As Disney CEO Bob Iger disclosed last week on an earnings call, the service is to be an ESPN-branded streaming service that would launch sometime in 2018. This new platform promises to change the way fans experience sports content forever. More importantly, it aims its sights directly on a youth market that demands engagement and variety from their content. On the gambling side, the service presents both thrilling betting options, including fantasy sports. Plus, it’s filled with original programming and documentaries to enrich your entertainment experience even further.
The ESPN OTT service will set itself apart from the current linear television services by offering a wider range of content. It will feature fan-favorite original studio shows, such as The Pat McAfee Show. Beyond that, it would provide unique creative content designed to attract audiences in new and innovative manners. Iger emphasized the importance of adapting to consumer preferences, stating, “The more ESPN can be present for a new generation of consumers with a product that serves them really well, the better off ESPN’s business is.”
By adding betting and fantasy sports, the new service will meet the changing demands of today’s sports fans. This shrewd strategic play is in line with ESPN’s overall initiative to meet viewers on every platform.
Jimmy Pitaro, president of ESPN, remarked on the service’s comprehensive nature: “We are providing everything ESPN has to offer directly to fans and all in one place.” This combination doesn’t just make content easier to find, it makes finding it more satisfying and delightful to the user.
Iger further elaborated on the service’s ambitions, describing it as “essentially a much bigger offering in terms of product programming than the linear channels currently offer.” Bringing in documentaries and studio shows will significantly increase our content library. This shift is sure to bring in the casual viewer and the die-hard fan alike.
Nowhere is this better illustrated than Disney’s stellar streaming success. That growth is about to be accelerated even more, thanks to the new ESPN platform! Pitaro noted that “Our straightforward approach to name and pricing will help fans cut through the clutter, and provide them compelling options to access all our content within the enhanced ESPN App.”
The entire landscape of sports broadcasting is changing incredibly fast. ESPN’s upcoming foray into streaming represents a huge step forward to satisfy the needs and desires of the modern viewer. By blending traditional sports coverage with innovative features and engaging content, ESPN aims to solidify its position as a leader in the streaming market.
