Posted Tue Jan 19, 2010 at 12:00 PM PST by Mike Attebery
Microsoft is in talks with the Walt Disney Company to offer ESPN streaming and interactive experiences.
There was a time when someone who said “I don’t watch television” was considered a snob of the highest caliber, dismissing television for more worthy forms of media. Now it’s the hallmark of a tech savvy consumer who gets his entertainment from other sources.
There’s a core group of people though, who are held back from taking the leap. While it’s not a big deal to wait a day to watch 30 Rock on Hulu, and catching up on Californication on Netflix a few years later is just fine, sports need to be watched live.
According to the New York Times, Microsoft has the solution. According to their sources, Microsoft has been in talks with the Walt Disney Company about streaming sporting events from ESPN live. The proposed service would be similar to ESPN 360.
Both companies have declined to comment, and one of the sources made sure to clarify that a deal was not imminent. “Our goal is, really, how we can get as much content there as possible?” said Microsoft’s Marc Whitten. “There’s going to be a ton of experimentation around business models and rights.”
Source: New York Times
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