Fox Corporation and Disney have announced plans to launch a bundled streaming service combining ESPN and Fox One, set to debut in October 2025. This move comes as both companies aim to streamline their direct-to-consumer offerings amid the evolving streaming market. Disney CEO Bob Iger and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro have acknowledged the challenges posed by cord-cutting over the past decade, prompting the introduction of this comprehensive sports streaming bundle. Concurrently, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee has requested briefings and called on commissioners from major sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL, to testify regarding sports broadcasting markets and the exemptions related to local blackout rules. Lawmakers are examining whether these blackout regulations should be modified or repealed, citing difficulties fans face in accessing live games in the digital age. The discussions reflect growing congressional scrutiny of sports broadcasting practices as the market undergoes significant changes.
As streaming enters its profit era, everyone's eyeing bundles and streamlining their apps — Paramount looking to streamline back-end tech of its streaming apps, per CEO David Ellison — Disney folds Hulu into Disney+ — ESPN and Fox One teaming up @axios https://t.co/uNXC5xQ0tL https://t.co/qK66E04hPj
Is a re-bundling finally on its way to save sports fans some money? https://t.co/18tkNuGqK9
The two networks are launching the direct-to-consumer services as a bundle offering a variety of streaming options, and here's how it works. https://t.co/baCMeOzJgA