ESPN
ESPN is an international sports television network based in the United States. The company operates as a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company and Hearst Television. ESPN is an acronym for “Entertainment and Sports Program Network.”
Disney CEO confirms layoffs impacting 1,000 jobs
The layoffs are heavily concentrated in marketing and publicity functions, with entire divisions eliminated and senior executives including digital marketing leaders departing.
Sling TV launches “Essential” pack with ESPN, Disney Channel
The plan costs $20 per month and includes access to two ESPN network, the Disney Channel, MeTV and other networks.
Justice Department probes NFL deals with streaming services
The DOJ has opened an antitrust investigation into the NFL’s media rights deals with broadcasters and streaming platforms.
ESPN layoffs connected to Disney’s YouTube TV dispute, report says
A multi-week programming dispute between the Walt Disney Company and Google-owned streaming service YouTube TV is still having an impact, months after the carriage dispute was settled.
Disney announces new executives, leadership structure in entertainment biz
The reorganization consolidates creative, distribution and technology leadership across Disney’s entertainment and streaming businesses.
Hub: Sports fans still frustrated by broadcast, streaming TV deals
Fragmented media rights deals force viewers to navigate multiple apps and subscriptions to follow a single sport or team.
Report: NBA considers streaming hub for local games
The NBA is exploring a centralized streaming package for locally televised games, holding talks with YouTube TV, Prime Video, ESPN and DAZN.
FCC seeks public comment on TV sports rights deals
The FCC is probing whether sports rights deals with streaming services are chipping away at the ability to watch premium events on free broadcast TV.
FIRST ON THE DESK
ESPN to debut women’s sports block on Sundays
ESPN will air WNBA and NWSL games on Sunday in prime-time as part of a new women's sports block that replaces MLB games.
NBA sees higher TV ratings from NBC, ESPN under new rights package
NBA games are averaging 1.8 million viewers across the NBA's three TV partners, up 16 percent from last season.
RATINGS
YouTube TV won’t get ESPN Unlimited until fall, exec confirms
YouTube TV subscribers will have to wait several more months before they can access ESPN Unlimited as part of their streaming TV plan.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Fox says sports, live news drove sign-ups to Fox One during Q2
Sports programming remains one of the core reasons why people are signing up for a Fox One subscription, but news consumers are stickier.
EARNINGS REPORT