ESPN will have content on Disney+ with a dedicated section
ESPN continues its transition to more direct-to-consumer offerings and is more accessible with Wednesday’s launch of Disney+.
The ESPN expansion with its own section on Disney+ follows Hulu’s launch on Disney+ earlier this year.
Those who subscribe to a package with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ will be able to access all of their content in one place. Standalone Disney+ subscribers will have access to ESPN+ content – which is primarily college football and basketball – as well as some access to premium live events.
ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said this is just another step toward the network launching its own direct-to-consumer product — called Flagship — in fall 2025.
“We hope we can attract the casual sports fan, and then once we launch Flagship, try to attract them to that,” Pitaro said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “It will also help us to be on Disney+ to get data on viewing experiences.
Standalone Disney+ subscribers will be able to watch select live ESPN events, including five NBA games on Christmas Day and the first day of the Australian Open.
The “Monday Night Football” alternate broadcast during Monday night’s Cincinnati Bengals-Dallas Cowboys game featuring The Simpsons, as well as the NBA “Dunk the Halls” alternate broadcast during the San Antonio Spurs-New York Knicks game, were already planned for Disney+.
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