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In a big move for streaming TV, three major media companies are teaming up for a joint venture that will provide access to every major league sport and several others.
Disney’s ESPN, Fox Inc.’s Fox Sports, Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT, TBS and other networks will offer comprehensive packages this fall that include NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL games. Although you won’t be able to watch every game, it’s an attractive bundle for cable cutters who are sports fans.
The two companies will own one-third of the service, but the service name, pricing information, and specific launch date have not yet been determined, pending a final agreement. But this is yet another acknowledgment that cable bundles are splintering as more consumers gravitate toward streaming. NFL games consistently remain at the top in Nielsen viewership ratings, and professional sports are key to maintaining a cable TV ecosystem that has lost more than 25% of its subscriber base in recent years. I have led live shows.
The companies said in a statement that the new service will have its own dedicated management team separate from the owner.
Michael Nathanson, an analyst at Moffett Nathanson, called the deal streaming distribution “the bundle we’ve been waiting for,” and said in a report Tuesday that it would “give away our reliance on the current distribution system.” “This is a demonstration of the ultimate play that allows you to take control of your sport’s destiny.” . ”
“The launch of this new streaming sports service is a significant moment for Disney and ESPN, a huge win for sports fans, and a huge win for our media business,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. “This is an important step forward.” plans to create a standalone ESPN streaming service (currently ESPN+ doesn’t have rights to major sports), and it doesn’t seem like the new deal will prevent that service in the future.
“We are excited to bring the Fox Sports portfolio to this new and exciting platform,” Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch said in a statement. We believe that we will provide a great array of sports content in the future.” To one place. ”
YouTube already offers NFL Sunday Ticket packages. This package streams out-of-market games to YouTube Live TV subscribers for an additional fee of approximately $200 per season, subject to discounts. However, subscribers will not be able to watch their local teams.
What sports will be included in the new sports streaming service?
The service includes the Big Four: NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, as well as NASCAR auto racing, UFC, PGA Tour golf, Grand Slam tennis, FIFA World Cup, and several college sports.
What channels will be featured on the sports streaming service?
Subscribers have access to all broadcast and cable channels owned by companies that feature sports, including Disney, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, and more. For Fox Corp., Fox, FS1, FS2, and Big 10 Networks. and Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT, TBS and truTV. Disney’s ESPN+, an independent streaming service with 26 million subscribers, will also be part of the new entity, but it lacks rights to major sports and is often bundled with Disney+ and Hulu. What’s not included: Paramount Global’s CBS Sports, which broadcasts most NFL AFC conference games, and Comcast, which airs “Sunday Night Football” on its NBC network and owns the No. 2 cable system. Both companies already stream NFL games on Paramount+ and Peacock, respectively, but the new joint venture partner does not.
How much does the streaming service cost?
The companies have not announced pricing plans, but said the new service will be bundled with their existing streaming services, including Max, Disney+ and Hulu. Fox currently does not have any subscription-based services.
Will the new service have commercials?
of course! As sports rights expand, advertising revenue, along with subscription revenue, has become the key to securing profits. Other streamers that feature sports, such as Amazon Prime (“Thursday Night Football”) and Apple TV+ (His MLB games on Friday nights and Major League Soccer), offer commercials, even if their other programming doesn’t include commercials. , inserting a commercial.
Will my cable TV system be affected?
surely. The ability to stream all major sports in one place knocks down one of cable’s last great pillars and the final reason many subscribers pay hefty monthly fees for packages of channels they don’t watch. Remove one of the. However, as the number of streaming services increases, the cost of purchasing cable separately can also increase.
Cable or a broadcast antenna is still required to watch news coverage, local stations, syndicated programming, and some entertainment programming such as award shows that are not live streamed.
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