ESPN Adopts The Stories Content Format With The Launch of ‘ESPN Stories’ For ESPN Plus
Source: ESPN
Just launched “ESPN Stories” within the ESPN App. Quick-hit, vertical video compilations featuring highlights, ESPN talent hot takes, and original stories made exclusively for the app. UPDATE NOW: https://t.co/YZY3idHrdm #DTCITechnology #ESPN #ESPNStories #ESPNapp pic.twitter.com/Ql6tJNeUEZ
— Walt Disney DTCI Technology (@DTCITechnology) July 27, 2020
The leading sports publisher recently launched ESPN Stories, new vertical-video compilations featuring highlights, hot takes, and original stories curated by hosts and commentaries such as Omar Raja, Christine Williamson, Jason Fitz, Ashley Brewer, and others. They are mobile-friendly and made up of a mix of video, audio, and graphics.
Available exclusively on ESPN Plus, ESPN Stories join other ESPN Plus exclusives like Hoop Streams, MLS Countdown Live, and Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.
“The introduction of ESPN Stories is an exciting opportunity to not only bring some of ESPN’s social content and personality into the ESPN app but also create new and exclusive executions – many of which will be driven by our great roster of digital hosts and commentators,” said Ryan Spoon, SVP of Digital and Social Content, ESPN in a press release.
The launch of ESPN Stories marks the company’s “most significant content-driven release” since the birth of ESPN Plus in 2018.
Insights & Analysis:
Since Instagram made Stories popular in 2016, platforms of all types have launched their version of the content format, including Google, Netflix, Pinterest, Twitter, and Giphy.
By launching ESPN Stories, ESPN is looking to capitalize on the popularity and the effectiveness of vertical, snackable video content. With subscriptions to ESPN and ESPN2 potentially dropping in the future, ESPN Stories could help keep the attention of sports fans and entertain them in a new way, different than their traditional sports shows and articles. This is especially true with the younger generation of sports fans, who are increasingly turning to social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook for their sports news and highlights.
ESPN has had a lot of success with its platforms, seeing a 70 percent increase in engagement across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Now with a social media-esque feature for the ESPN Plus app, it can further increase digital engagement with mobile-friendly content.
Historically, ESPN has been a quick-mover with experimenting with new platforms and formats. If ESPN Stories end up being a success, don’t be surprised if the content format is scaled across other Walt Disney-owned properties like ABC News, National Geographic, or Freeform.
Stay tuned; it’s only a matter of time before another platform rolls out a Story feature.
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SOURCE: ESPN Press Room
