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ESPN coming to Xbox One, NFL.com fantasy football on Xbox 360 now
ESPN on Xbox Live was Microsoft's first network partner on the Xbox 360 back in 2010 and the network has signed a new deal to stream content on the Xbox One. ESPN.com clips, ESPN 3 live content and everything streamed through WatchESPN, which requires a cable-authenticated package, are all presented in the app. "Sports fans know what they like. We're just trying to give them better ways to access that content in a more quickly and more user-friendly format," David Jurenka, Director of Sports at Xbox Entertainment Studios, says. Within the app, users can create a specific channel for their favorite team, and the app will even pull in their personalized data from ESPN's ScoreCenter app. In addition to ESPN, Microsoft's new partnership with the NFL has spurned development of an NFL app for Xbox One – with NFL Network content, including Thursday Night Football and NFL Red Zone – and a fantasy football app for Xbox 360. The latter app, which allows players to log into their NFL.com fantasy teams and do just about everything they could on a computer or smartphone, should be available today. Users can adjust their lineups and watch NFL.com highlights through their Xbox 360 console. The NFL app is also coming to Xbox One in November.
Xbox adding Nickelodeon, Paramount, Machinima, Univision, NHL and more ESPN [update: full list of new apps]
Microsoft hopes to "double" its entertainment offerings over the next year, highlighting four partners during its pre-E3 media briefing: Nickelodeon, Paramount, Machinima, and Univisiona.Microsoft is also adding the NBA and NHL to its content partners, specifically citing the latter as launching next season. Additionally, ESPN's app will be updated to include 24-hour programming from other ESPN channels: ESPN 1, ESPN 2, and ESPN U. Currently, the ESPN app on Xbox 360 only features content from ESPN 3.Update: Here's the full list of entertainment apps planned for the service.
Comcast, Disney TV deal opens up access on multiple screens, tightens VOD strings
A renewal of the carriage agreement between Disney and Comcast has extended the cable company's "TV Everywhere" model, allowing it to offer customers access to "70 services" including all the ABC, Disney and ESPN channels you can name on their TVs, computers and mobile devices. Comcast's blog post notes this access extends both in and outside of the home, a major sticking point for most of the live TV streaming apps offered by cable and satellite companies (with the obvious exception of Dish Network and its Sling integration) so far. Other news mentioned in the press release (included after the break) is that the ABC video on-demand access on Comcast's cable boxes is fast-forward disabled -- no ad skipping. Other than the existing WatchESPN which Comcast customers will now have access to, there are also WatchDisneyChannel, WatchDisneyXD and WatchDisneyJunior services on the way, a part of disney's own multiscreen initiative called TV+. One other note is that for the first time the deal covers retransmission fees for ABC-owned local stations, which used to be free. There's no word on exactly how much money is changing hands as a result, but we'll probably be able to look at our cable bills in the future and see the effect -- hopefully being able to pull in the latest Grey's Anatomy episodes on the go is worth it.
Xbox 360's ESPN3 app updated with more voice control, split screen and more
The PlayStation 3 may have NFL Sunday Ticket but the Xbox 360 still has exclusive access to ESPN3's slate of games, shows and replays, and today the app was updated with a new look and a few new features. Viewers can designate their favorite sports and teams to bring related content right to the front, while a new mini-guide gives easy access to other streams while you watch. If you're trying to keep track of more than one game there's also support for split screen viewing (with independent control of each stream) and upgraded voice control for Kinect owners. Other tweaks include a college football scoreboard to keep track of all the games at once, reminders, live alerts on score changes and the addition of ESPN's BottomLine. Unchanged is the restriction that you need to subscribe to a TV provider that includes ESPN3 in its package, but if you do have the service (and shell out for XBL, of course) it should be available the next time you load up your console. Check out the YouTube videos embedded above and after the break along with a press release for a runthrough of some of the new features.
Microsoft planning ESPN-branded Xbox 360? Update: Nope!
