ESPN, Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery are planning a sports streaming platform in the fall
ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans on Tuesday to launch a sports streaming platform in the fall that will include offerings from at least 15 networks and all four major professional sports leagues.
A one-stop app to view most sports should be a welcome sight for fans, who continue to navigate rising costs by subscribing to multiple services.
Kevin Krim, the president and CEO of the ad measurement firm EDO, compared the three companies teaming up for sports like what some networks did when Hulu started in 2008.
"My sense is knowing the cast of characters, they're looking at the original Hulu concept and thinking, `Well, that worked out really well for us.' So let's do that again. But for live sports streaming," he said.
The three companies will each share one-third ownership in the joint venture. A name for the service and pricing will be announced at a later date.
"This new sports service exemplifies our ability as an industry to drive innovation and provide consumers with more choice, enjoyment and value and we're thrilled to deliver it to sports fans," Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said in a statement.
The platform will include games from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA, NASCAR and college sports, including the men's and women's NCAA Tournament, as well as golf, tennis and the FIFA World Cup.
It will include offerings from 15 linear networks -- ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNEWS, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, truTV -- and ESPN+.
Subscribers would also have the ability to bundle the product with Disney+, Hulu and/or Max.
"We believe the service will provide passionate fans outside of the traditional bundle an array of amazing sports content all in one place," Fox CEO and Executive Chair Lachlan Murdoch said in a statement.
The announcement of the bundle also comes as ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery are preparing to enter negotiations to renew their NBA rights, which expire at the end of next season.
"To me, the thing that's triggering all this is the NBA. We see time and again that the NBA is the second-best franchise on TV behind the NFL," Krim said. "You're sort of staring at that renegotiation and new bids coming in that could include Google, Amazon, Netflix, Apple and others. It's a good way to team up and stay competitive."
ESPN has also been searching for strategic partners as it prepares to launch a direct-to-consumer product in the next year or two.
"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," Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. "This means the full suite of ESPN channels will be available to consumers alongside the sports programming of other industry leaders as part of a differentiated sports-centric service."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario pitches energy partnership with U.S. amid Trump's tariff, Canada annexation threat
In the face of incoming U.S. president Donald Trump’s threat to acquire Canada and impose tariffs, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he wants to expand its energy supply both sides of the border.
Mexico's President Sheinbaum offers sarcastic response to Trump's 'Gulf of America' comment
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum responded sarcastically on Wednesday to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's proposal to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
LIVE UPDATES Tracking the L.A. wildfires: 2 dead as major fires at 0% containment, locals describe 'terrifying' escape
A series of wildfires are searing through the Los Angeles area, forcing many to evacuate their homes. Follow along here for the latest updates. Numerous buildings were destroyed and nearly 3,000 acres burned in the Pacific Palisades. Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate further through today.
Canada among 'top 5 losers' in new passport ranking
A new global ranking may raise doubts about Canada's reputation of being open to other countries.
WATCH 'Like driving through hell itself': Apocalyptic scene on L.A. highway
Terrifying video shows a California resident’s drive along the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles, as the Palisades wildfire engulfs buildings and homes.
Minister LeBlanc not running for Liberal leadership, as caucus meets for first time since Trudeau resignation
Longtime cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc will not be running to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as head of the Liberals. He announced his decision in a statement posted to social media on Wednesday.
Is Donald Trump kidding? Americans in Canada react to tariff, annexation threats
While Donald Trump's comments on tariffs and Canada becoming 'the 51st state' have drawn anger and fear among Canadians, reaction from Americans who live, study or work in Canada has been mixed, and is largely influenced by how they voted in the presidential election.
Ricki's and cleo retail brands closing, Bootlegger restructuring
Several Canadian fashion retailers will be closing their doors after ownership company Comark Holdings announced it has filed for creditor protection.
Hollywood stars forced to flee amid devastating Los Angeles wildfires
Large parts of Los Angeles County are under evacuation orders Wednesday as massive wildfires spread through the megacity's hilltop suburbs. Here is what some of the stars are seeing from their backyards.
Local Spotlight
4 generations on 1 lot: One family's creative response to B.C.'s housing crisis
A single lot in Delta, B.C., that used to be home to a single rancher built in the 80s is the site of four separate homes, housing four generations of the same family.
'Unacceptable': Removal of beaver dam in Manitoba community sends surge downstream
The removal of a beaver dam in a rural Manitoba community is having some unintended consequences, sending a small flood downstream, catching residents off-guard.
Project Linus: Moncton group marks 15 years of handing out blankets to thousands of children
For 15 years, those who volunteer for the Greater Moncton chapter of Project Linus have been making blankets for children who need comfort at challenging time in their lives.
Social media-famous corgi from Kitchener, Ont. rescues owner
A captivating canine is being hailed as a hero after one of his owners took a terrifying fall.
These 90-year-old identical twins were born on a Saskatchewan farm, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.
'Crawl bearers' carry mosaic bar top 2 km to new home
In a move signalling the beginning of a new era, staff and patrons carried Phog Lounge’s approximately 400-pound mosaic bar top through the downtown.
Elvis Gratton actor Julien Poulin has died at 78
Actor Julien Poulin passed away at the age of 78 on Saturday.. Born in Montreal on April 20, 1946, Poulin appeared in some 100 films. His most memorable role was certainly that of Bob Gratton in the cult classic trilogy 'Elvis Gratton', directed by his friend Pierre Falardeau.
Maritime hockey teams go head-to-head in 'blood feud' for good cause
Three teams in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) are battling for a cause greater than hockey this January in the Battle of the Bridge – an annual blood donation challenge.
Sellers' market: Average Edmonton home prices jumped in 2024 in each residential category
Fewer homes for sale in Edmonton resulted in higher year-over-year prices for them as 2024 ended, according to the Realtors Association of Edmonton.