut, Pitaro highlighted new features that will launch with the new product next year, including improved personalization options. The strategy is aimed at helping ESPN maintain its dominance of sports media outside of television.
ESPN has also been in discussions with leagues and other media leaders about broadcasting games in local markets through its growing platform.
“We see reach as a very valuable asset to the league, especially if you’re focused on attracting and speaking to as many fans as possible. [available within the ESPN ecosystem]”We're not looking for or demanding exclusivity at all. … Let's leverage the fact that we're a launch pad for sports fans,” Pitaro said.
As cable TV subscriber numbers continue to decline, many teams are launching their own direct-to-consumer services. ESPN has already struck deals with NESN and Monumental Sports to create links to their digital platforms. In theory, future partnerships could include the ability for fans to authenticate these types of subscriptions within the ESPN app.
Deals could also be made at the league level, such as MLB or the NBA taking over responsibility for local media distribution.
“We want to at least be part of the solution on this,” Pitaro said. “If you're within the ESPN environment, we can geo-target you, know where you are and broadcast games within your local market. So we've been telling the different leagues, the different commissioners that we're very interested in being proactive on this.”
By next year, ESPN's app will include features like the ability to watch multiple games at once (an option currently limited to Apple TV devices) and the ability to monitor ESPN Bet bets alongside live feeds.
Both the personalization features and potential local game rights signal ESPN's evolution from a single international cable network to, in Pitaro's words, a multiplatform “ecosystem.” Going forward, ESPN aims to build on the company's signature games and studio content to become embedded in the daily lives of a wide variety of sports fans in new ways.
“We know it's not as simple as flipping a switch,” Pitaro said of the launch of the new service, which doesn't yet have an official name or price tag, “and we know we need to further strengthen our offering.”