Why MVNOs are hard to launch.....

MobileESPN To Relaunch As a Content App Exclusively With Verizon; Dumps Sprint; MediaFlo Channel Too

• Posted by Rafat Ali
• Wed 07 Feb 2007 10:10 PM

The day is was announced that former head honcho Manish Jha left to join Vantrix as CEO, comes the news, via AP, that MobileESPN is relaunching, not as an MVNO but as a content application, exclusively on Verizon Wireless in a multi-year deal. The deal has not been finalized, this story says, but would be announced tomorrow, the story says.

This means ESPN has dumped Sprint, its MVNO backbone/network provider, or more likely, it went the other way around.

The multiyear agreement giving VZW exclusive U.S. rights to offer the MobileESPN application on its V Cast phones....also, the companies will also announce the mobile TV channel launch on its soon-to-come MediaFlo service on Verizon.

I guess ESPN put so much money into building the custom apps for its MVNO service, so it makes sense to modify and port it onto another network...though I am surprised about the exclusive-deal part. It had a big chance of finally going D2C in a big way, but seems like it won’t, unless a variation will be offered to other network and handset users. Also, the MedaFLO service launch might have also influenced ESPN’s decision.

Details:
-- It is to be included fr*ee as part of the $15 a month or $3 a day charge for VCast’s assorted multimedia offerings
-- The Mobile ESPN application will be adapted to all phones compatible with VCast, starting with perhaps a couple of models at the outset.

Updated: Also, looks like Verizon already has the ESPN details up, here, unless this is an older promo. And some more details on MobileESPN’s old site, here.
For everything MobileESPN, read our dedicated category.

Related:
-- ESPN’s Mobile Licensing Deals Soon
-- The Mobile ESPN Patent

Manish Jha Leaves ESPN Mobile; Joins Vantrix As CEO

• Posted by Rafat Ali
• Wed 07 Feb 2007 09:56 PM

Manish Jha, the high-profile head of the MobileESPN MVNO forays from Disney, as well as later the SVP of ESPN Mobile (the publishing arm) after that, has left the company, and has joined Montreal-based mobile content applications firm Vantrix as the CEO. The company enables delivery of rich media content to mobiles, including messaging, advertising, and live video and audio streaming.

Jha was at ESPN since 1991, and has various roles in new media at the company. More in release. This is not the first high level defection from that team, besides the layoffs that must have happened: Vladimir Edelman, the VP and GM of Mobile ESPN Publishing Worldwide, joined last year as the CEO of Soapbox Mobile, a mobile marketing and content solutions firm.

P.S.: Will find out tomorrow who is heading ESPN’s mobile efforts now....see the story above about Mobile ESPN application in an exclusive deal with Verizon Wireless. Interesting timing co-ordination on both announcements.

Related:
-- Manish Jha On The New Mobile ESPN
-- It’s Official: Mobile ESPN To Cease MVNO Ops Dec. 31; Will Seek Licensing