Walt Disney’s (DIS.N) ESPN will make its full line-up of sports coverage available outside of pay television for the first time on Thursday, with the launch of a new app designed as a central hub for live matches, personalised news, statistics and highlights.
The app marks Disney’s bid to win back some of the tens of millions of subscribers the flagship sports channel has lost since 2010 amid the rise of streaming television. Unlike the more limited ESPN+ service introduced in 2018, the new platform has been designed to meet the preferences of today’s sports fans, executives said.
“We know that fans don’t just want to watch,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro told reporters. “They want an experience. They want to interact.”
The app will feature more than 47,000 live events each year, including the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, college football, tennis, golf and more. It will cost $30 a month, with an introductory deal bundling in ad-supported versions of Disney+ and Hulu at no extra charge.
Users will be able to personalise their experience by selecting favourite teams and sports, generating tailored news and recap shows such as SportsCenter. Artificial intelligence will provide narration in the voices of ESPN anchors, while a new “Verts” feature will serve up vertical, scroll-friendly highlights. Fantasy player statistics will appear alongside live games, and an ESPN Bet tab will display live, settled and upcoming wagers for those linking betting accounts.
Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger has hailed the app as “a sports fan’s dream.” Analysts view it as a way for Disney to capture audiences outside traditional cable rather than a mass shift from pay television. ESPN reached 100 million households via pay TV in 2010, but by July this year that figure had dropped to around 61 million.
“It’s another step in Disney’s pivot to streaming, and a sign of its importance to the company as a whole,” said Robert Fishman, analyst at MoffettNathanson.
The app will be heavily promoted, with actor John Cena fronting adverts under the slogan “All of ESPN. All in One Place.” Pitaro stressed that pay television would “remain a big part” of the business. In the quarter ending in June, ESPN delivered $1 billion of Disney’s $4.6 billion operating income – almost 22 per cent – with the bulk coming from distribution fees and advertising.
Subscribers to pay TV will also be able to access the new app. Pitaro said the aim was to encourage all customers to use it, calling it “by far the best, the most holistic experience.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, was kille...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 16th of May, covering the l...
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringin...
Deep in the ancient forests of southern China, researchers have discovered a small, shy snake with an extraordinar...
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringing together government representatives, city leaders, urban planners, international organisations, businesses and civil society to discuss the future of sustainable urban development.
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Animation Festival in Baku, where filmmakers and audiences from around the world gathered to celebrate the growing influence of animated cinema.
The United States is considering asking Israel to transfer part of the tax revenues withheld from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to help fund Gaza’s post-war reconstruction, according to five sources familiar with the discussions.
India and the United Arab Emirates have agreed on a framework for a strategic defence partnership, according to India’s foreign ministry.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran loomed over U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, as signs emerged that the conflict is causing a shift in alliances across the Middle East.
Thousands of fans turned out in Iran's capital Tehran for a massive farewell ceremony on Wednesday night for their national football team, wishing them success before their departure for the World Cup 2026 matches co-hosted by the United States and Mexico.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was fighting for his political survival on Thursday (14 May) after Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, saying he had “lost confidence” in Starmer’s leadership.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump are holding high-level talks in Beijing on Thursday, following a ceremonial welcome, with both leaders highlighting cooperation despite ongoing tensions.
A drug addiction counsellor who supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to the actor’s fatal overdose has been sentenced to two years in federal prison in Los Angeles.
The Eurovision Song Contest opened in Vienna on Tuesday amid heightened political tensions, as Israel competed in the first semi-final despite a boycott by five European broadcasters over the war in Gaza.
Azerbaijan’s Eurovision team are confident singer Jiva will secure a place in the contest’s final after performing in the second semi-final in Vienna on Thursday evening (14 May).
The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival has officially opened on the French Riviera, once again transforming Cannes into the global centre of cinema, fashion, and entertainment.
British pop star Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics, seeking at least $15 million in damages over allegations that her image was used without permission to promote television sets.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment