We’re Launching ESPN3 and Streaming ESPN Online On October 25th

Oct 22 2010

We’re Launching ESPN3 and Streaming ESPN Online On October 25th

Forget about looking at pictures of your exes’ kids on Facebook. Forget about cat videos on YouTube and reruns on Hulu. What we are about to offer our customers under the beard of “TV Everywhere” is the greatest threat to workplace productivity since the three-martini lunch.

As of October 25th, Time Warner Cable customers with ESPN as a part of their video subscription will have access to a live simulcast of ESPN onto their computers as well as access to ESPN3.com.

From the press release:

At launch, the new authenticated service will give Time Warner Cable subscribers the opportunity to watch ESPN’s linear network online. In the near future, access to ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater will also be offered through this same process, as well as on other Internet enabled devices such as mobile phones and tablets. Consumers can access the channels through a centralized web site, ESPNnetworks.com.

ESPN3.com, ESPN’s live sports broadband service, will also be available to Time Warner Cable subscribers who get ESPN through their video subscription. ESPN3.com gives fans a 24/7 online destination that delivers more than 3,500 live, global sports events annually. Fans can toggle between up to 20 events in a main viewing window, and with a single click, jump to another event. Video can be viewed in widescreen (16:9) and normal (4:3) views and can be expanded to full screen or reduced to a compact size. Recently completed events are archived and available for on-demand replay.

Sure, this is added value to our customers. And yes, it brings ESPN to the fan who wants to watch the game on the train ride home, at the airport, or in the other room while their kids watch cartoons on the main TV.

But let’s call this thing what it is. It’s the mother of all value-adds to the biggest audience of all: the screwing-around-at-work network. The entire Internet economy is built on simultaneously enhancing and destroying workplace productivity, and now that’s going to a WHOLE new level.

Now our customers don’t have to sneak out to sports bars during March Madness or pull little radios out of their desks during the World Series. Now our customers can stream all the sports they like all day long — whether they’re at home, at the doctor’s office, or sleepwalking their way through an important conference call.

Every March, the same old stories come out about productivity slipping because people can’t tear themselves away from all the red-hot college basketball action. Some people buy ‘em, other people think they’re bogus.

Scientists should have some pretty solid data for sure by March 2012.

In order to register, you ‘ll need a MyServices account, which you can learn more about here: How To Manage Your Account Online With My Services

Categories: Content Delivery, Cool Stuff, Future of the Industry, TV Everywhere

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132 Responses to “We’re Launching ESPN3 and Streaming ESPN Online On October 25th”

dread pirate roberts
Oct 29, 2010
at 8:45 am

@Warren, well it does say you have to have ESPN to access ESPN3. Maybe you found a bug and now it may be fixed.

@Cary, I would like to hear of the bad customer service you’ve been given. There is info here, including the web site. I posted it myself. Take another look with a positive attitude, not a crappy one. Here you go, I felt sorry for you….http://espn.go.com/espnnetworks
Make sure you turn off the pop-up blocker, or you’ll be back on here…

@AJ…”18 billion dollars in revenue and they make you pay up $80 extra if you want access to merely on website’s content. Way to look out for your customers!” WAY TO LOOK OUT FOR YOUR STOCK HOLDERS!! So what do you want? as a stock holder, I’m glad they are an 18 B dollar business. What you suggest is, because of the revune that TWC has, they should GIVE AWAY the service? Is that what you are saying, because I’m confused. What is WRONG with PROFIT in America? DO you think we should “spread the wealth?” Kable TV for EVERYONE…FREE?? 80 dollars for access….what are you talking about?

