ESPN Unlimited content is now available through YouTube TV; Angels Broadcast Television and KLAA to be included in the KSE transaction; and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is reportedly aware of comments from Bill Simmons and “reviewing the matter.” Plus news on Daniel Jeremiah, Telemundo, Netflix and the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four.
ESPN Unlimited content now available through YouTube TV
Content from ESPN Unlimited is now available to view within YouTube TV, whether via the primary plan or the sport-specific ‘skinny bundle,’ completing an integration that had been set in motion under a new carriage agreement signed last November. The interface provides users with similar features as those found in the ESPN App, such as multiview, catching up with key plays and monitoring fantasy teams. YouTube TV also updated its station picker for fans to select between home and away broadcasts, various languages and alternate camera feeds.
YouTube TV had already started offering access to ESPN Unlimited in the ESPN app earlier this year. Users of the vMVPD were also able to start using their account credentials earlier in the summer to view ESPN Unlimited content within the ESPN App, according to a report by Luke Bouma of Cord Cutters News. ESPN Unlimited also provides users access to sports content from The CW, which includes select NASCAR races, WWE NXT and additional college football and basketball games.
ESPN Unlimited recently raised its subscription prices for the first time, adjusting the cost to $32/month and $320/year (up from $30/month and $300/year). Sara Fischer of Axios previously reported that four in five ESPN Unlimited subscribers access the service as part of Disney’s trio bundle that includes access to Disney+ and Hulu, which continues to be priced at $36/month with advertisements. YouTube TV’s lowest-priced plan that includes ESPN Unlimited access is its sports plan at $65/month, which, along with other multi-genre bundles and its base plan, give users a discounted rate for the first three months and a 21-day free trial.
YouTube TV also includes Peacock-exclusive sporting events via NBC Sports Network, though that does not include the streamer’s exclusive NFL game. Users can also subscribe to Peacock outright.
Kroenke to acquire ABTV, KLAA-AM 83
The proposed sale of the Los Angeles Angels to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment includes Angels Broadcast Television and Angels Radio AM830-KLAA, the team’s official television and radio broadcasters, putting them under the same umbrella as the Kroenke-owned Altitude Sports RSN and radio station in Denver. As both ABTV and Altitude carry NHL games, KSE joins ownership groups such as Rogers Communications and Fenway Sports Group in owning two or more RSNs in the same “Big Four” league.
KSE chairman/CEO Stan Kroenke, who also owns the NFL’s Rams, NBA’s Nuggets and NHL’s Avalanche through the holding company, is expected to acquire the “controlling interest” in the Angels in the first quarter of 2027 at a reported valuation of $4 billion.
The Angels purchased the regional sports network formerly known as FanDuel Sports Network West from Main Street Sports Group earlier this year and later rebranded the channel to Angels Broadcast Television. Main Street announced in the spring that it was preparing to wind down operations following the previous NBA and NHL seasons. Angels Broadcast Television is also set to air Los Angeles Kings hockey games for the upcoming season.
The Angels have owned the AM radio station since February 2006, purchasing the outlet from Radiovisa and initially airing the Spanish-language broadcasts of games. The franchise moved its English-language broadcasts to the outlet two seasons later after they had previously aired on ESPN LA 710. Radio broadcasts generally feature play-by-play announcer Terry Smith and analyst Mark Langston.
MGC reportedly aware of Simmons’ comments, “reviewing the matter”
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is reviewing comments made by The Ringer host Bill Simmons on the latest edition of his eponymous podcast in which he apparently admitted to ‘proxy betting,’ according to a report by Ben Axelrod of Front Office Sports. Simmons explained that he had his daughter’s boyfriend place bets for him in Massachusetts, where the practice is legal. Simmons broadcasts his show from California, which has not yet legalized sports betting.
Axelrod reported that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is aware of Simmons’ comments and “reviewing the matter,” citing spokesman Thomas Mills. Gaming regulations in the state of Massachusetts consider people who bet on the behalf of another person to be considered a prohibited person.
Gaming regulations in the state of Massachusetts prohibit people from betting on behalf of another person. So too do the terms and conditions of FanDuel, which clearly outline that proxy betting is against its policy and that violators may be permanently suspended and have their winnings forfeited. In addition, the provision states that sharing accounts with friends or family and/or having others log in to place “a wager on your behalf” are prohibited.
Axelrod obtained a statement from FanDuel that reads: “We became aware of the issue and handled it consistent with our Terms and Conditions and Massachusetts Gaming Commission regulations, including reporting the matter to the MGC, voiding the bets, and actioning the account.” Simmons downplayed the situation on Tuesday’s edition of his podcast, saying he was unaware of the rule and had learned his lesson.
Plus: Daniel Jeremiah, Trey Wingo, Telemundo, NCAA Women’s Frozen Four
- NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah is launching a new podcast feed for his show, “Move the Sticks,” with ESPN and Omaha Productions, according to a report by Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports. Jeremiah previously hosted the show under the same name with NFL Media. The new iteration of the program begins on Thursday, Sept. 3 and will air three times weekly, per Glasspiegel. Jeremiah’s podcast would be the latest edition to a growing Omaha podcast portfolio, which also includes shows hosted by ESPN personalities such as Jeff Passan, Mina Kimes, Peter Schrager and Brian Windhorst.
- Trey Wingo is launching a new program titled “The OG Football Show” featuring former ESPN colleagues Mark Schlereth, Merril Hoge and Damien Woody making its debut next Monday. Wingo, who formerly hosted “NFL Live” on ESPN, is creating the show under The Wingo Network, a podcasting network that features several other programs such as “Straight Facts Homie” and “The Trey Wingo Show.”
- Telemundo has acquired the U.S. Spanish-language media rights for Serie A, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana for three seasons beginning this year, it was announced Tuesday. The coverage, which will air across Telemundo Network, Universo, Peacock and Telemundo Deportes Ahora, will have accompanying studio programs, digital content and more. Serie A U.S. Spanish-language rights were previously split between Fox Deportes and DAZN. CBS Sports continues to hold the U.S. English-language rights for all three competitions, recently reaching a one-year extension of its ongoing agreement that ends after the upcoming season.
- The NCAA women’s hockey national championship is shifting to a new Tuesday night date, with the national semifinals the preceding Sunday, to ensure that all three games are carried on ESPN linear networks, it was announced Tuesday. NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Committee chair Brittany Kane thanked ESPN in a statement and said that the change is “a valuable opportunity to further elevate and grow the sport of women’s ice hockey.
