This is a really a minor win for ESPN, but it shows the lengths they are going to make their impact in English Football. Either that or they are trying to annoy BskyB by pecking at their share. It was confirmed this morning that ESPN has acquired mobile highlights for soccer matches. This will start in August and was previously handled by BskyB.
There are a couple of caveats to this whole event. First, the number of EPL matches ESPN will be able to carry live will from from 46 matches this year to 23 next year, so they need some more Soccer content. Additionally, most of these mobile highlights seem focused in the UK Market, where ESPN has no mobile presence. This will imply that ESPN will partner with someone – either a dedicated partner like Virgin Media, or they may license their content to all mobile carriers and let them fight it out amongst themselves. I figure that will be decided on what sounds the most profitable to them.
ESPN Mobile was such a success here, let’s try Europe! Am I the only one who doesn’t watch sports highlights on my phone while having a conference call with several well groomed black dudes? That’s the feeling I get from ATT.
I usually dont do much on my phone unless its talking or texting. Sometimes I will check scores or do a tiny bit of browsing. The speed of it make it not worth it to me. I will just jump online at home if I need to look at something. I cant see this being a big hit.
My phone cost $19 at Wal-Mart. Pretty darn sweet. To check scores, I text Google for free.
MGD: Sexter extraordinaire.