But….RENT IS STILL TOO DAMN HIGH!!! What about that???? LOL
Brandon
Oct 29, 2010
at 9:04 am

I was told by ESPN, that they are going to add TWC to the ESPN Xbox App. I was told no date has been determined. Just so everyone knows and can ease about the Xbox 360.
Brandon
Oct 29, 2010
at 9:06 am

@Jeff Simmermon

I am not having any issues with ESPN3. Just so you know. Thanks and keep up the good work on the blog!
Warren S.
Oct 29, 2010
at 10:19 am

@Dread Pirate Roberts

You must have not read my previous post fully. I did not find a bug. I said my wife’s grandmother could access ESPN3.com at my house using her account login because she is subscribed to TV service (and TV service only). I’m not subscribed to TV service and cannot access ESPN3.com using my account login. I was just stating that it sucks when she can be at my house on my computer and can access ESPN3.com when she logs in, but when I’m paying for the internet connection and log in with my credentials I cannot access the site.
dread pirate roberts
Oct 29, 2010
at 3:40 pm

@ Warren S. I read and understood. It appears there MAY be a bug in the verification system they set up, maybe? It lets the TV subscribers sign because it sees the ESPN service to that account, but when a customer w/RR tries to log in, it won’t allow it because it dosen’t see the ESPN service. That’s a great fix for you! Use her log in info and you are golden!! So it begs the question now, IF you are a customer w/TV and Internet, and you are at your buddies house, and they have a different Internet service, will you be able to log in or do you have to be on a RR line???? Interesting!!! I know with my Outlook, if I am not directly plugged into my RR line, it won’t access the SMTP server. example: If I log on when I am using a computer on my router, it won’t send the e mail, but if I bypass the router, it send it right out. Now THAT has bugged me for years. It works OK with Outlook Express, just not with Outlook. I’ve been on line with tier 3 before and they can’t figure it out, saying it’s a microsoft issue and to reload the soft ware. Did it, no diff. So i mostly stick to Yahoo e mail now. Sorry off topic….:-)
Have a great weekend!!!
Warren S.
Oct 29, 2010
at 3:52 pm

@Dread Pirate Roberts

I gotcha now with what you were saying. It is definitely a workaround to be used for me to view the content online. But one day I hope the higher ups get the comments we are making and say “You know, the internet only customers should have access to the website.” (Hey I can dream right?) Anyhow, hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoy some college football!
Hobgoblin
Oct 30, 2010
at 10:45 pm

@Dread Pirate Roberts

You do not have to be connected through RR to access ESPN3.
Walt
Oct 31, 2010
at 1:05 pm

Here is a question:

I am a Insight cable and internet customer in Westerville, Ohio who has Road Runner internet through Insight. How do I access ESPN3.com?
T
Oct 31, 2010
at 1:48 pm

Hey everyone,

I live in an apartment building with business class time warner internet AND time warner cable with ESPN. I can’t set this up because I don’t have an account number. what do i do? I meet all the criteria

-T
Jeff Simmermon
Oct 31, 2010
at 3:12 pm

Hey there — you need to either call customer service or work with online care at @twcablehelp on Twitter or email at twcable.help.com. It may be a hassle at first, but you’ll get it squared away.
Jeff Simmermon
Oct 31, 2010
at 3:13 pm

If you’re an insight customer, your access is determined by your relationship with Insight Communications. Is that what you mean — you have their cable service?
Walt
Oct 31, 2010
at 4:08 pm

Jeff,

I have Insight digital cable and internet. Insight customer service told me that Insight internet is provided via Time Warner’s Road Runner service in my area. (I’m in Westerville, Ohio)

Do I have access to ESPN 3?
Jeff Simmermon
Oct 31, 2010
at 6:49 pm

I don’t know. I think the easiest thing to do would be to go to ESPN3.com and check — it seems as though you have a deal with Insight — and Insight contracts to us. Do you see Insight as a provider option at ESPN3?
Nick
Nov 01, 2010
at 6:38 am

Any date on when TW gets added on Xbox LIve??? hopfully Before Nov 6…Come ON!!
Brandon
Nov 01, 2010
at 11:11 am

@Nick: Read my comment above.
James Gomis
Nov 01, 2010
at 11:54 am

I’m having alot of trouble rapping my head over the fact that Espn3 works flawlessly for roadrunner only subscribers via PC, but not via the Xbox 360.

