Sports fans – especially soccer fans – just scored the motherlode. Starting today, Chromecast users who get ESPN as part of their pay-TV subscription can now cast live sports content via the WatchESPN app. Just tap that glorious little blue box that Chromecasters have come to know and love so well, and you’ve got big-screen access to each and every one of the 64 World Cup games that ESPN has pledged to stream. The deal between Google and Disney/ESPN Media Networks brings Chromecast support to all of ESPN’s other sports content, including the NBA Finals, X Games, and college football.
Today’s announcement comes a little less than one month since ESPN revealed the strategy for “its most ambitious multiplatform coverage to date,” a full month of 24/7 news, analysis, commentary and interactivity dedicated to the world’s biggest sporting event. The leading sports entertainment network will broadcast live from Brazil via WatchESPN and ESPN3 in the U.S., and globally through its multi-language/multi-platform soccer-centric brand ESPN FC, which recently launched a new app and website redesign in advance of the World Cup.
And some news for the non-athletically inclined: Google’s announcement this morning includes news that the search giant’s own Google+ platform will see the addition of Casting capabilities before the day’s end. Google+ users will be able to cast their photos and videos to transform their television into an interactive photo album. The other non-sports update is the addition of Chromecast support for Crunchyroll, a streaming service for anime, manga, and other East Asian media.
Though the U.S. Men’s National Team doesn’t face off against Ghana for another couple of weeks, you can still cast the MLS Matchday app and/or MLS LIVE premium services to the big screen starting today.
Check out this list of our favorite Chromecast apps, and find a full list of Chromecast-friendly apps at Google’s “Now Casting” directory.
