ESPN Looks to Build Live Streaming Subscription Service for Soccer Matches in Near Future

ESPN is looking for more revenue streams, and that’s likely to include a subscription service for Internet-streaming of Major League Soccer matches, according to

ESPN is looking for more revenue streams, and that’s likely to include a subscription service for Internet-streaming of Major League Soccer matches, according to recent reports.President John SKipper said at a recent event that ESPN is still committed to its pay TV subscription model, but the popularity of cord-cutting and Internet streaming services like Netflix and MLB.com (not to mention Tennis Channel, whose subscription launch we covered yesterday), is forcing the company to explore alternate delivery mechanisms for major league games.Earlier this month, ESPN signed an eight-year deal with Major League Soccer that includes network rights to national broadcasts and the right “to offer a package of 200 games outside of viewers’ local markets.” In addition, Major League Soccer already sells a package of games that can be watched via the Internet for $65 a year or $16 a month.ESPN seems indecisive as to how to set up its Internet streaming service, mentioning options to stream live through a site (like MLB.com) or through an app (like Tennis Channel).“You saw us buy MLS digital rights. It was a clue, but we still don’t know what we will do with that. That’s a direct-to-consumer package we bought. We could do it just like it’s done now through multichannel distributors or we can do something different with it to go direct to consumer,” Skipper said.A decision is expected in a few months. Currently, ESPN only sells a few products directly to consumers, namely ESPN The Magazine and its Insider online service, which provides in-depth analysis and statistics.

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