ESPN Mobile Gets Second Life with Verizon

BRISTOL, February 8: ESPN is relaunching its shuttered mobile
service in deals announced today with Verizon Wireless and MediaFLO.

The sports broadcaster shut down its mobile virtual network
operator (MVNO) last year after failing to attract enough subscribers. In the
deal with Verizon Wireless, scores, sports news and video content from shows
such as SportsCenter and Around
the Horn will be available to V Cast
customers for no additional charge. Select ESPN Insider content and management
of ESPN fantasy games teams also will be available. V CAST costs $15 per month.

"ESPN has built the best wireless sports application of
its kind and we are extremely pleased to offer our unique content and unmatched
innovation through the nation's leading wireless carrier and data
provider," said Salil Mehta, the executive VP of ESPN Enterprises.
"For ESPN, this is the right strategy and the right carrier relationship
to grow our business while serving millions of sports fans with the information
they want, when and how they want it."

The MediaFLO deal, meanwhile, calls for the rollout of a
24-hour ESPN channel for mobile phones. The new ESPN Mobile TV channel will
offer a selection of live, simulcast sports events; breaking sports news,
commentary and analysis; and real-time sports scores and game updates. MediaFLO
USA will deliver this content directly to subscribers’ mobile phones. “The time
is right to offer the first–ever sports wireless channel, ESPN Mobile
TV,” said Mehta. “Historically, ESPN has been the leader in adopting new
technologies to serve sports fans, and MediaFLO USA’s mobile entertainment
service will make ESPN’s world-class programming come to life on the newest
generation of mobile phones.”

The MediaFLO TV-quality mobile service is slated for rollout
to Verizon Wireless customers this year. According to reports, Sprint has also
been trialing the service, which has lined up content deals with a host of
providers, including NBC Universal, CBS Corporation, Fox Interactive Media and
MTV Networks. “MediaFLO USA is revolutionizing television by offering, for the first
time, must-see programming from world-class entertainment brands in a
crystal-clear mobile viewing environment,” said Gina Lombardi, the president of
MediaFLO USA. “One of the keys to the broad adoption of mobile TV is the
availability of high-quality content, and our agreement with ESPN will be a
compelling draw for sports fans who want anytime, anywhere access to unmatched
sports programming.”