• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, May 15, 2013

Hispanic-targeted ESPN Deportes unveiled its new app, ESPN Sync, at its upfront presentation Wednesday afternoon. The network billed it as the first Spanish-language Web-based app for sports that is accessible by multiple platforms, including iOS, Android and Windows.

The app will synchronize live sports events across devices and enable interactions with the events, as well as videos, polls, stats, news and social media. Ad integrations are also available, the network said.

For the lead-up to next year’s World Cup soccer championship, the network announced various soccer-related programs, including "Destino Futbol," a 16-episode documentary series chronicling the sport.

The network will package a series of qualifying matches and pre- and post-match analysis under the Destino Brasil banner. In addition, producers from ESPN Films will create a new series that highlights some of the major stories around soccer. That content will be produced for Spanish, English and Portuguese audiences.

Starting this season, ESPN Deportes will televise the NBA Finals. The network said it is the first time that any Spanish-language cable network will offer live coverage of the championship series. According to a survey taken by the network, 55% of Hispanic sports fans are NBA fans.

As part of ESPN’s new multiplatform rights extension with Major League Baseball, ESPN Deportes and some of its digital extensions will carry more MLB coverage than before. Next season, the network will carry games three nights a week, with special coverage on Opening Day, and some holidays.

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