Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN, Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. are joining forces to launch a sports-focused streaming service that will feature major college and pro games usually seen only on traditional TV.
The service will be one-third owned by each company. Pricing and a name for the service have yet to be determined. They expect to launch the new service by fall 2024, according to a statement Tuesday.
The aim is to draw in viewers who don’t subscribe to a pay-television bundle — and offer them all of the sports that come with such a package. It will include Disney’s ESPN and ABC networks, Fox, and Warner channels including TNT and TBS. The package will include most viewed shows, including Monday Night Football.
With Wednesday’s announcement, three legacy media giants are taking their biggest, most-expensive sports programming online. As part of the announcement, the parties said subscribers would be able to bundle the service with others, including Disney+, Hulu and Max.
Major sports have been moving to streaming services. Amazon.com Inc. carries the NFL’s Thursday Night Football package. Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube recently purchased football’s Sunday Ticket.