Disney XD Canada closes

Disney XD Canada has officialy shut down due to financial pressure from Corus Entertainment.

Deadline: Disney Casting EVP Randi Hiller & Production EVP Sam Dickerman Exiting Studio Early Next Year

Story from Deadline:

Two Disney EVPs are departing the studio early next year, Deadline has learned.

Broadband TV News: Disney+ secures streaming rights to Nordisk Film’s local releases across the Nordics

Story from Broadband TV News:

Disney+ and Nordisk Film, part of the Egmont Group, have announced a multi-year agreement that will make Disney+ the exclusive first streaming home for local theatrical releases in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland beginning in 2026.

Broadband TV News: Disney+ and ZDF Studios sign major content deal

Story from Broadband TV News:

In a major boost to its regional content offering, Disney+ has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with ZDF Studios, the commercial arm of one of Europe’s largest public broadcasters.

Deadline: WWE To Offer Live Events On ESPN’s Streaming Service Earlier Than Expected, Starting With Inaugural ‘Wrestlepalooza’ In September

Story from Deadline:

WWE is no longer waiting until next year to bring premium live events to ESPN‘s new direct-to-consumer streaming service and will instead kick off the recently announced partnership next month.

Deadline: Disney Adds Two EVPs In Adam Smith’s Entertainment & ESPN Technology Group

Story from Deadline:

On the eve of ESPN‘s long-anticipated direct-to-consumer streaming launch, Disney has added two key lieutenants to senior entertainment and ESPN exec Adam Smith’s team.

Variety: Disney’s Asad Ayaz to Oversee Entertainment Marketing, Shannon Ryan Duties Expand to Include Streaming With Hulu-Disney+ Merger

Story from Variety:

With Disney+ and Hulu set to merge in 2026 — and Hulu’s standalone app going away — Disney is reshuffling the marketing leadership of its entertainment division.

Deadline: Disney Is Talking With Other Sports Players About Bundles As ESPN Nears Streaming Launch, Bob Iger Says

Story from Deadline:

With ESPN‘s long-anticipated streaming launch now just days away, Disney CEO Bob Iger says the company is exploring potential bundles with other sports programmers.

Deadline: Hulu To Become International Tile On Disney+, Replacing Star, As Speculation Swirls About U.S. App’s Stand-Alone Future

Story from Deadline:

Hulu will replace Star as a tile on the international Disney+ service.

Deadline: Disney Sees Q3 Profit, Upside “Where It Matters Most” At Theme Parks & Streaming Amid ESPN Flurry

Story from Deadline:

Disney’s theme parks, which had a few wobbly quarters, blew past Wall Street estimates as streaming profits advanced in the June quarter, vying with red ink at the film studio and declines at linear networks.

Deadline: ESPN Sets Launch Date And Price For Stand-Alone Streaming Service, Adding WWE And Locking Up More NFL

Story from Deadline:

ESPN will launch its long-awaited new streaming service on August 21 at a price of $29.99 a month, bulking it up with WWE events and expanded NFL rights.

Variety: ESPN Gets Headlock on WWE Live Events Like ‘WrestleMania’ in New U.S. Rights Deal, Content to Roll Off NBCU’s Peacock

Story from Variety:

ESPN and WWE are about to get each other in tighter holds.

Deadline: ESPN Acquires NFL Network And Other Media Assets As League Takes 10% Stake In Disney Sports Division

Story from Deadline:

In a long-percolating agreement, ESPN said that it has acquired the NFL Network and certain other media assets of the NFL in exchange for a 10% equity stake.

Broadband TV News: NFL could take 10% stake in ESPN

Story from Broadband TV News:

The NFL is nearing a deal to acquire a minority stake in US sports network ESPN.

Deadline; Jimmy Kimmel Fires Back At Donald Trump After POTUS Hinted ABC Late-Night Show Would Be Canceled Next: “I’m Hearing You’re Next”

Story from Deadline:

Jimmy Kimmel is exercising his First Amendment right as a U.S. citizen and firing back at Donald Trump after the President of the United States hinted his late-night talk show would be canceled next.

Deadline: Copa América Docuseries Lands At Disney+

Story from Deadline:

Last year, Lionel Messi helped Argentina retain its Copa América trophy and now Disney+ subscribers in Latin America can look back at the tournament in a new six-part docuseries.

Hollywood Reporter: ABC News to Launch Exclusive Daily Show on Disney+

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

ABC News is launching a new, exclusive daily news program that will stream on Disney+.

Deadline: FX Greenlights Comedy Pilot From ‘Reno 911’ Team; Robert Ben Garant, Cathy Shim & WWE’s Becky Lynch Among Cast

Story from Deadline:

FX has picked up the new workplace comedy pilot Movers, from creators and executive producers Robert Ben Garant and Cathy Shim. Garant co-created Comedy Central’s Reno 911!, in which Shim also starred. That mockumentary’s executive producers, Stacey Sher and Peter Principato, will EP the pilot with Jonny Shipes (BMF: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire).

Deadline: Trump Proposes UFC Fight On White House Grounds

Story from Deadline:

For the first time in the country’s 250-year history, the White House could host a cage match, serving as the UFC‘s next venue.

Deadline: Former Disney Channel & Fox Exec Kemal Coşkuner To Lead New Spacetoon Kids Network In Turkey

Story from Deadline:

Dubai-based family entertainment group Spacetoon is making moves in Turkey.