After integrating Hulu content into Disney Plus last year, Disney executives say they will do the same with ESPN content and live sports, with the company rolling out a dedicated ESPN section within Disney Plus later this year.
On a conference call with investors on Tuesday, Disney CEO Bob Iger said the launch of the ESPN tile is intended to generate interest in ESPN’s live sports as the company readies a standalone streaming version of ESPN’s cable multiplex networks in the second half of 2025.
“It’s a start in terms of essentially conditioning the audience or subscribers to Disney Plus and Hulu to the fact that sports is going to be there, and it also will help us in terms of overall engagement with our bundle,” Iger said on the call.
Iger said Disney was encouraged by the bundling of Disney Plus with Hulu via a dedicated Hulu content tile, which launched in a beta phase last year and was fully integrated into the service in March.
Disney will continue to prioritize bringing ESPN to the streaming world, but “without abandoning linear,” Iger said, suggesting ESPN will remain focused on cable and satellite distribution while also building out its own streaming presence.
The ESPN tile on Disney Plus will offer a curated selection of news, original programming and a “sampling” of live sports, the company said in investor materials released on Tuesday.
