Latest news with #DisneyPlatformDistribution
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
ESPN DTC And FOX Sports One Join Forces On New Streaming Service
The two largest all-sports networks are joining forces in a new streaming platform that will deliver content from both ESPN and FOX Sports One. The new venture was announced on Monday, August 11. ESPN's upcoming direct-to-consumer service and FOX One, Fox Corporation's (Nasdaq: FOXA, FOX; 'FOX' or the 'Company') wholly-owned direct to consumer streaming service, announced an agreement that will give consumers the opportunity to purchase the two services bundled together starting October 2 for $39.99 per month. 'Working with FOX One on this bundle offer allows us to bring ESPN's world-class sports content to even more fans in a seamless and innovative way,' said Sean Breen, EVP, Disney Platform Distribution. 'This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to delivering premium experiences across platforms and meeting consumers where they are – anytime, anywhere.' 'Announcing ESPN as our first bundle partner is evidence of our desire to deliver the best possible value and viewing experience to our shared customers,' said Tony Billetter, SVP, Strategy and Business Development, FOX Direct to Consumer. 'Viewers will have access to an incredible portfolio of content through this bundle, including NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, College Football and Basketball, NASCAR, INDYCAR, UFC, as well as the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and more as we continue to look for opportunities to streamline the user experience, especially for the ultimate sports fan.' The ESPN DTC offering will give fans access to all of ESPN's linear networks – ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes – in addition to ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, SECN+, and ACCNX, covering 47,000 live events each year, on-demand replays, studio shows, original programming, as well as newly expanded NFL content and more information about ESPN DTC, visit FOX One will bring all of FOX's leading News, Sports and Entertainment branded content together in one dynamic streaming platform. For the first time, cord-cutters and cord-nevers will have live streaming and on-demand access to the real-time thrills, bold voices, and defining stories across the full portfolio of FOX brands including FOX News Channel, FOX Business, FOX Weather, FOX Sports, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, FOX Deportes, FOX Local Stations and the FOX Network as well as the option to bundle FOX Nation and B1G+ within one platform. The latest updates and information about the upcoming FOX One service are available at The ESPN DTC offering and FOX One service will both individually become available to consumers beginning August 21 and the combined bundle will be available for purchase beginning on October 2. All of ESPN. All in One Place. Coming August 21 For the first time ever, ESPN will offer its full suite of networks and services directly to fans, along with an enhanced ESPN App that integrates game stats, betting information, fantasy sports, commerce, multiview options and a personalized SportsCenter For You. Designed to give fans more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, these new features and functionality will be available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a traditional pay TV package. About FOX One FOX One is Fox Corporation's wholly-owned, direct to consumer streaming service, bringing together the thrill of live streaming and the bold, trusted voices that define the full portfolio of FOX brands, including FOX News Channel, FOX Sports, the FOX Network, BTN, FOX Business, FOX Weather, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes, FOX Local Stations and FOX Nation through the bundle. FOX One is designed to cater to cord-cutters and cord-nevers, delivering FOX's content directly to audiences wherever they are and allowing them to watch how and when they want. Utilizing the technological innovations of Tubi Media Group, FOX One leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance the user experience, with advanced personalization that adapts to individual viewers and easily integrates live and on-demand content. About Fox Corporation Fox Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports, and entertainment content through its primary iconic domestic brands, including FOX News Media, FOX Sports, Tubi Media Group, FOX Entertainment, and FOX Television Stations. These brands hold cultural significance with consumers and commercial importance for distributors and advertisers. The breadth and depth of our footprint allows us to deliver content that engages and informs audiences, develop deeper consumer relationships, and create more compelling product offerings. FOX maintains an impressive track record of news, sports, and entertainment industry success that shapes our strategy to capitalize on existing strengths and invest in new initiatives.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Mouse Roars: Disney Tries To Derail Justin Connolly's New YouTube Gig With Breach Of Contract Suit
Corporate poaching never goes over well with Disney and even less so when they lose a key executive like Justin Connolly to the likes of the ever dominating YouTube. Which means, after 20 years at the Walt Disney Company in various capacities, and a 2024 inked employment contract, presumed lifer Connolly is now finding his sudden segue to the Google-owned social media and online video sharing platform a bit bumpier than expected. Make that preliminary injunction and perhaps permanent injunction bumpy. More from Deadline Justin Connolly Exits Disney Distribution Post For Top Role At YouTube - Update Disney Pushes Next Two 'Avengers' Movies; Dates 'The Dog Stars' & 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' 'Lilo & Stitch' & 'Mission: Impossible - Final Reckoning' To Fuel Near Half-Billion Combined Global Debut In A Memorial Day Weekend For The Record Books - Box Office Preview In a short but sharp breach of contract suit filed Wednesday in LA Superior Court, the House of Mouse want the courts to stop their recently departed president of Disney Platform Distribution from being able to start his newly created gig as YouTube's global head of media and sports. Like never start it. Casting any sentimentality aside regardless of Connolly's previously long loyal service, and recalling there is a reason they call it show business and not show pals, Disney are insisting that the contractual rules are no game here. 'In April 2025, Disney became aware of YouTube's offer of employment to Connolly,' says the suit against the exec and the video platform filed by heavyweight employment law firm Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp on May 21 in DTLA. On November 6 last year, Connolly signed a new contract set to kick in on January 1, 2025 and run to December 31, 2027. That all changed last week. 'This news came at a critical time in Connolly's tenure as President of Platform Distribution for Disney. Disney is in the midst of several important product launches and renegotiation of some of its largest distribution deals, and Connolly has been the architect of Disney's distribution strategy and its principal negotiator,' Disney declares in the breach of contract, tortious interference and unfair competition action. 'Critically, Connolly leads the Disney team negotiating a license renewal with YouTube. Connolly has intimate knowledge of Disney's other distribution deals, the financial details concerning Disney's content being licensed to YouTube, and Disney's negotiation strategies, both in general and in particular with respect to YouTube.' Or to put it in the starkest of Magic Kingdom terms: 'It would be extremely prejudicial to Disney for Connolly to breach the contract which he negotiated just a few months ago and switch teams when Disney is working on a new licensing deal with the company that is trying to poach him.' Both Disney and YouTube declined to comment on the lawsuit when contacted by Deadline today. In this C-suite game of executive chairs, Connolly exited his Disney post after two decades last Friday, just as the company, as it makes clear in its BOC suit, was nearing a consequential series of negotiations. Connolly was to have played a central role in talks with distribution partners for ESPN's forthcoming stand-alone streamer and also, ironically, carriage renewal talks with YouTube TV. The companies' current agreement expires later this year. In fact, the exec was one of several senior leaders at ESPN and Disney (a roster that included CEO Bob Iger) to attend a media briefing last week about ESPN's streaming strategy. When he circulated a memo later that week announcing his departure, it reportedly took employees by surprise given he had recently re-upped his contract. Exposing that Connolly's now past role and responsibilities at Disney was of a 'special, unique, unusual, extraordinary, or intellectual character, which gives them peculiar value,' the company was taken the role of the injured party here not disingenuously at first glance. 'As a direct and proximate result of Connolly's breach of the Employment Agreement, Disney has been harmed and will continue to be harmed,' the Bob Iger-run media colossus asserts in their filing. 'Connolly threatens to, and unless restrained, will continue to breach the Employment Agreement, to Disney and its affiliates' great and irreparable injury, for which damages would not afford adequate relief, in that they would not completely compensate for Disney's injuries.' Best of Deadline Every 'The Voice' Winner Since Season 1, Including 9 Team Blake Champions Everything We Know About 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' So Far 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
