Greetings from Syracuse. ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery are launching a new joint venture to create a sports streaming service this fall. The streaming service will include the companies' portfolios of sports networks, certain direct-to-consumer sports services, and sports rights. Subscribers will have access to linear sports networks such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNEWS, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV, and ESPN+.
The new unnamed (and unpriced) streaming service will be available as a stand-alone app and can also be bundled with Disney+, Hulu, and/or Max. A newly-formed company will own the joint venture with its own leadership team.
According to sources, the goal is to provide a new and differentiated experience for sports fans, particularly those outside of the traditional pay TV bundle. It will offer content from many major sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, college sports, UFC, PGA TOUR Golf, Grand Slam Tennis, the FIFA World Cup, Cycling, and more.
While this new venture is significant, it is not a complete solution for sports fans, as it does not include football or other sports coverage currently licensed by CBS, NBC, Apple, or Amazon.
Disney CEO Bob Iger called the launch a significant moment for Disney and ESPN, a major win for sports fans, and an important step forward for the media business. Clearly, it's a significant moment for Disney and ESPN, and it is also an acknowledgement that bundling is good business. As for being a "major win for sports fans"? Let's see how it's priced.
As always your thoughts and comments are both welcome and encouraged. Just reply to this email. -s
ABOUT SHELLY PALMER
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.
