❮
❯
TRENDING
March 20, 2024
Pete Distad named CEO of Disney-FOX-WBD Sports Streamer
The former Apple and Hulu executive Pete Distad will be the CEO of the yet-to-be named sports streaming service, a joint venture of Disney, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery. By Ching Wai.
US - The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN, owned by The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Communications), FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery have joined together to create a sports streaming service. The three companies have named former Apple and Hulu executive Pete Distad as the CEO for this streaming service. The unnamed service was revealed last month and is expected to launch in the fall of 2024.
All aspects of the joint venture, such as overall strategy, distribution, marketing, sales and more, will be overseen by Distad. Credentials of the newly appointed CEO include having worked at Apple from 2013 to 2023, where he was responsible for the business, operations and global distribution for video, sports and Apple TV+. He also oversaw the MLS Season Pass. He was at Hulu from 2007 to 2013, and had been the senior vice president of marketing and distribution. Distad had been a part of the original Hulu launch team and was responsible for customer acquisition and retention as well.
Distad believed this streaming service to be “an incredible opportunity to build and grow a differentiated product that will serve passionate sports fans in the US outside of the traditional pay TV bundle.” Having had long years of experience as a leader in marketing and distribution, the streaming service is expected to be in good hands. ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery described Distad to be “an accomplished innovator and leader who has extensive experience with launching and growing new video services.” The companies further expressed confidence in their newly appointed CEO, positive that “[he] and his team will build an extremely compelling, fan-focused product for our target market.” The service will combine 14 linear network feeds from the joint venture’s member companies, such as NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball. It is projected to have five million subscribers in its first five years. Despite these pros, its possible price of more than $50 a month might hinder the expected positive reception of the service.
To never miss a story — sign up for Viral Weekly free newsletter to stay up-to-date with compelling TV and Film news and views.
