One reason so many are quitting: We want control over our lives again
The pandemic, and the challenges of balancing life and work during it, have stripped us of agency. Resigning is one way of regaining a sense…
Thought Leader: Amy Cuddy
Sara Fischer: Sports Streaming Enters New Era
The rollout of ESPN and Fox’s new streaming services this week represents a landmark moment for the sports industry, one where fans can finally start to expect a better bang for their buck.
Why it matters: Sports streaming was supposed to make it easier for fans to watch their favorite teams, but over the past two decades, live rights became unwieldy, expensive and complicated. Now, two of the world’s biggest sports networks are teaming up to solve that problem.
State of play: On Thursday, ESPN and Fox both unveiled their highly anticipated new direct-to-consumer services, which include all of the sports rights currently available to their cable customers. Despite their rivalry, the companies will offer consumers a chance to buy the services together in a $39.99 per month bundle, starting Oct. 2.
- ESPN’s service, titled ESPN, includes a slew of new fan-centric features, like an in-app merchandise store powered by Fanatics, data-filled portals linked to ESPN Bet and ESPN Fantasy and a multi-view option that allows fans to watch multiple live games at once.
- Fox’s new service, called Fox One, also provides multi-view functionality and new features including unlimited storage for livestream recordings, a personalized content library and short clips to help users catch up on games.
- Both services are available to ESPN and Fox’s existing cable subscribers at no extra cost. ESPN’s new service is also available as a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu.
Between the lines: What makes both new streamers so groundbreaking is that each is built to serve as a broader content platform, rather than just a repository for their own programming and live rights.
- That will make it easier for ESPN and Fox to offer bundled packages that can help lower the overall cost of streaming for consumers.
Zoom in: Both networks are starting to invest more in new companies and leagues that they can use in their bundles.
- ESPN acquired the NFL Network as a part of a larger strategic deal with the NFL earlier this month, which it will include in its new service.
- ESPN made a minority investment in the Premier Lacrosse League in June, as a part of its renewed media rights deal with the league.
- I asked Fox One CEO Pete Distad this past week whether Fox is eyeing a similar platform model for other leagues and programmers.
- “I guess you could argue we kind of created that with this,” he said, while noting the service will include access to the Big Ten Network, of which Fox has a 61% stake.
- Fox One also includes news and entertainment programming from across its networks. While that doesn’t include content from Fox News’ subscription streamer, Fox Nation, those can be added via a bundled offering.
- Distad said the company is currently working to identify podcasts that are part of Red Seat Ventures, a creator company it acquired earlier this year, that would make sense for the service.
Data: Axios research; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios
What to watch: The streaming platform shift has huge implications for local sports fans, who are currently struggling to navigate a convoluted rights ecosystem as regional sports networks falter. (See above.)
- Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred wants to nationalize the league’s local sports rights deals with a big streamer when the majority expire in 2028.
- ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has been vocal about ESPN’s interest in housing the MLB’s live rights.
- “We are engaged. We are having healthy conversations with them,” he told reporters Wednesday. “Nothing to announce today, but we’re very interested in baseball in general, but also local content.”
The bottom line: “I think there’s a lot of mess out there right now in terms of bundling,” Distad said. “No one has the answer, but that’s why we built this flexibly.”
Sara Fischer, a digital media and technology reporter at Axios, is a trusted voice on the evolving intersection of media, advertising, and tech. Known for her sharp analysis of trends shaping the future of media, she dives deep into the dynamics of platforms like Disney, Netflix, and Google, offering insightful perspectives on how companies are leveraging data and tech to transform the ad landscape. Fischer’s expertise in dissecting the strategies behind streaming wars, global expansion, and advertising innovation makes her a dynamic keynote speaker capable of illuminating the shifting contours of the digital economy. With her keen eye on the next big media move, she helps audiences understand what’s coming next in the rapidly changing world of tech and advertising. Fischer’s speaking engagements are managed exclusively by WWSG. To host her for your event, contact us
Relevant posts
Scott Gottlieb: How well can AI chatbots mimic doctors in a treatment setting?
This is an Op-ed by WWSG exclusive thought leader, Dr. Scott Gottlieb. Many consumers and medical providers are turning to chatbots, powered by large language…
Thought Leader: Scott Gottlieb
Sara Fischer: The AI-generated disinformation dystopia that wasn’t
This piece is by WWSG exclusive thought leader, Sara Fischer. Amid the craziest news cycle in recent memory, AI-generated deepfakes have yet to become the huge truth…
Thought Leader: Sara Fischer
More with this speaker
Sara Fischer: The Risk of Cutting Public Media Funding
Thought Leader: Sara Fischer
Sara Fischer: X CEO Linda Yaccarino to step down
Thought Leader: Sara Fischer
