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ESPN3 Turns Xbox Into Sports Arena

  • Adweek, Tuesday, June 15, 2010 11:52 PM

ESPN has inked an exclusive, multiyear deal with Microsoft to deliver ESPN3 (formerly ESPN360) via Xbox Live, the Web-based entertainment platform which reaches more than 20 million gamers worldwide. That means Xbox Live subscribers will be able to stream over 3,500 live events, ranging from college bowl games to Grand Slam tennis tournaments, as well as on-demand video clips and highlights, reports Adweek. The deal marks the first time ESPN3 will be available to a significant number of TV viewers. The deal gives Xbox a first opportunity to offer its subscribers live content, while ESPN gets the hard-to-reach game-playing male demo.

In fact, videogames in general are about to get a big bounce, notes The Hollywood Reporter. The massive E3 Expo is showcasing 3D and 4D games, in an industry expected to grow, from 2011-14, at a clip of 5.1%-6.5% annually. PricewaterhouseCoopers preditcs that consumers in North America will spend 7.2% more this year on video game software, hardware and accessories than it did last year. Microsoft and Sony are ready to unveil new offerings.

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