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ESPN Deportes and ESPNews now streaming on WatchESPN
If you've ever wished that WatchESPN would offer more Spanish-language sports and non-stop news, today's your lucky day. The streaming service now includes access to ESPN Deportes and ESPNews, both of which are available to TV subscribers through Apple TV boxes, mobile apps and the web. Xbox Live viewers will get the channels soon, the broadcaster says. Only some will appreciate the new WatchESPN content, but it's hard to disagree with getting some extra fútbol coverage at no extra charge.
Google Fiber announces qualified areas tomorrow, snags ABC channels including ESPN, Disney
The official list of the first "fiberhoods" Google's Gigabit internet + TV service will be available in doesn't come out until tomorrow, but it's already looking like an even more attractive option thanks to a few newly announced channel additions. The team's blog post lists several ABC channels that will be available on the HDTV service, not the least of which is sports giant ESPN, along with ESPN2, Classic, Goal Line, Buzzer Beater, Deportes, ESPNews, Longhorn Network and ESPNU. We've confirmed ESPN3 is also included, while WatchESPN and WatchDisney mobile access is planned for the "near future." Overall it appears that ABC has squeezed its entire bundle including the Disney channels into the lineup (check the list after the break). That may not curry favor with those hoping for some revolutionary a la carte options, but should make switching to the $120 bundle easier for sports fans and families. Check the original launch announcement for more details on the Nexus 7-controlled service that blends standard TV and streaming options if you're pondering a move to Kansas City.
Austin, TX gets 3 new HD channels from Time Warner Cable
Not even a week after Time Warner Cable gifted subscribers in San Antonio with Disney HD and ABC Family HD, we've now learned that those very two have made their way over to the Austin system. Oh, but TWC threw in the totally enviable ESPNews HD while it was at it. Don't even think about griping SA -- even you know you're this carrier's favorite in the Lone Star State. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Chad]
DirecTV adds Disney Channel HD, Toon Disney HD and ESPNews HD
Just days after rival DISH Network added NESN HD to its national high-def lineup, along comes DirecTV to pacify its own subscribers. As of today, Disney Channel HD (290), Toon Disney HD (292) and ESPNews HD (207) have all been added, bringing the grand total of available high-definition channels on the satcaster to 95. Triple digits is in sight, folks.[Thanks, Rob]
Poll: ESPNews HD is on the air, do you have it yet?
As scheduled, ESPNews HD is broadcasting to approximately 3.2 million people, the question for today is if you're one of them. So let us know, do you have the channel, and in the comments note what provider and where you are. Comcast, DirecTV and Time Warner all have carriage agreements for the channel, if you don't have it yet don't forget to check ESPN2 HD at 11:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. today for the simulcast. %Poll-11949%
ESPNews HD set for launch March 30
Right on schedule, ESPNews HD is coming March 30. With carriage agreements previously reported with DirecTV, Comcast and Time Warner Cable, we expect (read: demand) to get it day one. As seen in the graphics, ESPNews' traditional BottomLine now frames the top, left and bottom of 16x9 main video space. Everything's been tweaked -- it appears ESPN has learned much from the launch of its first two HD networks -- from a more moderate (and hopefully less prone to burn-in) steel blue color scheme, redone music with an orchestra-performed theme and all-new set backed by ESPN's multimedia newsroom. Called a "milestone concept" and "must have" for its exclusive HD content (a first for ESPN) ESPN VP Bryan Burns thinks it's hot, check more pics after the break then decide for yourself at 8 a.m. Sunday, March 30; if your carrier isn't up to speed, check out the simulcast on ESPN HD for the first hour, then ESPN2 HD in 30 minute chunks at 11:30 a.m. and p.m.
The first ESPNews HD screenshots
We know you're probably too wrapped up in the looming March Madness to actually stop and realize what month it is, but sure enough, March is the month in which ESPNews HD is slated to land. Just as 2007 was drawing to a close, we got word that designers had finalized the new channel's graphics package -- fast forward a tick, and we see this. Judging by the photo above along with a number of others in the read link below, we'd say we're more anxious than ever to feast our eyes and ears on 24/7 sporting news. Of course, we've yet to see any confirmation that these are real, but we can't imagine someone going out of their way to mock 'em up. Launch day (whenever that may be) can't come soon enough.
ESPNews HD finalizes graphics package
If you're anything like us, you can't wait for March to arrive. And if you're one of the many who are waiting oh-so-impatiently for ESPNews HD to launch, here's a few more details to chew on while you pass the time with NFL playoffs, conference play in NCAA men's hoops and the rest of the college bowl season. Reportedly, the channel has finalized its graphics package, and we're told that the high-definition flavor will sport a "scrolling scoreboard on the left side of the screen, with tabs of specific leagues and topics across the top of the screen." Additionally, the bottom of the screen will be reserved for "breaking news and advertising," and while the video feed will be the same for SD and HD, the latter will boast more on-screen data / scores / news. For what it's worth, the SD channel will also undergo a makeover that makes it resemble the HD sibling, but only those viewing in HD will get the benefit of the new scrolling scoreboard. [Read link requires subscription]
More details about upcoming ESPNews HD
We already knew that ESPNews HD wasn't launching this year, but rather, in March of '08. What we didn't know is how ESPN's third high-def station was going to look. More deets have surfaced and quite frankly, the channel is going to look sweet in HD. ESPN is utilizing a scaled down 16x9 high-def video feed and supplementing three sides of the screen with their "HD Sideline" graphics -- think scores, news, headshots, and of course, advertisement. Frankly, we're stoked that ESPN isn't transposing their current ESPNews 4x3 feed and implanting graphics on either side resulting in a non-HD 16x9 channel; something like what CNBC is doing.
ESPNews not going HD until March 2008
We already had a hunch that ESPN's 24-hour news channel wouldn't be making the leap to HD until next year, but any hopes of it launching sooner have apparently been dashed. Reportedly, ESPN has "already signed carriage deals for ESPNews HD with DirecTV, Comcast and Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget), according to network executives." When it finally goes live at the "beginning in March 2008," it will become the third ESPN network to be available in an HD flavor. It's stated that the channel will feature "an innovative HD sideline graphic which will wrap around the top left and bottom of the HD screen" to offer up news and statistics in a format tailored for high-definition displays. March can't come soon enough.
