ESPNWith the launch of Disney+ on Wednesday, ESPN continues its transition to more direct-to-consumer offerings and becomes even more accessible.
The ESPN expansion with a dedicated section on Disney+ follows the launch of Hulu on Disney+ earlier this year.
Anyone who subscribes to a bundle package with Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ can access all of their content in one place. Individual Disney+ subscribers get access to ESPN+ content – primarily college football and basketball – as well as access to premium live events.
ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said this is just another step in the network’s path to launching its own direct-to-consumer product called Flagship in the fall of 2025.
“We’re hoping to attract casual sports fans, and when we launch Flagship we’re trying to attract them to it,” Pitaro said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “It will also help us get data about viewing experiences on Disney+.”
Independent Disney+ subscribers can watch some ESPN events live, including five NBA games on Christmas Day and Day 1 of the Australian Open.
The “Monday Night Football” alternative broadcast during the Cincinnati Bengals-Dallas Cowboys game on Monday night with The Simpsons and the NBA’s “Dunk the Halls” alternative broadcast during the San Antonio Spurs-New York Knicks game were already planned for Disney+.