Any comment on this? Free the internet!
Jason
Nov 01, 2010
at 1:17 pm

@ Mr. Simmermon

Could you please give us any information you may have on the ESPN3 via Xbox Live issue? I’ve checked the ESPN3 website and TWC is listed under their Xbox Live section as being apart of this but none of us are getting this feature. I use TWC for my ISP, cable provider, and telephone provider so I know there isn’t a problem with my service plan. My guess is that TWC is working through some technical issues but it would be great to see this from someone who has more knowledge on the subject than just us customers. Thank you for your time.
Brian
Nov 01, 2010
at 2:54 pm

This is ridiculous. Time Warner finally gets ESPN3, and they don’t have it on Xbox? I’m nearing done with this company.
Jason
Nov 01, 2010
at 4:38 pm

This is directly from ESPN.

“Time Warner has asked that we authenticate their subscribers differently than we have done in the past for ESPN3 users. As a result, we are not able to offer ESPN3 to XBox Live users yet. We hope to be able to provide the service by the end of the year.”
James Gomis
Nov 01, 2010
at 6:08 pm

Will road runner only users who currently enjoy espn3 on the pc receive it on the 360 when the app is updated?

This still doesn’t explain what will happen to road runner only users. We currently get espn3 “powered by time warner” via the PC. I can confirm that there are a bunch of RR only users with no time warner cable service history (via dslreports forums) all around the country enjoying ESPN3 after creating a myservices acct.

Weather this is a huge glitch or intentional will determine if we get it for the xbox360 when the app is updated.
Caleb W
Nov 01, 2010
at 10:37 pm

Just an assumption here, but I would imagine that the XBOX authentication simply checks for the ISP and doesn’t verify that they are a cable subscriber as well.

ESPN probably doesn’t care whether you are a cable subscriber or not for access to ESPN3. I would think that it is all about the per subscriber fee for ESPN3 (which might have been negotiated down by saying that everyone who has access to ESPN3 is also an ESPN subscriber).

Whoever is at fault (ESPN, TWC, or both) should be ashamed of the way they are doing business. I looked on ESPN’s website which said that they had TWC as a provider and I purchased an XBOX and a gold subscription because I wanted to use the ESPN3 replays on my TV.

I personally believe that this is an issue with TWC and not ESPN since TWC seems to have forced a different contract and different stipulations with ESPN because they are scared of their customers going over the top.

Of course neither company will be straight and give any kind of a true explanation on why this deal has been done in the manner that it has been done. ESPN is also in a much better position than TWC since there is pretty much no way to get cable without ESPN. There are plenty of ways to get cable without TWC. I can do without ESPN3, but I was excited to have it as an addon. Now that they’ve enticed me to purchase items (I needed a new XBOX and a gold subscription) and basically yanked that rug out of under me has actually made me have less than I had before since the website doesn’t interest me much.

Tomorrow I’m going to start searching for a new ISP and cable company. This isn’t the first time that they’ve been horrible to me as a customer and I’m going to vote with my dollars.

I know individually that I won’t make a difference, but hopefully there’s enough people that feel similarly to me that TWC gets their act together and changes the way they treat their customers.
dread pirate roberts
Nov 02, 2010
at 9:08 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk

For all you X box whiners!!! Give me a break…I’M DONE BECAUSE IT DOESN’T WORK ON X BOX…..WAAA WAAAA see the video and discover you are one of them!!
Brandon
Nov 02, 2010
at 10:29 am

For Everyone Complaining About ESPN on Xbox LIVE.

GO to the link i have provided. ESPN has an answer regarding TWC’s access to ESPN3 on Xbox LIVE.

http://espn.go.com/espn3/faq
Maestro
Nov 03, 2010
at 9:40 pm

The ESPN streaming is the fig leaf to justify screwing the RR only customers … that’s pretty clear.

“Oh, we just did it this way because we’re doing MORE than just providing ESPN3 to OUR customers.”

