Feb. 8, 2024
In a major move for streaming television, three of the biggest media companies worldwide will be partnering for a co-venture that makes a multitude of major-league sports available for viewing. By: Dylan Low
Disney’s
ESPN (which currently showcases UFC events and content in the US until the end
of 2025), Fox Corporation’s Fox Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT, TBS
and other networks will be presenting an extensive package in the coming
months, offering access to NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL games.
Each
company will have ownership to one-third of the service, which has remained
unnamed and no pricing information or a specific launch date, and is subject to
finalising agreements. This however recognises the lost popularity of the cable
bundle ads with higher audiences transitioning to streaming platforms.
Sports
has remained a stronghold in the cable TV industry, which has gone down by 25
percent of its total subscriber base over the last few years.
“The
launch of this new streaming sports service is a significant moment for Disney
and ESPN, a major win for sports fans, and an important step forward for the
media business,” claims Disney CEO Bob Iger, in a statement. Disney has been
thinking of plans to set up an independent ESPN streaming service (with current
ESPN+ having no rights to major sports), and the new agreement does not look to
prevent Disney from creating one in the future.
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