Local TV sports departments should take note of a recent announcement by ESPN to begin entering local markets, starting in Chicago.
According to an article from the Chicago Tribune, ESPNChicago.com is expected to launch in April bringing “24/7 Chicago sports news operation”. Right now, the URL redirects to the local ESPN Radio affiliate, WMVP-AM.
WMVP-AM and WLS-TV (the Disney-owned ABC affiliate) will provide content to ESPNChicago.com.
“Prospective advertisers previewed the site last week, and MillerCoors said it will be the site’s charter advertiser. If the venture is successful, ESPN could roll out more city-specific sites across the country.
“‘We already have a user base with millions of people coming to [ESPN.com] looking for Chicago sports,” [Marc] Horine [a vice president with ESPN digital media] said. “At its core, the mission is simple: to super-serve Chicago sports fans.’”
Of course the site will feature sports news and information specifically tailored to the Chicago market. Additionally, the site will provide social networking tools to allow recreational sports fans to connect and even form softball teams.
ESPN’s venture, and it’s efforts to not only present information, but also foster the organization of communities, is another indication of the growing media revolution.
Barring an significant changes in the operation of the local media outlets, there’s little doubt that ESPNChicago.com WILL become THE destination for sports fans in the Windy City. The question is, what are the other local television stations and newspapers going to do to compete?
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