Nice try.
Zaid
Nov 04, 2010
at 10:27 pm

If I already got Espn on my tv, why would I care if I got it on my computer? Espn3 was designed for people whose only interest in television is sports. You say you want to stay away from net neutrality issues. How about allowing me to simply pay TWC for a sports package and nothing else?
Look at the trend in all media forms, whether it is television, music, or print. They are moving toward episode/content specific purchases. That is, buy an individual song, not an album, rent an episode, buy an individual article. But you guys cling for dear life to an archaic system. I want two channels on my television, espn, and espn2. If you gave me that option, I’d pay for it in a heart beat. Is it worth $80 a month? Not even close.
You are right that espn3 is a pay service. The question however, is why you feel that that fee should be assessed to your television subscribers rather than your internet subscribers. A person with television only from TWC can’t access espn3 without a participating ISP (TWC or other). An internet subscriber can at least access it, and whether they chose to or not is a different argument. So when you say it’s unfair to charge for the service many people will not use, why do you turn around and charge television providers for a service that many CAN’T use even if they wanted to?

I will say that blame does not entirely rest on TWC. ESPN has taken a dangerous stance requiring ISPs pay them for a pay site instead of individual customers. Ideal solution would be for espn to offer individual subscriptions to espn3, though I’m sure TWC would find a way to block that “extension of their video service.”
Real
Nov 05, 2010
at 11:25 am

And begins the exodus from RR to U-Verse and Fios.
Joe
Nov 05, 2010
at 11:49 pm

So is Verizon Fios coming to Rochester? If so, does anyone know when?I hope to ditch TW as soon as a viable alternative is available. Earthlink seems like a TW subsidiary in disguise and DSL is not the same product.

I’m tired of monopolistic cable companies that over charge because the consumer has no real choice other than to forsake modern living. They increase the internet fee’s to cover their losses in the video market but don’t compensate us internet subscribers by giving us some added features, like ESPN3. I don’t subscribe to cable TV (other than the basic and that’s only because it’s included in my rent and why else would I when broadcast HD TV is free, better quality and has the channels I would watch anyway) because I don’t watch TV very often. However, I was hoping to use my XBOX to stream soccer games. That’s the only thing I would watch via ESPN3 and I wouldn’t pay for a bunch of junk cable stations I would never watch simply to get FSC or ESPN (which doesn’t broadcast many soccer games anyway). I’m sure that fee increase would have easily covered the increased cost of giving RR customers access to ESPN3 and I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually is paying for the ESPN3 deal. Anyways, end rant. If anyone can answer my fios question above I’d be glad for the answer.
Bill B
Nov 06, 2010
at 7:28 am

I’m through with Time Warner. I’ll take my chances with Clear before I’ll give another dime such a greedy company.

NONE of the other providers who have been offering their customers ESPN3 for months require video service as well as internet. TWC is just sticking it to the people that had the good sense to get a dish.

It’s bad enough that TWC gouges me and charges $55 for a slow internet connection, but I put up with it because they are the only game in town.
Frustrated in Columbus
Nov 08, 2010
at 10:30 pm

When will TWC get it’s act together and support the Xbox 360? This is freaking ridiculous. C’mon TW. Support the 360!!!
dread pirate roberts
Nov 10, 2010
at 8:51 am

C’mon MAN why do you NEED to run your service through a stupid X-Box?? My DVR has more HD space than an x box, so why??? Just to be “cool” and show off to your buddies….YO look at what I can do!! LOL
dread pirate roberts
Nov 10, 2010
at 8:52 am

Joe, TWC in NOT a monopolistic cable company!! LOL DO you even KNOW what a monoploy is?
Dante
Nov 12, 2010
at 3:19 pm

@Dread Pirate Roberts

It’s abundantly apparent that you have no clue as to what the ESPN app does on the XBox. It would be a great feature to have, letting people view content from ESPN3.com on their tv, and in many cases in HD.

