[Updated: Information from official press release added]
Microsoft has signed an exclusive deal with sports broadcaster ESPN to bring free content to Xbox 360 users.
Over 3,500 live events will be viewable on Microsoft’s console in the first year of the deal, many in HD, ESPN said on stage at Microsoft’s E3 press conference.
On demand events, replays and sporting statistics will also be available.
Real time audience polls and quizzes were mentioned as ways that ESPN on Xbox 360 will deepen the viewing experience.
“ESPN is being redefined on Xbox 360,” the broadcaster said.
Microsoft said in a press release: “The stadium experience at home. This November, Xbox LIVE Gold members will enjoy free, instant access to more than 3,500 ESPN live global events every year on ESPN3.com, including college basketball, college football and bowl games, MLB, NBA, international soccer, tennis including all four Grand Slam tournaments, golf majors and much more — exclusively on Xbox 360.3 Members can also watch out-of-market games and access ESPN.com video clips on demand, refreshed daily.
“With thousands of sporting events on ESPN3.com and the interactive social network of Xbox LIVE, ESPN on Xbox 360 brings the excitement of a stadium experience into the living room. Fans will be able to share the emotion, victory and heartbreak of world-class sports with friends and rivals from coast to coast on Xbox LIVE. They’ll also be able to see what games the Xbox LIVE community is watching, participate in polls, make predictions, play sports trivia and much more. With Kinect, fans control the action from their couches with just their voices or a wave of the hand. A first for home entertainment, ESPN on Xbox 360 brings the action to life like never before in an ultimate interactive experience for sports fans.”