Walt Disney, which operates sports broadcaster ESPN, has established a new division, Direct-to-Consumer and International, to oversee its streaming video and international businesses.
Kevin Mayer, the company’s chief strategy officer, will serve as the chairman of the new unit, which will oversee the launch of the new ESPN Plus digital-streaming service, which will launch this year, as well as a new family-focused platform that will launch next year.
Plans for the new service were first revealed two years ago after Walt Disney confirmed an initial investment in BAMTech, the video technology business of MLB Advanced Media, the interactive media arm of Major League Baseball.