Happy Holidays

Media Boy UK HQ would like to wish Happy Holidays to everyone who view this blog. Don't forget Media Boy UK launches on January 4th 2025 on Blue Sky.

Thursday, 4 April 2024

Hollywood Reporter: ESPN’s Stand-Alone Streaming Service Will Be Available Through Disney+

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

ESPN‘s planned streaming product will be part of the Disney bundle when it launches in 2025.

CEO Bob Iger said during recorded remarks at Disney’s annual shareholder meeting that the stand-alone ESPN streamer will be available through Disney+ for subscribers who bundle their Disney streaming services. He compared the ESPN integration into Disney+ to that of Hulu, which formally launched a week ago.

The ESPN streaming service is headed for a 2025 debut and will include the full suite of ESPN’s channels, including all of its major rights packages (including the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL and a host of college sports). ESPN+, its current streaming service, has some live events now and library programming including the 30 for 30 documentary banner.

Iger also reiterated that the stand-alone ESPN streamer will also feature a host of engagement points, including fantasy sports, betting and ecommerce. Those features will also help the stand-alone platform differentiate itself from the ESPN-Fox Sports-Warner Bros. Discovery Sports joint streaming venture that’s slated to launch later this year. Iger didn’t offer any additional updates on the joint venture in Wednesday’s remarks.

In response to a shareholder question, Iger also said he’s “never been more bullish” on the women’s sports featured on ESPN than he is now. He cited the record-breaking audience for Monday’s Iowa-LSU match-up in the NCAA tournament as evidence that viewers will make women’s sports appointment viewing.

The Disney+-Hulu integration had a beta launch in late 2023 before going wide March 27. The company touted a slew of technical upgrades with the launch, with improved personalization and better ways to promote titles within the app. The launch also came with a big marketing push for non-bundle subscribers to upgrade.

© 2024 The Hollywood Reporter.