After NBC, the Sci-Fi Channel, and USA Networks offered up some choice programming to be downloaded to lucky elves all over the North Pole and kiddies around the (selected) world, it seems Apple and the sports authority, ESPN, may be stirring the coals in the Christmas fire to make things a bit hotter on iTMS.

Reuters is reporting that ESPN, while not yet directly speaking to Apple, could be next to jump onto the iPod video band wagon via the iTunes Music Store. Seemingly, the iPod’s screen isn’t small enough to watch Tiger Woods nail a birdie or watch a quarterback get nailed by Jerome Woods. ESPN may want in on this new craze Apple is encouraging and this may happen really soon, heck soon enough to possibly put the Super Bowl and any game malfunction that may occur on your 5G iPod.

If this is the case, then video on the iPod’s small screen could make this new distribution channel blow up into something huge. Let’s face it, sports fans are nuts (but not Steelers fans, we’re just crazed!) and will go to any lengths to get their fulfillment met. My only problem with this is having now to see Raiders fans all over my town in their pimp mobile watching Al Davis’ sorry over-priced team lose. Ooops, did I just write that?!

Tags: apple, ipod, tv, video, itunes, 5g, espn, music store