Jeff gets paid to cheerlead for TWC, what’s your excuse?
J. Cole
Nov 14, 2010
at 12:02 pm

@Dread Pirate Roberts

No, the problem is that TWC is being unfair to its RR only and cable only customers. Every other Internet/TV provider only requires you to have their internet services to access a site designed for the Internet. Some companies even allow you to use espn3 if you have any account with them. By only allowing subscribers of both internet and TV they are isolated a large user base, who i bet will leave TWC as quick as possible. We are not asking for it to be free, but we don’t want to be cheated either.
dread pirate roberts
Nov 15, 2010
at 11:26 am

@Dante, you mean the same way you can connect a lap top via an HDMI connection and watch it? Is that how the xbox works? How does it determine if it’s in HD?
dread pirate roberts
Nov 15, 2010
at 11:35 am

@ J. Cole. IMHO, I don’t think it’s unfair to non video subscribers. The $$ portion of that contract is wrapped up on the video side, not the voice or internet side although it’s an internet app. The other providers have a different contract with different rules. I don’t thnk a lot of people are leaving TWC becasue of this. The percentage will not make a difference in the bottom line. In your last line: “We are not asking for it to be free, but we don’t want to be cheated either.” if you don’t contribute towards the cost via the video side, then you are asking something for free, so I don’t know how you feel cheated when you contribute no $$ towards the product. We subs on the video side, have to pay for it, use it or not, so in essense we have to pay for you or any other internet only customer. Right now, ESPN contract is ~ 4.32 per subscriber on the video side. The most of all content providers. You don’t contribute to that cost. Simple.
dread pirate roberts
Nov 15, 2010
at 11:46 am

@ Dante: “Jeff gets paid to cheerlead for TWC, what’s your excuse?” I have no excuse. I won’t sit and read Jeff get ripped over something I don’t agree with. Call me a “cheerleader” if you wish. I am not high on drama and over the top rhetoric I read on here. 1) TWC is a monopoly-please OTTDAR (over the top drama and rhetoric) 2) ESPN3 and TWC is blocking access to a portion of the internet OTTDAR 3) The Xbox “free the internet” comment = OTTDAR 4) The DAY AFTER ESPN3 was announced, Jeff got called a lot of names because it was not up and running yet, people screaming they were not getting what they were pating for. OTTDAR. Just a few examples. America is free, and freedom allows you to make a choice. That choice was TWC. If you don’t like it, make another choice. I don’t have NFL Network, and I want it, but it’s my CHOICE not to switch to Uverse/DTV/DISH/Grande/COX/Brighthouse ect….
dread pirate roberts
Nov 15, 2010
at 12:01 pm

http://i.imgur.com/h2LS9.png

Check this link. My mistake- ESPN is 4.08 per subscriber.
Doug
Nov 15, 2010
at 11:10 pm

What a joke this is. TW continues to raise rates on broadband and yet provides not a single extra benefit. Why the heck would I care about ESPN3 as a TWC subscriber?

I’m moving to UVerse.
macedon23
Nov 16, 2010
at 4:42 pm

Does anyone here agree that we have been waiting too long for ESPN 3d? The last time I posted this question it was censored and deleted. What is going on with this website? No freedom of speech?
Jeff Simmermon
Nov 16, 2010
at 5:23 pm

I fundamentally disagree on both fronts. You left the same comment in two different places. I published it in one and deleted it in the other. That’s not censorship, it’s community management. As for ESPN 3D — we are working towards launching the channel. When we have information we can share, you’ll see it here.
dread pirate roberts
Nov 17, 2010
at 7:39 am

@ macedon23

What kind of 3D TV do you have?
dread pirate roberts
Nov 17, 2010
at 7:43 am

@ Doug, I’ve never had my RR rates increased. I’m at the max for my package. How much do you pay? Are you on a promotion? You may be on a promotion and are seeing 5.00 increases every 6 months as it expires and goes to normal pricing. That happens a lot when a subscriber gets RR for 29.95 for 6 months, they always forget it’s a special and it goes up 5.00 per month every 6 months. Then the tears flow and the b!tching starts!! LOL
macedon23
Nov 21, 2010
at 1:17 am

Mitsubishi wd73c9. Great tv, ESPN 3D would look great on it. TWC has about 12 or so free 3d on demand movies that work perfectly so the technical capability is clearly there. I just don’t understand why it isn’t available yet. I don’t mean to sound whiney but for real what is the hold up? We missed all the college football season including several Ohio state (my alma mater) 3d games. Please just get it too the fans! The bcs championship game is coming as well as college basketball! Give sports fans what we want!!!
Andrew
Nov 21, 2010
at 1:47 am

@dread pirate roberts

If you don’t have a choice what else can you call it? many people in new york city have no choice.

we don’t have another cable operator, we don’t have access to fios in many places in manhattan, we can’t place dishes because we are blocked from tall buildings or aren’t facing the correct direction.

