ESPN3 comes exclusively to Xbox 360
By Richard Lawler 
posted June 14th 2010 1:20PM
posted June 14th 2010 1:20PM
Update: Wondering if you'll have access? Check the list of ESPN3 affiliates to see if your ISP is playing ball.
Today, from the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) stage in Los Angeles, Microsoft announced plans to revolutionize sports entertainment in the home through an exclusive deal with ESPN.
This November, do more than just watch the sports you love – connect with friends and share your sports experience in brand new ways with ESPN on Xbox 360:
· A World of Sporting Events: Xbox LIVE Gold members who have high-speed internet service from an affiliated service provider will enjoy more than 3,500 live sporting events from ESPN3.com – ESPN's 24/7 broadband sports network – including college basketball, college football and bowl games, MLB, NBA, international soccer, tennis including all four Grand Slam tournaments, golf majors and more. Watch out-of-market games and access on-demand ESPN.com video clips, refreshed daily – all completely free to Xbox LIVE Gold members.
· Social Interaction Only Xbox LIVE Can Deliver: Connect with friends and rivals coast-to-coast and declare which team you're rootiAng for, participate in community polling, trivia and game predictions, all tailored to the game you're watching. Even pull up current scores and stats and easily switch between events without "changing the channel."
· The Magic of Kinect: Through the power of cutting-edge gesture and voice technology, Kinect for Xbox 360 tracks your body movements and gestures, giving you full DVR control, no remote or controller required, and a brand new way to interact with your sports entertainment.
Nothing is going to get done in my college dorm now.
Does ANYONE know when this will be available to gold members? I would definitely renew my membership for this...
I think espn got lost on it way to Sony and was kidnapped by Microsoft
Bummed out that Hulu was not announced. But the tide is clearly beginning to turn against cable companies.
Microsoft never said that there would be live HD streaming. HD streaming, yes, but I assume this is for previous events and reruns of SportsCenter. If there is no live HD streaming, whats the point?
@FlipMode99 There is live HD streaming on ESPN3. This is not a new invention just for the Xbox 360.
This is only ESPN3, not regular ESPN. The games on ESPN3 are mostly less popular games that do not air on any of the regular ESPN channels. My ISP is comcast so I'll have access, but this isn't going to replace directv anytime soon.
@Rodo96
espn3 includes the games that are on espn, espn2, abc, everything but espnu.
only available in the USA yeah? no love for Canada?
WORLD CUP!?!?!?!
@Brendon984
I was thinking the same thing, but I just noticed this is coming in November.
"but beyond having a TV provider / ISP that's signed up for the package"
Uhhh that is not what they said during the actual reveal (and yes I watched it). All they said was "no cost to xbox live members" there was no indication that this was ESPN3 and locked down to your internet provider. If so put up the press release that states this limitation
@MrMichael Indeed. And since it would seem that Microsoft has paid a licensing fee for ESPN access (for gold customers) ISP probably isn't a prerequisite anymore.
@MrMichael Want to put a bet down on that?
@MrMichael Read the press release after the break: " Xbox LIVE Gold members who have high-speed internet service from an affiliated service provider"
It was never going to be different.
@MrMichael
I watched the release too and they said ESPN3, not ESPN. ESPN3 is def not the same and is tied to cable/ISP.
@MrMichael
Yeah I posted a response to my post acknowledging the press release but it didn't post, ugh, well screw greedy TW and screw greedy POS ESPN.
@RichardLawler ESPN3 has nothing to do with your TV provider. It's pretty sad that you don't know this.
"but beyond having a TV provider / ISP that's signed up for the package"
Hold on for a minute to all of you. I don't like this exclusivity crap either. However, with a nephew at a major college football program, the games that were blocked out for instance you could get on ESPN360.com. Nobody mentioned this for the Computer enthusiasts. In fact, during the season I could have four screens up at a time and watch football, baseball, basketball, and some high school
sports all streaming at the same time. Therefore, I don't think this inovative at all. It just reaffirms that Micromoney wants you to go out and purchase an Xbox360, which I will never do because I'm a pure pc enthusiasts. Interesting spin on things though. I guess you have to way the pros and cons of having this. Peace...
@blckman
For those of us who alreadynhave a 360 or for those who don't want or need a clumsy pc to tv hookup this is perfect
@blckman *gasp* a publicly traded company wants to be profitable! Goddamn them!
This is a huge coup for the 360, and I don't care that you could hook up a PC to your TV to do this now, how many millions of 360 owners have no interest in doing that, but are now going to be able to watch ESPN3 via their 360s? Win-win for MS/ESPN, as it will definitely get more xbox live memberships, and bring even more attention the ESPN3 brand that ESPN has been putting a TON of effort into lately.
3,500 live events in the first year, most in HD? Can you say hell yeah?
@Axtell
I'm not mad at you all for the excitement. Good for Microsoft and the Xbox360. I just care not to partake in the console. It doesn't matter if it is it is the Sony PS3, Xbox 360, or Wii. I know they all have great media players, but I just love the PC for what it does pretty well. I think this is great for the audience it is intended for. Welll...I would say millions worldwide. It's all good baby....
Worldwide?
Or States only..?
@FORDY ESPN doesn't own the broadcast license for every sport everywhere on the whole planet, so what do you think?
@(Unverified)
They manage to provide us with a channel on Freeview, Cable and Satellite - so I couldn't really say, what do you think?
I can't believe MS is still trying to charge for things that you are already paying for elsewhere.
If your ISP supports ESPN3, then you already have it. You don't need to pay MS to get it. And by the way, ESPN3 is paid for by your ISP paying ESPN, and they of course roll it into your bill so it is costing you.
ESPN3.com is free to Verizon customers and I believe they are the only TV/ISP provider to have such an agreement. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. It still would be nice if Microsoft and ESPN announced the list of "affiliated service provider(s)" when they announce this thing!
The resolution of espn3 full screen totally blow compared to something like mlb.tv. Its already supposed to be HD in your browser, but its still pretty piss poor. I didn't see anything announced that said xbox users would be getting a higher bit rate stream.
Somehow I just don't see the point. Who wants to watch ESPN3.com on their TV while they're at home? Just turn your TV onto ESPN.
@bjbjohnson
youre right. i would rather watch only what espn/espn2 is playing instead of being able to pick from dozens of things to watch.
@ralpheazy
some games are only on espn3 and not one of the tv espn's.
I live in Cincinnati wheremy only two options for high speed ISPs are Time Warner and Cincinnati Bell, neither of which have ESPN3....this is total bs
So how exclusive is this? Is this like the Netflix Xbox exclusivity where they were the exclusivity only applied "game console" and apparenlty only to installed Netflix apps?
I'm just curious if things like the Roku and/or Tivo have a chance to get this anytime soon.
Way to go ESPN and Microsoft. Time Warner Cable, you suck!
I have two ISPs where I live.
Neither is an affiliate. F this.