To tweet this release – http://bit.ly/aQUpEY
ESPN360.com, ESPN’s 24/7 broadband sports network, will officially become ESPN3.com on Sunday, April 4. At launch, visitors to the network will notice an enhanced viewing experience with optimal video quality via Adobe’s Flash Player 10. Visitors to ESPN3.com will also be able to interact with live event programming on the network through a variety of new features and functionality, including:
- New Viewing Modes – Multiple options to watch live events, including picture-in-picture and split screens;
- New Scoreboard Module – Up-to-the-minute scores from hundreds of sports leagues from around the world;
- Stats – In-depth event stats that allow fans to track the event they’re watching;
- Chat – Interact with other fans watching the game;
- Enhanced Schedule – Users will be able to find a specific event via improved navigation;
- Social Networking Tools –Update your Facebook and Twitter status.
Later this month, ESPN3.com will debut a download for additional enhancements, including:
- More HD-quality streaming with the NBA Playoffs followed by the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2010 US Open tennis;
- DVR functionality where fans will be able to pause, rewind and fast forward through live programming;
- A Key Plays feature where users will be able to jump to key scoring plays and pivotal moments at any time during the game.
On Sunday, ESPN3.com will feature a line up of events from around the globe, including soccer matches from Dutch Eredivisie and Spain’s La Liga leagues, college baseball, the NCAA Women’s Final Four games and the return of baseball season featuring the Opening Day match up between the 2009 World Series Champions New York Yankees against their biggest rival, the Boston Red Sox, at Fenway Park (subject to local blackout).
As part of the name change, ESPN3.com this week launched its marketing campaign that focuses on the significance of the number three in sports — whether it be a memorable three-point shot, a triple play or the number of stumps in a cricket wicket. Two versions of the song “Three is a Magic Number” — including the original “Schoolhouse Rock” version — provide the soundtrack for the television commercials, which will air throughout the month of April across all of the ESPN networks and ESPN’s YouTube channel. The ‘3’ campaign also includes print, digital and radio executions. Samsung is the launch partner for the ESPN3.com campaign, which was created by The Martin Agency. To view three versions of the TV creative, click here.
The network is available at no cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection from an affiliated service provider and is currently in 50 million households – a majority of US broadband homes. It is accessible via dozens of Internet Service Providers nationwide, including AT&T, Verizon, Cox Communications, Comcast, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Charter, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications and more.
ESPN, Inc. is the world’s leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU), ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS and ESPNU HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (46 networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN PPV, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360.com (Broadband), ESPN Mobile Properties, ESPN on Demand and ESPN Interactive. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.
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