Report: ESPN Direct-to-Consumer App to be Called… ‘ESPN’
In a most underwhelming choice, CNBC is reporting ESPN will call its upcoming streaming app “ESPN.” Company officials previously said the service would be available in the ESPN app, so maybe it makes sense.
The problem is the confusion that comes from trying to communicate which version of ESPN you have. There will be two very different versions of ESPN.
One version of ESPN is just one linear channel available with live TV providers like DIRECTV and Sling TV. This ESPN is separate from its sister channels like ESPN2, ESPNews, and ESPNU.
The other version of ESPN is a standalone streaming option that will also have all the content from ESPN2, SEC Network, ABC sports, and much more.
So when you, the consumer, try to find out if a TV provider includes “ESPN,” you’ll also have to do some digging to find out which ESPN it is.
CNBC reports ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro decided on the name “to simplify what’s become a cluttered streaming world.” But this only adds more confusion as far as we’re concerned.
I suppose this makes sense coming from a company that offers two very different products, both called “Hulu” – one that is only on-demand content and one that includes dozens of live TV channels.
Just imagine Googling “How can I watch ESPN?” You’re going to have to go down a rabbit hole to see which is which. Further complicating things, ESPN+ will still exist. That’s also confusing.
It’s the most confusing naming setup since Petchow Rat Poison.
