Our sister site PaidContent.org is reporting that ESPN (NYSE: DIS) and Major League Baseball’s Advanced Media group (MLBAM) are extending their digital rights deal through 2013. Staci Kramer covered the news in two posts, one of which covers the basics, and in another that includes interviews with ESPN’s John Skipper and MLBAM’s Bob Bowman. Specifically, the deal will include alternative devices, such as phones, but also video game consoles and MP3 players.

Here’s the details:

—Platforms included: The deal covers ESPN.com, ESPN360.com, ESPN’s mobile initiatives (ESPN Mobile TV, ESPN Mobile Publishing, ESPN MVP), and emerging platforms including video game consoles, interactive television, interactive online (ESPN Game Cast) and portable devices (examples: iTunes/iPod, Zune, XBox Live). This includes “all new platforms ESPN creates or develops relationships with through the end of the agreement.” It also covers syndication of ESPN-licensed content.

—Countries covered: The rights extend worldwide with the exception of some Asian and Pacific Rim markets, including Korea, Japan, China and other countries covered under a different agreement with ESPN Star.

—Live streaming: For the first time, Major League Baseball will allow live streaming of games. In addition to live game and event streaming, ESPN gets expanded online and mobile highlight rights.

—The reason for the new deal: Skipper explained that a lot of the earlier deal was structured around Mobile ESPN because “we needed extensive rights to do our own phone.” But since the MVNO has now defunct, it made sense to reexamine the rights.

• ESPN-MLBAM Extend Digital Rights Deal Through 2013; Live Game Streaming, International
• ESPN-MLBAM: Skipper: ‘Just Needed A New Deal’, Bowman: Local Live Steaming ‘When Time Is Right’