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.”
Jimmy Zasowski promoted to President, Platform Distribution at Disney
The move comes as Disney navigates frequent distribution disputes and accelerates its direct-to-consumer strategy.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Fox News, NBC end 2025 as top networks in prime-time
Fox News grew its prime-time audience year over year, while NBC saw double-digit declines in total viewers and key demos.
RATINGS
ESPN launches new ad campaign promoting year-round sports coverage
The network is trying to avoid seasonality churn-out, similar to what co-owned streamer Fubo experiences each year.
Nielsen: Network TV viewership slumps during second week of December
Nielsen data showed lower network TV viewing in mid-December, with average audiences for top broadcast programs falling week over week.
RATINGS
Google, Disney reach deal to restore Movies Anywhere partnership
Google and Disney are working together to reintegrate the Google Play Store and YouTube into the Movies Anywhere initiative.
Nielsen: TV usage skyrockets in November, YouTube share flat
Americans watched more than 100 billion minutes of TV in November, driven by Thanksgiving NFL games and strong broadcast viewership.
THE GAUGE
Nielsen: Sports dominates on TV in early December; Hallmark pulls strong viewership with holiday films
Sports programming continued to boost traditional linear television networks during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week.
Disney pulls plug on ESPN 3, shifts content to ESPN Unlimited
Disney has shut down ESPN 3 as it shifts its distribution strategy toward ESPN Unlimited, which carries all programming from ESPN’s cable networks and ESPN Plus.
Antenna: Amazon gives Fox One edge over ESPN Unlimited
Fox's decision to partner with Amazon for sales of Fox One helped it grow faster than ESPN Unlimited, according to Antenna.
DATA
Antenna: Fox One subscriptions surpass 2 million in October
The number of streamers watching content on Fox One surpassed 2 million subscribers since its mid-August launch.
Major League Baseball inks multi-year TV deal with Netflix, ESPN, NBC Universal
Major League Baseball will distribute regular-season games and special events on Netflix, NBC Sports and ESPN under a new three-year deal, the league announced this week.
Sling offers $1 Day Pass to ESPN after courtroom win against Disney
On Tuesday, a federal judge denied Disney's request for a preliminary injunction, which would have forced Sling to stop offering the Day Pass while the lawsuit played out.