ESPN Inks Deal with Xbox Live

By Geoff Duncan Published November 4, 2007

ESPN Inks Deal with Xbox Live — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Cable sports network powerhouse ESPN has signed a deal with Microsoft which will bring some of the network’s sports programming to Microsoft’s Xbox Live online video service. Xbox Live Marketplace will feature full-length NCAA college basketball and football games, the Summer X Games 13, and episodes of ESPN original programming like World Series of Poker,The Contender, and Madden Nation.

College sports video will launch with this Saturday’s football matchup between Oregon State and the University of Southern California.

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The move marks ESPN’s second major deal in the online arena: the network has been offering selected programming on Apple’s iTunes store since January 2006. ESPN is owned by Disney, and Disney has been a major participant in Apple’s online video efforts. Following Disney’s acquisition of animation studio Pixar, Apple’s Steve Job’s is Disney’s largest shareholder and holds a seat on the company’s board.

Standard-definition episodes of ESPN programs like The Contender on Xbox Live Marketplace will start at $2 per episode; two hour-long full length football and basketball games will be available within a few days of their original airing, and be priced at $3 for a standard-definition game, and $4.50 for a high-definition version.

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Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

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