ESPN's New Apple TV App Lets You Watch Up to Four Live Sporting Events Simultaneously

[MacRumors]

ESPN is releasing a new tvOS app for the fourth-generation Apple TV that allows viewers to watch up to four live sporting events simultaneously.

The multicast feature means a sports fan could, for example, watch two NFL games, an MLB postseason game, and an NBA game on a Sunday in October all at once, with each stream taking up an equally-sized quadrant of the TV.

There are multiple viewing modes to select from, including one with a large stream on the left alongside three smaller streams on the right.

The idea isn't new--there's a similar two-stream feature in the MLB.TV app for Apple TV--but ESPN says its implementation offers up to four streams and has a streamlined user interface, according to Recode.

The new ESPN app should be rolling out as a free update on the tvOS App Store today in the United States.

Article Link: ESPN's New Apple TV App Lets You Watch Up to Four Live Sporting Events Simultaneously

 

[joshwenke]

I feel like it would be cool to add this to tvOS just like the iPad has, but Apple's tvOS is definitely years behind iOS and I don't think this would be easy to do.

 

[MobileMikeV]

With a 4K AppleTV and a 2160p display this could allow a viewer to watch the four games in 1080p, each at native resolution in its respective quadrant.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

The multicast feature means a sports fan could, for example, watch two NFL games, an MLB postseason game, and an NBA game on a Sunday in October all at once, with each stream taking up an equally-sized quadrant of the TV.

Nice try, but these things never air at the same time on ESPN/ABC. The best application will be college football.

[doublepost=1502891400][/doublepost]

With a 4K AppleTV and a 2160p display this could allow a viewer to watch the four games in 1080p, each at native resolution in its respective quadrant.

RIP my data cap.

 

[Mudbug]

Can I assume this still requires a subscription through a cable or satellite provider, or can I just "subscribe" to ESPN via my appleTV?

 

[Boatboy24]

"The multicast feature means a sports fan could, for example, watch two NFL games, an MLB postseason game, and an NBA game on a Sunday in October all at once, with each stream taking up an equally-sized quadrant of the TV."

Nice try, but these things never air at the same time on ESPN/ABC.
[doublepost=1502891400][/doublepost]

RIP my data cap.

Was thinking the same thing. 1) ESPN doesn't have 2 NFL games on Sunday. 2) In October, MLB games will likely be on major networks. 3) Who cares about the NBA - especially in October?

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Was thinking the same thing. 1) ESPN doesn't have 2 NFL games on Sunday. 2) In October, MLB games will likely be on major networks. 3) Who cares about the NBA - especially in October?

Tech blogs gonna tech blog.

 

[SupaDav03]

Awesome. Loved this feature on Fox Sports Go. And it's just in time for college football season!
[doublepost=1502891834][/doublepost]

Can I assume this still requires a subscription through a cable or satellite provider, or can I just "subscribe" to ESPN via my appleTV?

Not yet, but that option is coming. It was spoken about a week or 2 ago, during the same time when Disney announced pulling their content from Netflix and starting their own streaming service.

 

[JLL]

I feel like it would be cool to add this to tvOS just like the iPad has, but Apple's tvOS is definitely years behind iOS and I don't think this would be easy to do.

What do you mean? This IS for tvOS.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Awesome. Loved this feature on Fox Sports Go. And it's just in time for college football season!
[doublepost=1502891834][/doublepost]

Not yet, but that option is coming. It was spoken about a week or 2 ago, during the same time when Disney announced pulling their content from Netflix and starting their own streaming service.

It will be an entirely separate service for content not shown on the ESPN family of networks.

 

[SupaDav03]

It will be an entirely separate service for content not shown on the ESPN family of networks.

Oh, didn't realize that. Sounds much less appealing than originally thought.

 

[djeeyore25]

Watch up to four commercials simultaneously!

 

[macduke]

With a 4K AppleTV and a 2160p display this could allow a viewer to watch the four games in 1080p, each at native resolution in its respective quadrant.

Came here to say this, but if your TV is less than 72" and you sit 10-12ft away on the couch you won't really notice much of a difference. Might be able to make out the score a little better.

 

[thacube]

The multicast feature means a sports fan could, for example, watch two NFL games, an MLB postseason game, and an NBA game on a Sunday in October all at once, with each stream taking up an equally-sized quadrant of the TV.

how can you watch two nfl games at once? ESPN only broadcasts monday night football

 

[nburwell]

I could only see myself utilizing this feature during college football season.

 

[The Game 161]

Shame this is US only.

 

[i hate phones]

What do you mean? This IS for tvOS.

I think they mean build it into tvOS itself, not the ESPN app... so you can split screen videos from any app, not just what's on ESPN

 

[thisisnotmyname]

I'm really over ESPN. I just want live content directly from the leagues with OTT solutions.

 

[craigmak]

Can you only watch live content in the quad box or will their archive be available? So can I watch a 30 for 30 have a replay of a college football game on, watch an NBA game live, and have ESPN News or some sort of stats in the other box?

 

[LandRovers]

If only CBS offered this for AFC NFL fans… Does Fox Sports have this?

 

[ineedamac]

Now I have a reason to get the 4th gen Apple TV.

 

[aardwolf]

Check out WatchESPN. There may only be one show on "ESPN" in a certain region of the country at a time, but there are most definitely more than one happening at the same time.

For instance, with WatchESPN, you can currently watch BAL v MIA or BUF v PHI at 7pm this Thursday. The regular season won't be any different.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Nice!

Now I can have multiple ESPN streams buffer and stall on me during peak game times!

 

[keithdoc]

Nice!

Now I can have multiple ESPN streams buffer and stall on me during peak game times!

I am worried about multiple streams as well, but the possibility of being able to watch TWO SEC games at the same time (and updates on a 3rd/4th) this Fall . . . . .

AWESOME!

 

[bozzykid]

I'm really over ESPN. I just want live content directly from the leagues with OTT solutions.

Which is why ESPN is going to start offering those things in the ESPN app in the next year or so. It was announced as a part of the new streaming options available directly from ESPN that are coming.