WatchESPN, an app that allows users to stream live TV content to devices over Wi-Fi or cellular data connections, is now available for Android devices. ESPN released the app for the iPhone and iPod touch last month and we’ve definitely been enjoying it, so seeing the network follow up with an Android app last week was most certainly welcomed. WatchESPN streams live content from ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com provided you subscribe to a cable TV package from one of ESPN’s partner companies. If your cable provider isn’t among those listed by ESPN, however, you’re unfortunately out of luck.

[Via Business Insider]

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ESPN has announced that its new WatchESPN application is now available for iOS devices including the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. The free app provides content from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN3.com to Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, and Verizon FIOS TV customers, and allows subscribers of those networks to stream content on their iOS devices. After installing the app, you’ll need to provide your cable subscriber credentials before accessing the goods. ESPN says that a version that’s specifically optimized for the iPad will launch – for free – in May. It also has plans to launch on other smartphones and tablets in the future, which suggests that an Android version is in the works. Hit the jump for the full release.

App Gives Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Verizon FiOS TV Subscribers Live Access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com content

NEW YORK, N.Y. – April 7, 2011 – ESPN announced today its flagship network ESPN as well as ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com are now available to Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Verizon FiOS TV subscribers via the new ‘WatchESPN’ App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, now available on the App Store.

In time for the early rounds of the Masters, the NBA Playoffs and the beginning of the Major League Baseball season, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Verizon FiOS TV subscribers who receive the linear networks as part of their video subscription can now watch the channels from the convenience of their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.

“Innovation continues to drive ESPN,” said George Bodenheimer, president, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports. “When we launched in 1979, nobody envisioned a day when people would carry ESPN in their pockets.  But here we are.  And we’ve reached this watershed moment for the industry through tremendous collaboration with forward-thinking partners.”

The free WatchESPN App includes a simple user interface that takes the current online viewing experience to the high-resolution, Multi-Touch displays of iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Once a user downloads WatchESPN from the App Store, they will receive instructions to enter their cable subscriber credentials and access their favorite ESPN content on their device. A version of the application optimized for the Apple iPad will be available free to download in May.

Added Sean Bratches, executive vice president, sales and marketing for ESPN, “This represents the culmination of our efforts over the last five years. We strive to serve the sports fan wherever they consume sports, and I can’t think of a better way to do that than making our networks available to fans whenever and wherever they might be.”

The company first launched an online-accessible authenticated version of ESPN in October, 2010. Authenticated versions of ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater/Goal Line launched in January, 2011. Consumers can access the channels through a centralized website, ESPNnetworks.com.

The WatchESPN App is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore.

The App will be available on other smartphones and tablets in the near future.

Here’s another reason for Samsung Captivate owners to be aggravated after yesterday’s debacle — Android phone owners with Android 2.2 (Froyo) or later now have access to streaming content from Netflix, Hulu, ESPN 3, Fox, Comedy Central, Spike, CNN, PBS and more thanks to the arrival of PlayOn for Android. PlayOn, MediaMall Technologies’ premier product, allows Windows PC users to stream popular video content from their home computers to a TV, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Android device. Setup is incredibly simple and content can be streamed to Android devices over Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G. MediaMall offers a free two-week trial of PlayOn to new users and then charges $39.99 for the first year of service and $19.99 for each following year. Alternatively, a $79.99 lifetime subscription is available as well. The PlayOn app for Android is available immediately in the Android Market. Hit the jump for MediaMall Technologies’ full press release along with a video explaining how it all works.

Android Gets PlayOn Support and More Video Content Streaming Than Ever Before

Now Watch Hulu, Netflix, TBS, Oprah, Nickelodeon, ESPN3 and Many Others on your Android Device

Seattle – February 17, 2011 - After months of Beta testing, MediaMall Technologies, Inc. today announced that it has officially launched support for Android devices. The free software update and free PlayOn™ Mobile app for Android 2.2 and higher are now available to PlayOn Premium customers, enabling users to stream online video and personal media with Adobe Flash technology from a networked PC to Android mobile devices over 3G or Wi-Fi. PlayOn’s media library contains video content from providers including Hulu (ABC, NBC, Fox, etc.), Amazon VOD, Netflix IQ, TBS, CBS, PBS, the Oprah Winfrey Network, CNN, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Nickelodeon, ESPN3, NFL Rewind, MLB, MTV, VH1, Syfy, Spike, TV.com, The Ultimate Fighter and others.

