Disney has announced that it will be integrating Apple's SharePlay co-viewing experience into its ESPN app. The new feature will allow ESPN app users to co-watch live sports events and ESPN original content in sync via a Facetime call. This includes users who are logging in to the app via TV Everywhere or ESPN+ subscribers streaming through their mobile devices or computers.
ESPN SharePlay sessions will allow up to 32 people to co-view content at a single time, allowing users to recreate the feeling of watching a game at a packed sports bar.
"We are thrilled to provide a unique opportunity for friends and family to come together to root for some of their favorite teams and players, no matter the distance between them," said Brian Marshall, vice president of Sports Products & Strategy, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution.
Co-Viewing Sports Apps
ESPN Integrates Apple's SharePlay Tech, Allowing Users to Co-Watch Sports
Trend Themes
1. Co-viewing Apps - As apps continue to integrate sharing features, co-viewing will become more common, setting the precedent for any app that seeks to create community around media consumption.
2. Facetime Integration - Consistent integration of Facetime in apps could enhance group interaction and open opportunities for new functionalities, including split-screen operation within mobile devices.
3. Social Viewing - As remote options for media consumption become more normalized, apps that prioritize social interaction and recreation, particularly in viewing live events, could become more desirable.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Media - Integration of shared experience into sports apps creates opportunities for companies to leverage consumer desire for social events, creating loyalty and monetization opportunities.
2. Social Media - Social media apps could enhance integration with Facetime, creating chances for split-screen interactions and building community around shared content experiences.
3. Digital Entertainment - As sharing media and social events converge, digital entertainment apps may want to prioritize features that enable shared experiences, crowd-sourced content, and user engagement in real-time, possibly through a paid monetization model.