In this edition of CE Pro’s Weekly Rewind, ESPN launches yet another sports streaming service, Audio Advice Live returns to Raleigh, a new house bill takes aim at solar and more.
ESPN Announces New “All-Access” Streaming App for Sports
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CNBC reports that Disney has launched a new sports streaming service under the ESPN banner. According to Disney, the new service will initially cost $29.99 per month and come bundled with Disney+ and Hulu for the first year. Afterwards, the bundle will go up to $35.99 per month for the ad-supported tier. The app will include content from all of ESPN’s live games including content from EPSN2, the SEC Network, ESPN on ABC, the brands various fantasy and sports betting tie-ins, as well as additional programming and documentaries. The new service adds to the already nightmarish sports streaming landscape and will be marketed separate from EPSN+, which will be offered as a “less expensive” service for viewers.
Audio Advice Live Returns to Raleigh in August
Audio Advice
Audio Advice has announced that its live event will be returning to Raleigh, North Carolina from August 1 – 3 this year. The event will take place at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Raleigh and feature over 60 experience rooms and more than 12 immersive Dolby Atmos theater systems. The event will also feature products from across the home audio spectrum including Sony JVC, Epson, Samsung, McIntosh, Sonus Faber, Bowers & Wilkins, Marantz, JBL Synthesis, SVS, KEF, Klipsch and Kaleidescape. In addition, the event will feature Deep Dive sessions throughout the weekend as well as live music performances from local bands.
Apple Ending Support for Legacy Home App System
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As Apple plans to launch several new smart home products, as well as a new homeOS software this year, the company has confirmed it will be sunsetting its legacy Home app architecture. As reported by 9to5Mac, the legacy Home system will no longer be supported as of iOS 19, which will require users to update to the new architecture. No further information has been given with regards to the company’s greater plans in the consumer smart home space, however, reports over the past year have found products like an arm mounted smart home control potentially in development, as well as a patent that suggests the company may look to the custom install channel to help deliver its smart home solutions moving forward. Currently, the company has a modest, if indirect, footprint among professionals through integrations via control platforms like Savant (which runs off iOS already) and Control4.
New House Bill Targets Residential Solar Tax Credit
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A new bill being put forward by Congress aims to terminate the solar tax credit initially introduced in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to sometime this year. As Electrek reports, this will be on an accelerated timeline compared to its termination in 2034. The way this could potentially affect integrators is twofold. On the one hand, it is likely to reduce the number of solar installations being pursued on homes, leading to a decrease in jobs featuring energy storage systems as an opportunity. On the other hand, it could also lead to greater grid instability as fewer homes use solar to offset grid power, leading to higher energy bills and a greater need for energy management systems in the market.
Related News: Celebrating the 40 Women to Watch—Nominations Open for 2025
CE Pro’s Home of the Year Awards Open
Submissions for the 2025 CE Pro Home of the Year Awards have opened. As one of the most prestigious awards programs in the custom installation market, the Home of the Year Awards represent the best of the best in custom integration. Winners will be selected by a seasoned panel of judges in Gold, Silver and Bronze categories and will be announced at CEDIA Expo 2025 in addition to being featured in both CE Pro magazine and cepro.com. Any home installation project that was completed between September 2024, and July 31 2025, is eligible for entry, so submit your work to the CE Pro Home of the Year Awards today.
Keep Reading:
Check out last year’s winners for the CE Pro Home of the Year Awards
See how industrial onshoring efforts could drive homeowner interest towards energy storage systems
Or read up on why we think sports streaming curation could be a slam dunk for integrators
