Sports Coming to Game Consoles. Is The Dawn of Post-Cable Nigh?
by Ian Schafer on January 18, 2010
People have been talking about weaning off of cable in favor of web video for quite some time now. With options like Boxee, gaming consoles, and TV Everywhere, you can almost smell this kind of trend on the horizon.
But many people, like me, can’t quit cold turkey because of one thing: sports.
Well, it seems that that wall is starting to come down too.
According to Brian Stelter (New York Times):
The content ambitions do not end there. Microsoft has held in-depth talks with the Walt Disney Company about a programming deal with ESPN, according to people close to the talks, who requested anonymity because the talks were intended to be private.
For a per-subscriber fee, ESPN could provide live streams of sporting events, similar to the ones available through ESPN 360, a service that is available from some high-speed Internet providers. Microsoft could also create some interactive games in association with ESPN, the people said. One of the people said the deal was not imminent. The companies declined to comment.
Could it be? Are cableco’s becoming nothing more than high-speed ISPs? Is that why Comcast bought NBC (to own content)? Stay tuned. We’re on the cusp of some pretty heavy media evolution.
Thanks to Silicon Alley Insider for pointing me to the NYT story.
About the author
Ian Schafer, CEO and Founder of Deep Focus (a part of Engine USA), is one of advertising’s most influential voices in interactive marketing and social media. Prior to founding Deep Focus in 2002, Ian was Vice President of the New Media division of Miramax Films.
Deep Focus is an award-winning engagement, social media and innovation agency boasting a client roster that includes brands such as AMC, Microsoft, Sony, Diageo, WellPoint, MoMA, and Nintendo. Deep Focus is a part of Engine USA.
Under Ian’s guidance, Deep Focus has been lauded for its expertise and excellence at using digital media, technology, creative, and communications strategies to create engaging, value-driven experiences that get people talking. The Emmy®-nominated firm has been responsible for many memorable, award-winning efforts over the years including 2009’s MadMenYourself.com, and has been the recipient of numerous distinctions, including several Webby Awards and a Cannes Gold Lion.
Named a ‘Media Maven’ by Advertising Age and one of Adweek’s “Young Ones”, Ian has been featured in Wired, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Adweek, Advertising Age, USA Today, New York Magazine, Variety, CNN, Fortune and The Hollywood Reporter. Ian also sits on the executive board of the Social Media Advertising Consortium.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I cut the cord on cable right after college (4 years ago) and haven’t looked back. The only thing I miss is sports. There are decent “bootleg” feeds out there but ESPN would be the real deal. Initially they could charge a heafty premium for the live sports stream content and I’m sure they would have no problem attracting advertisers. I can see this becoming the decade of user-decided content… what, when and where to watch right at your fingertips… and Comcast may be leading the way. Great post. Thanks!
Hold on there till they tell you what ESPN offering, and who they’re offering it to. Right now ESPN 360 is only available via ISPs whose owners have deals with ESPN/Disney. Ie, you can get it if you get your broadband from Comcast or Verizon, but not Time Warner. I’d be surprised if that changes.
Just as important is WHAT you can get from ESPN 360, and I’m sure that’s not changing anytime soon: All sorts of Tier 2 sports programming, which may be great (I’d be happy watching Premier League matches), but it’s not going to be NFL, MLB, etc.
@peter, pretty sure we’re not getting MNF anytime soon, either. But any step forward is a good one. When cable goes a la carte, and it eventually will, it may not matter where you get your channels, but which ones you pay for.