Disney-Fox-WB Sports Streaming Service

[filmbuffTX]

Warner, Fox, Disney to Launch Streaming Sports Joint Venture

Service to be available to ESPN+, Hulu and Max subscribers

Fox Corp., Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney are set to launch a new streaming joint venture that will make all of their sports programming available under a single broadband roof, a move that will put content from ESPN, TNT and Fox Sports on a new standalone app and, in the process, likely shake up the world of TV sports.

The three media giants are slated to launch the new service in the fall. Subscribers would get access to linear sports networks including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV and ESPN+, as well as hundreds of hours from the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL and many top college divisions. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

Each company would own one third of the new outlet and license their sports content to it on a non-exclusive basis. The service would have a new brand and an independent management team. The concept surfaces as traditional media companies are grappling with the migration of sports — the last TV format that generates steady crowds and sustained ratings — to streaming venues.

The concentration of top sports under one roof would be significant. Between them, ESPN and Warner have most rights to the NHL and the NBA, while Fox, Warner and ESPN control at present the majority of rights to Major League Baseball. Only the NFL would enjoy a large presence with entities that are not a part of the joint venture, with “Sunday Night Football” at NBCUniversal, “Thursday Night Football” at Amazon and a Sunday afternoon game at CBS.

The announcement of the new business comes as Disney has been examining strategic alternatives for ESPN, which is pushing into new digital venues while its longstanding cable-based subscriber base has been eroding. Disney has been in talks with various sports leagues, including the NFL, about getting more involved in ESPN operations

https://www.wsj.com/business/media/f...nture-c9836792

https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/war...re-1235900161/

[erlinmeyer]

Already get "ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV" and others with YouTube TV. Why would I want to pay more?

[Ryan1973]

Originally Posted by erlinmeyer

Already get "ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV" and others with YouTube TV. Why would I want to pay more?

Probably for the sports fans who would pay for something like that and get rid of YouTube TV. I'm sure it would be a cheaper option. I would do it if it included NFL Network, Redzone Channel, and Golf Channel.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by erlinmeyer

Already get "ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV" and others with YouTube TV. Why would I want to pay more?

This new service would offer content from "The Ocho" as well...

[JoeJr81]

Originally Posted by erlinmeyer

Already get "ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV" and others with YouTube TV. Why would I want to pay more?

Rumored price is $40-50. Eventually it will be $5-10 less than YouTube TV. I just cancelled YTTV.

[avs commenter]

This could also allow more options for streaming packages without sports that could be significantly cheaper

[erlinmeyer]

Originally Posted by JoeJr81

Rumored price is $40-50. Eventually it will be $5-10 less than YouTube TV. I just cancelled YTTV.

If you only want to watch some sports channels, then it will be cheaper.
Have a wider range in my viewing including movies, and will continue to get "ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV".

[Network23]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

This new service would offer content from "The Ocho" as well...

Hey if its Almost a sport im in!

[salz4life]

If CBS (for Big Ten Football) was included.... I wouldn't need live TV anymore.

[Ryan1973]

Originally Posted by salz4life

If CBS (for Big Ten Football) was included.... I wouldn't need live TV anymore.

You still wouldn't need live TV since your local CBS station is available on Paramount Plus.