As another example of the digital media outlets that were discussed in class yesterday, ESPN launched an on-demand video website in 2005, initially branded as ESPN360.com, and over time this initiative has transformed and rebranded into ESPN3 and incorporated into the WatchESPN platform that also carries simulcasts of the cable distributed mainstream ESPN channels. Now, ESPN3 in addition to the mainstream US sports like baseball, basketball etc., carries live streams of other niche sports (at least considered niche in the US) for which there is a significant total audience, just not concentrated in one particular regional market to be of interest to cable service providers.
Cricket, a popular international sport, was previously hard to watch in the US. In the past, you could view it either through websites that had questionable distribution rights (allegedly!), or through overpriced specialized websites like www.willow.tv. However, in either case, the quality of streams provided were less than ideal. However, with WatchESPN, the writer gets to enjoy his beloved cricket games every weekend (much to the dislike of his bride) in stunning HD quality. Good work ESPN!
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