With more content than ever finding itself exclusive to the ESPN app, it’s important that such streaming-only events find their way into commercial establishments.
And on Wednesday, ESPN ensured places like bars and restaurants would be able to access its streaming exclusive content through a new multiyear licensing deal with EverPass, a company that specializes in distributing live sports to commercial establishments. The company announced EverPass will distribute ESPN+ content to bars, restaurants, hotels and other commercial establishments starting next month.
The deal will include over 2,200 live events that are exclusive to ESPN+ (which is now branded as ESPN Select). These events will include college football and basketball, NHL, La Liga, Bundesliga, PGA Tour Live, and more.
EverPass offers similar packages to commercial establishments for other streaming services including NFL Sunday Ticket, Peacock, Prime Video, and Paramount+. The company also recently renewed a deal with the NFL to distribute the league’s streaming exclusive games, including last week’s YouTube broadcast, Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football, and the Netflix Christmas Day doubleheader.
Given that ESPN will likely start placing more of its content exclusively on its app in the coming years, these types of deals are essential for the viability of sports bars and similar establishments that rely on access to live sports content for business.
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.