ESPN is bringing the convenience of picture-in-picture viewing to mobile by merging WatchESPN into its existing application, enabling users to navigate around without missing any part of a game.  

Subscribers of the network?s video subscription service, WatchESPN, are now able to stream live video content directly through its original mobile app with its latest update. ESPN is innovating the mobile video space by introducing a picture-in-picture feature as well, making game-time viewing much more convenient to users. 

?Mobile is incredibly important to ESPN, specifically in terms of digital growth,? said  David Coletti, vice president of digital media research and analytics, ESPN. ?It set a category record for both mobile unique users, 76.0 million, and minutes of mobile usage, 6.7 billion, in September. 

?Specific to digital video, fans watched 492.0 million ESPN digital video clips in September, ESPN?s highest monthly total ever, and up 17 percent from a year ago,? he said. ?36 percent of all ESPN digital video clips were viewed on phones and tablets.?

ESPN is alleviating a major issue for mobile viewers, which not only means that customers will watch more of its content but it also promotes good brand sentiment. Fans will think fondly of the network because it is one of few apps serving this type of experience.

As many mobile users have experienced, it can be frustrating to watch an entire game on these devices because it is cumbersome to navigate away if other apps are needed. Users want to be able to have the most optimized experience and they use their mobile devices for a variety of reasons. 

For users watching long-form content on mobile, it limits their abilities. For those watching a game but also want to check out Twitter or another app, they will have to close out the app and miss part of it. 

The introduction of WatchESPN means less space for app users as well. Users can now access the ESPN app for both experiences, which originally were two separate entities. 

The launches follows record-breaking viewership for WatchESPN across platforms. September and October became its most watched months not happening during the World Cup, with 11 million total unique viewers and 2.2 billion minutes of viewing. 

The network also re-launch of its Web site in April with responsive design to mark its 20th anniversary, reflecting the sports network?s embrace of a mobile-first approach that aims to deliver a consistent, personal experience for highly engaged fans (see more). 

ESPN also launched a redesigned Web site for extreme sporting event the X Games, providing mobile responsiveness to better connect with a millennial demographic (see more). 

The network highly values its mobile and digital properties and is consistently updating them to meet industry standards. 

?The WatchESPN app was also the number three sports app on smartphones and tablets in September in terms of unique users, 9.6 million, with the ESPN app ranking number one with 20.6 million unique fans, a new record for sports app reach, and ESPN Fantasy Football at number five, 7.1 million,? Mr. Coletti said.