ESPN
ESPN+ subscriptions dip, Iger ‘encouraged’ by strategic partner talks
ESPN's direct-to-consumer offering, ESPN+, has seen a dip in subscriptions from 25.3 million in the prior quarter ending April 1 to 25.2 million subscribers as of July 1
Former Disney execs Mayer and Staggs to advise on ESPN future
Former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs are returning to work with the US media giant on the future strategy of ESPN
Disney open to selling stake in ESPN, says Iger
Disney is considering selling an equity stake in ESPN and is "open-minded" in finding a strategic partner, according to its chief executive officer Bob Iger
WNBA boasts 46-per-cent viewership rise on ESPN at midway point
The Women's National Basketball Association has drawn an average of 548,000 viewers on ESPN through 13 games for a 46-per-cent increase over the 2022 WNBA season average on the network
ESPN renews commitment to Fiba World Cup coverage in US
The 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup is to receive comprehensive coverage in the United States on ESPN, after a new rights deal was announced today (Monday)
NCAA and IMG weigh up unbundling women’s basketball
The NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship – considered one of the most undervalued properties in American sports – is focused on maximising the property’s value from the 2024-25 season, which opens the door to possibly unbundling the rights.
ESPN to air SlamBall in two-year deal
ESPN has signed a two-year US broadcast deal to air SlamBall, the sport that combines basketball, football, hockey, and trampolines
NBA Playoffs record best viewership in five years
The National Basketball Association's playoffs averaged 5.47 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and TNT, making them the most-watched playoffs in the past five years
ESPN adds F1 alternate broadcast with Ricciardo
ESPN, the American broadcaster for Formula 1, has announced an alternate broadcast hosted by Red Bull Racing reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo and actor and F1 fan Will Arnett for the Canadian Grand Prix…
ESPN ‘laying the groundwork’ for standalone streaming service
US sports broadcaster ESPN is reportedly planning to launch a new streaming service as a standalone subscription-based live sports package
Teqball USA extends ESPN rights deal
Teqball USA, the sport's US organizing body, has extended a rights deal with ESPN to show 15 live events - up from 12 last year - and eight recap shows across the Disney-owned broadcaster’s various networks.
Disney cable revenue falls as ESPN+ subscribers pass 25m
Walt Disney Company has posted a 7-per-cent reduction in linear networks revenue for the most recent quarter due to falls across both domestic and international channels, as ESPN’s streaming service, E…
ESPN to broadcast EuroLeague in US to 2024
Euroleague Basketball has secured exposure for its top-tier competition, the EuroLeague, in the United States by striking a rights deal with sports broadcaster ESPN
ESPN’s Pitaro: Full move to digital question of ‘when not if’
As cable television subscriptions continue to fall amid cord-cutting as ESPN+ streaming subscribers rise, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has hinted at a future where the company goes entirely digital
NBA, NHL Playoff first rounds enjoy viewership spikes
The first rounds of the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League playoffs have drawn major increases in viewership on Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney-owned platforms ESPN and ABC
NFL Draft draws total audience of more than 54m
The National Football League's NFL Draft drew 54.4 million viewers over the three-day event that was held in Kansas City, Missouri
NCAA women’s basketball breaks all records on ESPN platforms
The championship game of the NCAA women's basketball tournament has broken viewership records on ESPN platforms, with 9
NCAA women’s basketball breaks ESPN viewership records
The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament on ESPN has set multiple records, including total minutes watched, average viewers per game, and the single-game viewership record