The Walt Disney Company-owned ESPN Network is currently in talks with Apple Inc. to offer subscribers online access to ESPN programming via the Apple TV device. This would enable those who confirm they are paid television subscribers to access the WatchESPN app on Apple TV.
Sean Bratches, ESPN’s vice president of affiliate and advertising sales, says:
We’re a platform-agnostic content company. To the extent that in the future there’s an opportunity with Apple to authenticate through the pay-TV food chain as we’re doing with Microsoft, that’s something that we will participate in.
However, a spokesperson for the Bristol, Connecticut-based ESPN said that there are no conversations happening with Apple about allowing WatchESPN to appear on their TV device. As of this writing, no spokespeople for Apple have come forward with comments. We’ll keep you updated on this story when more news becomes available.