“We’re pleased to add Android to our ever-growing list of compatible devices for streaming online video content,” states Jeff Lawrence, CEO of MediaMall Technologies. “Our goal is to make it easy for everyone to affordably access online video content using the screen of their choice. With support for Xbox 360, PlayStation3, Wii, Google TV, Roku, iOS, and now Android, among a multitude of other DLNA-compliant devices, PlayOn offers the most affordable one-stop solution for accessing online video content on your living room TV and mobile device.”

Existing PlayOn Premium customers may download the PlayOn Mobile app for free from the Android Marketplace. Those new to PlayOn can try it out free for 14 days, after which PlayOn and its full library of content, including updates for new channels and supported devices, can be purchased for $39.99 for the first year and $19.99 for each year thereafter.

PlayOn Premium customers with Android 2.2+ need just to download the PlayOn Mobile app from the Android Marketplace and initially pair the device over the local Wi-Fi network with the PlayOn media server. The device may then be used to stream online video and personal media content over 3G or Wi-Fi anywhere in the world where you can get a signal. In addition to Android, PlayOn also currently features mobile support for iOS devices including the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

For a full list of content providers and supported hardware platforms, and to try PlayOn for free, please visit: http://www.PlayOn.tv.

At E3 this afternoon, Microsoft announced that it will be bringing over 3,500 live sporting events a year to the Xbox 360 via a partnership with ESPN. The new alliance will bring ESPN3 content, polls, instant replays, and social data directly to your Xbox gaming rig, complete with Kinect integration; all that is required of you is an Xbox LIVE gold membership and a love of sports.

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Good news for all of you football soccer fanatics, as two major wireless carriers — Sprint in the U.S. and Rogers in Canada — have announced that their subscribers will be able to watch the historic tournament unfold before their very eyes on their mobile phones. In the U.S., Sprint has entered into a partnership with ESPN to make 56 of the tournaments 64 matches available through ESPN Mobile TV. This service will be provided as a part of Sprint TV and will be free to anyone who has a Everything Data plan. In Canada, Rogers Wireless will allow its Rogers on Demand Mobile subscribers with an Android, BlackBerry or iPhone device to watch all 64 matches from their phone the Rogers on Demand Mobile app. The caveat here is that the service costs $5 per month in addition to a one-time $10 fee to enable access to World Cup coverage. You Canadians are hip enough to the scene to know that was to be expected, right?

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Hulu may be getting a healthy dose of new programming content courtesy of Disney. According to sources close to the situation, Hulu and Disney are in serious negotiations to bring Disney programming to the online video portal. The talks reportedly focus on ABC programming content which include the popular TV series  Desperate Housewives and LOST, but may include programming from other Disney assets as well. In exchange for providing content, Disney is requesting an equity stake in Hulu on par with NBC Universal and News Corp and possibly performance incentives. With the relationship between Hulu and CBS souring, Hulu could use a high profile deal to boost its position in the increasingly competitive online video marketplace.

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Football commentary goes virtual today when ESPN’s NFL Countdown will debut EA Sport’s new Virtual Playbook technology. A specialized digital studio camera and an adaptation of EA’s Madden NFL video game will combine to create a virtual field filled with virtual players and live commentators. Commentators can use the gaming engine to analyze team strategy, recreate plays, and simulate “what if” scenarios (what if Eli Manning scrambled instead of throwing to David Tyree on 3rd and 5 with 1:15 remaining, would the Giants still have come home winners?). We don’t know but maybe this new Virtual Playbook technology can tell us. Anyway, starting ttoday our NFL football commentary will be reduced elevated to grown men dancing around inside a video game, interacting with virtual players. Kinda freaky, yet really cool.

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