ESPN streaming coming to Xbox 360?

As if you needed another impetus to abandon cable and satellite TV, The New York Times is reporting behind closed door dealings are afoot between Microsoft and Walt Disney Company, with order of business being ESPN streaming via Xbox 360. According to the anonymous source, live streams of sporting events à la the now aptly-titled ESPN360 could come to the console on a per-subscriber fee, along with related interactive games. The thing with secret meetings, of course, is that they can never be confirmed and, should talks fall through, amount to nothing in the future -- just keep that in mind before you get too excited and cancel Comcast a bit prematurely.

[internetsguy Posted Jan 18th 2010 11:59PM]

@fatslug just a response to your nyt comment. i dont see why its a problem for these news orgs charging for online content. people had no problem paying for newspapers everyday for decades. i dont get why people always feel claim that info on the internet MUST be free to access.

[mdneilson Posted Jan 19th 2010 12:39AM]

I would love to have this at my home and drop my cable all together. All i ever watch on TV is V, Heroes, and hockey. Too bad ESBN360 doesn't have hockey!... I mean, really? track and field, but not hockey?

[bohoy2k Posted Jan 19th 2010 2:05AM]

@fatslug

ESPN is far from free. It's actually THE most expensive channel on basic cable. Your bill is usually 3 or more dollars because of ESPN, while, let's say, Nickelodeon is around 75 cents to $1.25, or abc, cbs, etc. for around 50 cents.

3 bucks doesn't sound much, but it adds up when you have 40-60 channels (on basic.)

[stp147psu Posted Jan 19th 2010 9:06AM]

If I already have ESPN360 through my internet provider and I already have Xbox Live Gold, why can't they just create an app like Facebook or Netflix so that I can access the content. If you don't have ESPN360 through your ISP then you can pay the a la carte fee.

[StuGautz Posted Jan 19th 2010 9:33AM]

Would be nice if this service was available internationally. I know I'd pay for it.

[Maximus22 Posted Jan 19th 2010 9:39AM]

They should get into talks with comcast and just get comcast into this since everyone and their mother knows that cable companies are losing ground to video games and would love to have a presence in that market.

[GN1 Posted Jan 19th 2010 10:58AM]

@fatslug yo douche, nothing is free, espn is on the 'advanced' package which is another $18-20 on top of if 'regular' channels, if you were the one who's paying the freaking cable bill you would have known.

[Robert Mechum Posted Jan 19th 2010 11:42AM]

Internet delivered SD sports content? No thank you. HD content or go home.

[buri0819 Posted Jan 19th 2010 11:50AM]

This would be awesome I already dropped cable about one year ago.

It would make sense only if it's included with xbox live not an extra fee

the most i would pay is 4.99 a month.

[Robert Mechum Posted Jan 19th 2010 11:57AM]

@buri0819 You would rather watch SD sports at web-limited bitrates over HD content from a proper provider?

[buri0819 Posted Jan 19th 2010 3:29PM]

No dude HD only for me streaming hd would be nice and convenient.

[buri0819 Posted Jan 19th 2010 11:51AM]

This needs to happen soon so all channels and networks can take notice

and start moving all programing to the net.

[techlord Posted Jan 19th 2010 12:53PM]

How much $ did Microsoft paid ESPN

[scyber Posted Jan 19th 2010 1:22PM]

My first reaction was that this makes me one step closer to dropping a pay TV service. Then after I crunched the numbers, I doubt a la carte programming over the net will be price competitive with my current TV service. Since my Internet price will go up if I unbundled TV service, the net cost of my TV service is $20/month. I highly doubt that I will be able to get close to that if I have to pay for services one channel at a time.

[Bulldogstall Posted Jan 27th 2010 4:05PM]

I like FSN OH...they have good commentary. ESPN can't even identify the correct players half the time unless they are one of the top 50 scorers in the nation.

But bring it on ESPN!

[cata12 Posted Feb 5th 2010 10:12AM]

Seems like Microsoft is trying to change the Xbox image from purely a gaming console to a more interactive media portal for people of all ages.
Here is more about their strategy: http://www.thehdstandard.com/hardwaresoftware-solutions-for-streaming/espn-streaming-on-xbox/

Catalin
Professional Streaming Consultant

[TheFizzle21 Posted Feb 8th 2010 6:33PM]

A lot of people following this anticipate this streaming service to show 'em every sport, but think about this...what if your fav NBA team plays on TNT, but you just dropped your cable service? If you want to watch the Division Series in October, but you kicked DirecTV out the door yesterday? My point is that I am NOT sure that ESPN360 on Xbox 360 will help you out in full and give you everything sports. Remember, just because they are the worldwide leader in sports doesn't mean they do the millions and thousands of events to be seen. On the web, it pretty much only broadcasts the Tennis Grand Slams, college football, college hoops, and some other minor events; all of the major events available, if I'm right, are not always ESPN/ESPN360 broadcasts. Hold on to that TVSP (TV service provide) because you might need some other networks unless they black you out to see a game on a local station.