ESPN Launches U.K. App, Reveals Rising Use Of Smartphones, Tablets

ESPN launched the localized U.K. edition of its flagship app as it revealed strong growth across its mobile properties. U.K. traffic to ESPN’s mobile properties -- including multi-sports hub ESPN UK, cricket site ESPNcricinfo and global football brand ESPN FC -- has grown by 53% between June '14 and June '16. The new app will provide a native mobile experience for U.K. users. Smartphones and tablets now account for 65% of total minutes online -- up another 7% in just one year. Apps account for 81% of all time spent browsing the Internet on mobile devices in the U.K. The ESPN app will give fans access to ESPN’s leading content, latest news, scores, video, features and stats. The introduction of the U.K. edition of the ESPN app follows its launch in the U.S., where it is the most downloaded sports app ever. The U.K. edition leverages the same technology and content systems. More local editions of the app will roll out in markets around the world by the end of the year (ESPN).