Warner, Fox and Disney Join for Streaming Sports Joint Venture

Fox Corp., Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney are teaming up to launch a groundbreaking streaming joint venture, consolidating all their sports programming under one broadband roof. This move is set to introduce a new standalone app, where content from ESPN, TNT and Fox Sports will converge, potentially causing a seismic shift in TV sports.

Scheduled for launch in the fall, the new service promises subscribers access to a plethora of linear sports networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV and ESPN+. Not only that, but viewers can also enjoy hundreds of hours of action from major leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and top college divisions.

Also Read: Usher Teams Up With NFL For Exclusive Super Bowl Merchandise

While pricing details are yet to be unveiled, insiders suggest the companies will likely aim for a monthly subscription fee falling between standalone regional sports networks and larger digital programming packages like Hulu Live or YouTube TV.

Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery are teaming up for an unnamed joint venture in a strategic move to recapture lost affiliate fees due to the shift from cable to streaming. This collaboration aims to create a new distribution partner, allowing the media giants to regain revenue from licensing rights. With each company owning a third of the venture, they will contribute their sports content on a non-exclusive basis, establishing an independent management team and a fresh brand for the service.

The move comes as traditional media companies navigate the migration of sports, the last TV format with consistent viewership, to streaming platforms. The joint venture, reminiscent of Hulu's success, consolidates top sports rights, with ESPN and Warner holding significant NHL and NBA rights and Fox, Warner, and ESPN controlling the majority of Major League Baseball rights.

Notably, the NFL remains outside the joint venture, with ‘Sunday Night Football’ on NBCUniversal, ‘Thursday Night Football’ on Amazon and Sunday afternoon games on CBS.

– Farheen Ali