MobileESPN To Relaunch As a Content App Exclusively With Verizon; Dumps Sprint; MediaFlo Channel Too
We have lots more details on this on MocoNews, but topline news: MobileESPN is relaunching, not as an MVNO but as a content application, exclusively on Verizon Wireless in a multi-year deal. The deal has not been finalized, this story says, but would be announced tomorrow, the story says.
This means ESPN has dumped Sprint, its MVNO backbone/network provider, or more likely, it went the other way around.
The multiyear agreement giving VZW exclusive U.S. rights to offer the MobileESPN application on its V Cast phones….also, the companies will also announce the mobile TV channel launch on its soon-to-come MediaFlo service on Verizon. More details here.
Feb 8, 2007 1:38 AM ET
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Feb 8, 2007 7:57 AM
What a waste of time and money – I am surprised at ESPN’s initial failure here. It was clear since day one. The only thing the previous formula had in common with ESPN with the extreme expenditure! I am sure they could have done great without the massive waste of dollars had they not gotten carried away as a team and valued their content much more since day one. Their MVNO was a great proposition for the market, and people would had embraced the formula had they taken the time to look into basic details such a customer conversion, handsets, contracts- wow!. They should have gone with VZ since day one. All things considered this is a good “rescue the operation” move with a better? partner. But WHY exclusive deals? Let’s see the economics of the formula to understand it.