Well, well, what's this? We were just sent this obvious mockup of an ESPN Xbox 360, which our tipster found just hanging out on a Microsoft PR server. Now, this could just be a branding exercise or the remnants of a failed idea, but now that ESPN 3 is live on the Xbox 360 Fall 2010 Dashboard Update, it makes sense for the two companies to explore a branded console -- we know a lot of college students (and Engadget editors) who'd love to ditch their cable and still get ESPN through their 360s. We'll see what comes to pass -- and if Microsoft wisens up and tones down that red. Update: Microsoft's PR team just pinged to say that this was indeed just a promotional mockup. Sad faces all around, sports fans. Here's the statement: The custom ESPN console was an asset designed to celebrate the launch of ESPN on Xbox LIVE. There are no plans to manufacture an ESPN-branded console for sale at retail.
Xbox Live Fall 2010 Dashboard Update preview: ESPN, Netflix search, Kinect, and more! (Update)
Shortly before Kinect hits store shelves on November 4th, Microsoft plans on rolling out the Fall Update to Xbox Live -- even sooner for those who signed up for the preview program. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise, really: even without the numerous leaks, the fall update is a longstanding tradition for the almost five-year-old console, and the company devoted a large chunk of its E3 2010 presentation to talk about the biggest additions. That includes Netflix search (finally!), Zune music, and an entertainment hub for a certain worldwide sports broadcaster... ESPN. We've had a chance to spend some time at home with the Fall Update, follow us after the break for our full impressions! Update: As both Joystiq and a number of tipsters have alerted us, Microsoft has pulled the large, wooden lever in its dark underground lair that allows for the Fall Update to trickle out and assimilate itself into the consoles of those smart enough to sign up for the preview program. If you receive a prompt upon signing in, rejoice! If not, well, have patience! P.S. - Looking for more? Our BFFs at Joystiq have compiled a series of exhaustive videos chronicling the Fall Update. Check it out! %Gallery-103613%
Xbox Live Update Preview Program sign-up sheet now accepting gamertags
Want an early glimpse of ESPN for Xbox Live? How about an upgraded Netflix, Zune music, or some shiny new visuals? Just like last year, Microsoft's resident Xbox 360 spokesman Major Nelson has made the call for sign-ups in the Update Preview Progam, which as the name suggests will get you on the list for potentially some early playtime with the upcoming Dashboard update. Just follow the instructions to get in the virtual queue, and sorry, this isn't gonna get you any closer to Kinect. Productivity notwithstanding, what do you have to lose?
ESPN3 comes exclusively to Xbox 360
The recently relaunched ESPN3 online portal is coming to Xbox 360 , as just announced during Microsoft's pre-E3 press conference. Trey Wingo and Josh Elliott from SportsCenter are on stage demonstrating with footage from a USC / Ohio State game, and of course it has built in Kinect controller support. 3,500 live sporting events, instant replays, highlights, polls all at your fingertips or by the sound of your voice. The PiP stuff will be familiar to fans who have already indulged online, but with the new control aspects (and of course, HD streaming) it could give a reasonable alternative to the existing channels. The usual requirement of Xbox Live Gold just like Netflix, Facebook, etc. is present, but beyond having a TV provider / ISP that's signed up for the package, there's no additional charge. Update: Wondering if you'll have access? Check the list of ESPN3 affiliates to see if your ISP is playing ball.
PlayOn adds ESPN3 streaming for your World Cup viewing pleasure
PlayOn's apparently been hard at work to make sure it's worthy of the new premium pricing, and now is ready to offer ESPN3 among the channels it shunts from PCs to connected TV devices including the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. That means if you have a provider who offers ESPN3 and a TV that doesn't have a cable box on it for some reason, but does have one of the supported devices, you can stream the game live or watch archived videos from the site whenever you please. Of course, ESPN3 and PlayOn's other notable service, Hulu have both been the subject of rumors indicating they'll be available directly on consoles. Any announcements are potentially due in a few days at E3 2010, but the 14-day trial period should give plenty of time to see if any new deals appear on the horizon -- or if your team doesn't make it past the initial group phase.
