Slacker has offered some custom ESPN sports content for awhile now which they claim has been well received since they announced it in September. Now they are taking things one step further with the addition of live streaming of ESPN Radio Shows and sporting events for Plus and Premium subscribers of Slacker. This is an interesting way for Slacker to differentiate themselves from other streaming services.
The only catch is that the ESPN Audio live shows and sporting events are only currently available from the Web with mobile support coming soon. The regular ESPN Radio station remains free for all users while Slacker Radio Plus and Slacker Premium Radio subscribers have access to the “full ESPN experience, including two highly customizable myESPN Radio sports stations, live shows and select sporting events. “
More details in the press release below:
Slacker Kicks Off Live-Streaming of ESPN Radio Shows and Sporting Events with BCS Title Game
LAS VEGAS – January 9, 2012 – ESPN and Slacker, Inc. today announced live streaming of ESPN Audio shows and sporting events to Slacker listeners, part of the Slacker Radio/ESPN Audio agreement first announced in September. Live ESPN content is now available for listening on the web at www.Slacker.com, with mobile experiences coming soon.
The new live streaming feature will launch with the BCS Championship title game tonight— No. 1 LSU versus No. 2 Alabama—available to all Slacker listeners via the web player. Future live programming will be available to Slacker Radio Plus and Slacker Premium Radio subscribers. The interactive ESPN Radio station on Slacker will remain free and available to all listeners.
“Since offering customizable ESPN Audio content, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, but many listeners have requested live sports,” said Jonathan Sasse, senior vice president of marketing at Slacker. “This new feature is yet another example of how Slacker is combining the best elements of traditional radio with our listeners’ demand for personalization of music, news, sports and more.”
The complete Slacker Radio experience includes over 150 expert-programmed and interactive music stations, along with customizable stations featuring ESPN Radio, ABC News, comedy, custom artist-hosted showcase stations and leading music festival stations. In addition, Slacker listeners can create their own personalized radio stations featuring their favorite music, news and sports. Slacker Premium Radio also includes on-demand access to the entire Slacker music library featuring millions of songs. The addition of ESPN Audio live shows and sporting events to the increasing line-up of stations and services reinforces that Slacker Radio has the most varied and compelling range of customizable content offered by any radio service, while maintaining the most personal listening experience.
Pricing and Availability
ESPN Audio live shows and sporting events are available starting today on the web, with mobile integration coming soon. The ESPN Radio station is free for all listeners, while Slacker Radio Plus and Slacker Premium Radio subscribers have access to the full ESPN experience, including two highly customizable myESPN Radio sports stations, live shows and select sporting events. Slacker Radio Plus is available for $3.99 per month and Slacker Premium Radio for $9.99 per month atwww.Slacker.com or billed directly to your Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA or AT&T account from within the Slacker application on Android and BlackBerry smartphones.
