Disney, Warner, Fox Enter Joint Venture for Streaming Sports

Fox Corp., Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney are about to launch a new streaming joint venture that will make streaming all sports content easier under one app.

According to Variety, the three media giants are setting up the launch of a new standalone app that will merge content from ESPN, TNT, and Fox Sports.

Disney, Fox, Warner Collaborates for All-in-One Sports App

The sports streaming app, which is slated to debut in the fall, will feature content from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV and ESPN+. It will also include hours of gameplay from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and other college divisions.

More details will soon be announced but based on the current subscriptions, it will be higher than the monthly subscription on a standalone regional sports network which costs around $20 to $30 a month. However, it should be less than other packages like $75 or $80 a month.

The decision to create an all-in-one sports app is significant for American consumers and media companies. A 2023 survey revealed that almost 70% of Americans watch live sports. Most of the cable and streaming packages are also connected to live and regional sports networks.

Disney, Fox, Warner Experience Loss From Cable Subscriptions

Several media companies have experienced loss in their cable subscription due to the immense popularity of streaming. According to the report, the joint venture of the companies is seen as a way to make up for those losses.

This venture will pay the three corporate parents for licensing rights, creating a new distribution partner. Moreover, each company will own a third of the new outlet and license their sports content to a non-exclusive deal.

The companies would control the rights despite creating a new entity. In addition, the new entity will not be making any original content for the service but rather a simple platform to stream content from other networks.

"This new sports service exemplifies our ability as an industry to drive innovation and provide consumers with more choice, enjoyment, and value and we're thrilled to deliver it to sports fans," Disney CEO Bob Iger stated.