If you can’t beat them, join them. That may be the new tagline for ESPN which, according to a CNBC report, wants to build a “one size fits all” broadcast board. Doing so will combine a list of all available streaming options into one hub where even streams from competing broadcasters are listed.
CNBC reports that ESPN has had discussions with sports leagues and media partners about the possibility. However, there is no timeline on if and when the hub will launch. If it did happen, it would likely be links from ESPN.com and/or the ESPN app.
Imagine a scenario where all the major sports available globally were featured in one directory on the ESPN website or app. The center would connect to legal broadcasts of all live games of different sports. That could include links to Amazon Prime, ESPN+, Paramount+, HBO Max, Peacock, MLS Season Pass, and even regional sports networks. Also, it could list what live games are on linear tv.
ESPN’s broadcast hub is now available for soccer fans
For football fans, this hub concept already exists. World Soccer Talk Free Soccer TV Schedules app aggregates all available soccer games into one easy to use app.
To find out when soccer games are being played, soccer fans download the free Soccer TV Schedules app that includes listings for all live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
In theory, the center makes a lot of sense for general sports fans. It will ensure that sports fans directly access ESPN for all their sports news, as well as when and where to watch live games. Even if those games are on competing broadcast companies, ESPN would still make money in the form of a commission when people sign up for rival streaming services. The same applies to World Soccer Talk, where we sometimes receive a commission through our partners’ links.
ESPN may be right with its idea of a hub to make it easier for general sports fans to know when, where and how to watch the games. A one-size-fits-all approach could be ideal for sports fans, especially at a time when the popularity of cord cutting continues to grow.
