Disney is entering the sports betting industry by launching a standalone ESPN app, expanding its reach in sports streaming.
The app will integrate both sports content and betting capabilities, aiming to attract a broad audience, representing a strategic move to maximize viewership through partnerships with DirecTV and Comcast.
Bob Iger, Disney CEO, announced the expansion plans in February, emphasizing the app’s ability to broaden ESPN’s availability. Designed for cord-cutters, the app will offer advanced features that surpass traditional linear models.
Iger also hinted at the app’s integration with sports betting, mentioning that it would include “some form of betting and fantasy, and a high degree of customization and personalization.”
The standalone ESPN app will provide a comprehensive platform for sports content, featuring a customizable SportsCenter, enhanced betting options and statistical analysis. Users will have access to all seven domestic ESPN networks, ESPN on ABC, and other streaming options. This includes over 47,000 live events annually, plus original content, studio analysis and on-demand replays.
Subscribers can choose to purchase the app independently or opt for a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu, offered at an introductory rate for the first year. Additionally, an ESPN Select plan is available, focusing on ESPN+ content.
This new app not only underscores ESPN’s commitment to adapting to changing consumer preferences but also positions Disney to compete with established sports betting platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel.
Iger noted the shift in media consumption habits, stating: “It is pretty clear that young viewers, or young consumers, are leaning more and more into streaming experiences, both fixed televisions on walls and mobile devices.”
He added that the standalone ESPN app is “not really designed to preserve a business, it is designed to grow a business in a market that is evolving or changing right before our eyes.”