Also concerning the xbox, its not about being cool. there’s plenty of content on espn3 that you don’t get on regular espn on cable. such as various international soccer games. Thats what I call over the top dramatic rhetoric. It would be nice to watch this stuff without having to connect my macbook to my projector.
dread pirate roberts
Nov 22, 2010
at 7:59 am

@Andrew. They have U-Verse in NYC. Is that not available where you live in NYC? i thought “The City” had everything?
Todd
Nov 29, 2010
at 4:15 pm

@ Dread Pirate Roberts

Guess not, why would he lie. I don’t understand why your constantly defending Time Warner when his customers are upset about not getting ESPN3 on their xbox or having a cable package to get access to it on their PC. Someone must be getting a paycheck from TW as much as you defend it. Unless it’s Jeff’s alias…
Jeff Simmermon
Nov 29, 2010
at 4:29 pm

Not my alias – I have no idea who that guy is.
dread pirate roberts
Nov 30, 2010
at 11:24 am

@ Todd, NO I haven’t got my check yet, or my set of steak knives!! Maybe it’s in the mail? I defend TWC because I am a customer. Have been for MANY years. I am a man of action, LOL and if I have issues, I take care of them, and stick with it until it’s resolved. When I hear someone complaining about this and that, I wonder why take time to complain on here. call your local office and get the issues resolved or move on to another provider. Simple. I think a fourm like this is good for communication and discussions about services and packages or helpful information. It does no good to flame Jeff because TWC is a monopoly, evil empire ect. No one ever explained WHY an x-box is such a big deal. Andrew explained why. he can get ESPN3 over the x-box on to his TV. Good info!!!! but I know U-verse is avaliable in NYC, per their web site, so Andrew may not have known. ESPN3 thing was explained and TWC is not going to change it’s postion on it. It makes sense from a business POV.
I am not happy with everything TWC, and I make any issue I have known to someone who can or in the case with NFL network, cannot do squat about it.
I have an issue this weekend and it took tier 3 to assist me, and some time on the phone with a great rep. She figured out what the problem was.
This blog is to communicate issues to the people in charge, hoping to get some help. Not scream at those trying to help out. You don’t like what I have to say? I am not Jeff and wouldn’t want his job!! he can’t tell the posters to back off. He has to close threads and go to the gym to work out the frustration he must feel. I do not have to do that. Like I said many times, if you don’t like your service, move on, it’s America and there are choices. You may not like the other choices and feel like you are stuck. If that’s the situation, then accept your situation and make the best of it. I want stuff, I want free stuff, I don’t want to make that 180 payment every month. But I do, and I don’t complain about it. Get in a PLG plan. Some people don’t understand the promotions they are in and blame TWC for raising the rates when they don’t bother to call billing and ask. It’s about being civil to eachother. We sit behind a computer screen saying things we would never say in person, so call a person if you have problems. I’ve never had TWC say they just can’t figure out why an issue is happening.
Brandon
Dec 06, 2010
at 10:32 am

@Jeff Simmermon

Are there any updates as on ESPN3 on Xbox LIVE?
John
Dec 09, 2010
at 12:12 pm

I just wanted to thank TWC again for making the decision to block ESPN3 from your internet service package for those who do not also subscribe to your cable tv service. It was the last remaining push I needed to completely block TWC from my household. My Verizon installer was here today and I’ll be watching my first game on the ESPN3 service in the next hour. It’s a great complement to the Direct TV I had installed a few months ago with NFL Sunday Ticket.

I was putting up with TWC’s broken equipment and rude technicians for well over 10 years. Not even the price gouging was enough to convince me to switch ($54.95 per month for internet only service). But when I can get Verizon for the same price plus have ESPN3 content and all of the rest of the content that I can get with TWC, I’d be a fool NOT to switch. So, once again, thank you.