Sports channel ESPN has launched a free ESPN Player app on the Apple iPad, Digitaltveurope.net reported.

The move is the first time ESPN has made its player on a device other than a desktop computer.

The sports streaming service is available as a free application on the iPad, downloadable from the iTunes store.

The app includes a new user interface, integrated social media sharing on Facebook and Twitter and the ability to offer targeted marketing solutions to advertisers.

Separately, ESPN has launched a new multi-device app for its ESPNcricinfo service, with a user experience optimized for Windows 8 as well as an iPad app.