ESPN Updates ESPN360.com Player

Sports programmer, ESPN, has launched an updated version of the player that forms the core of its subscription-based broadband video service, ESPN360.com (note: according to ESPN, in September ESPN360.com's total hours spent viewing and unique viewers were up nearly 400% over the year-ago period). "ESPN360.com's first full year as a live broadband TV network has been an amazing success," ESPN360.com VP, Damon Phillips, said in a prepared statement. "We streamed more than 3,000 live sports events--including some of the biggest events on the global sports scene--and, with the release of our enhanced player and homepage, the year ahead will be even better."

According to ESPN, new features offered by version 2.0 of the ESPN360.com player include:

• The ability to conduct chats with other users while watching the same game.
• The addition of live stats and scores from ESPN Gamecast, updated as viewers watch a game.
• A complete scoreboard for other games.
• Enhanced "compact" and "large" video viewing modes that feature collapsible schedule, game info and scoreboard panels.
• An enhanced mosaic that offers five widescreen-capable video screens (i.e. a main video window and four thumbnails) and easier navigation.
• True full-screen video capability.
• Improved fast-forward and rewind controls, including x2, x4 and x8 speeds.
• Schedules of events, grouped by sport, league and date.

ESPN has also revamped the ESPN360.com homepage in an effort to improve navigation and the organization of its content, and to increase ad inventory.