Disney is finally launching a standalone ESPN streaming service priced at $30 per month, allowing sports fans to subscribe without traditional cable. This launch marks a significant move for Disney as it acknowledges the changing dynamics of TV viewership and the potential decline of cable subscriptions. ESPN aims to attract over 60 million potential subscribers who don't own cable TV. However, Disney also recognizes that this new service risks accelerating the decline of the cable television industry as sports fans may switch from more expensive cable packages to this more affordable option.
Either way, the company gets a monthly subscription fee from you. But for now, Disney has to maintain in public that it's really interested in the first scenario.
ESPN boss Jimmy Pitaro said at a launch event Tuesday morning - referring to the pool of people who don't have a TV subscription.
The truth is that both ESPN and the rest of the TV industry know there are people who might stop getting cable TV once they can just get ESPN.
That's because Disney, along with other TV network operators, has spent years trying to keep a foot in each canoe: offering some of its best programming on digital-only services.
Collection
[
|
...
]