In a first for the sports network, ESPN will stream live NCAA basketball games on Facebook. It?s an extension of ESPN3?s distribution, so that means users will have to be qualified (via an affiliated internet provider) to watch ESPN3 in the first place. And ESPN3 won?t stream the tournament ? just the 225 men?s and women?s Championship Week games, which get underway on Thursday. Still, it?s a big move to bring live, valuable video to Facebook.
(ESPN?s Facebook page with the new timeline design. The player will appear on Thursday.)
Beyond ESPN?s own Facebook pages, the ESPN3 player will also appear on team and conference Facebook pages, greatly increasing distribution. ?(It?s) another front door to our content,? explains ESPN3 vice president Damon Phillips in an interview with USA Today. ?We see this as a big opportunity. You fish where the fish are.?
ESPN said it would offer highlight video, too. If you?re using an affiliated internet service provider, the Facebook player will automatically authenticate you. Otherwise, you?ll need to log in.
So far, other than the occasional political events and some concerts, Facebook hasn?t been home to many TV-level live events. And TV brands have been reticent to offer their core content to Facebook. Undoubtedly, this is a bit of an experiment for ESPN, and it wouldn?t be a surprised if see more ESPN3 content there in the future.
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