Disney+ integration aims to attract casual sports fans for ESPN.
- Disney unveiled an ESPN tile on Disney+ on Wednesday.
- Disney+ subscribers who don't have ESPN+ can now access approximately 100 live games on ESPN.
- Disney+ is set to receive two new sports studio shows from ESPN, targeted at non-hardcore sports enthusiasts.
ESPN is now promoting Disney+ to attract more users to the sports network.
Disney+ debuted a dedicated ESPN tile on Wednesday, allowing subscribers to watch ESPN programming without leaving the Disney+ application. In the fall, ESPN will launch its "flagship" service, providing full access to all ESPN content through the ESPN tile on Disney+.
Disney+ members will have access to approximately 100 live games without an ESPN subscription, covering college football and basketball, NBA and WNBA, NHL, MLB, tennis, golf, Little League World Series, and UFC, according to ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro in an interview.
Disney+ subscribers will have access to the alternate "Simpsons" telecast of the NFL's "Monday Night Football" game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys, in addition to five NBA Christmas games.
"Pitaro stated that with a Disney+ subscription, users will have access to kids and family content, general entertainment for Hulu subscribers, and sports. The objective is to provide sports fans with uninterrupted access anytime and anywhere."
Disney+ will feature ESPN's studio programming, including "College Gameday," "Pardon the Interruption," and select podcasts with video, for non-ESPN subscribers. Additionally, ESPN sports-related films and documentaries will be available on Disney+, aligned with the active sports season, according to Pitaro.
Disney+ will integrate ESPN's programming, allowing users to search for ESPN content within the Disney+ app. If a Disney+ subscriber who doesn't have an ESPN subscription clicks on something that requires an ESPN subscription, they will be prompted to sign up within the app.
New content for Disney+
Disney+ will have a daily "SportsCenter" show exclusively for its subscribers, which will be live-streamed and then available for on-demand viewing.
Pitaro stated that both programs are in development and will be targeted towards a more casual sports fan.
Pitaro stated that based on our research, there is minimal overlap between individuals who watch Disney+ and ESPN linear.
Pitaro hopes that Disney+'s female audience will tune into the weekly women's show, which he first mentioned in an interview with CNBC Sport in October.
Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ offer a bundle for $16.99 per month, which includes about 30,000 live games annually. The cost for ESPN+ when purchased separately is $11.99 per month.
WATCH: CNBC Sport videocast: ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro
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