ESPN Will Soon Change The Landscape of Cable Television
As Bob Iger continues to tackle many of the issues that could change the future landscape of media, there is one man he talks to almost daily — ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
In the near future, ESPN as we currently know it will change forever. Bob Iger has hinted as such ever since his return to Disney, bluntly stating that it is only a matter of time until the network becomes a streaming-focused entity.
Photo: Disney
A Shift To Streaming Is Coming
Iger and Pitaro are focused on the future of ESPN+, the network’s streaming service. As of right now, all ESPN programming is not available for those without cable service. That may soon change.
“We’re going to get to a point where we take our entire network, our flagship programming, and make it available direct to consumers,” Pitaro said. “That’s a ‘when,’ not an ‘if’….We’re only going to do it when it makes sense for our business and for our bottom line.”
Photo: ESPN+
Currently, ESPN is operating on a dual front. The network’s prime-time sports matchups are aired exclusively on traditional television channels. At the same time, however, the network has begun airing more live sports on ESPN+, which runs subscribers $10 a month.
As Pitaro says, moving big-time live sports to ESPN+ needs to make sense for the company’s bottom line. Last year, TV viewers generated $28 billion in revenue for Disney.
Credit: Disney
The NBA Negotiations Are Key
The next step in ESPN’s shift to streaming will likely revolve around the network’s NBA television rights. With a new contract set to take effect in 2025, ESPN executives want to negotiate the ability to air NBA games on ESPN+.
Image Credit: ESPN
“I’m confident we’re going to see eye-to-eye on how to prioritize streaming,” Pitaro said of talks with the league.
A Math Problem
While Iger has called a move to streaming “inevitable” for ESPN, executives have to deal with a math problem. The network is currently studying its data and calculating how many subscribers they would need, and at what price, in order to replace the TV money with streaming.
While ESPN+ will likely radically change in the upcoming years, Pitaro says the network is happy with its current service.
“We’re proud of the fact that we’ve been able to create this must-have product that is still very much complementary to what we have on linear television,” Pitaro said.
Photo: Variety (Rex/Shutterstock)
In the end, it is just a matter of time until ESPN jumps into the streaming era with both feet. When they do, the landscape of television will change forever.
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