Very soon, we might see Amazon and Disney Studios partnering up to offer fans the ESPN service. If you’re a regular sports fan, you can’t be happier. But the shock is yet to come.
ESPN has always played a major role in sports streaming, but it’s recently been losing ground. So, what’s better than restoring its position? On paper, though it might sound like a fairytale of resurrection, Disney plans to charge $20 to $35 for the services.
This would make it the most expensive streaming service in the USA, and they’ll have to compete with Hulu, YouTube, Paramount+, and Apple TV. The latter has also acquired MLS and is currently booming.
Disney is already facing challenges, but they have dreams of saving ESPN and are seeking a strategic partner for their operations. However, such high prices may attract fewer subscribers and disappoint more users.
Furthermore, Disney isn’t just talking to Amazon Studios; news suggests they are also in talks with Apple, Google, Microsoft, Verizon, and T-Mobile. For now, Amazon seems to be the most likely partner for this challenging journey.
Currently, Disney owns 80% of ESPN shares, but the partnership might dilute their ownership. However, the exorbitant pricing won’t work in their favor. They can play the ESPN nostalgia card, but that may only yield short-term results.
As of now, there are no official updates regarding the partnership, but the question remains: what will Disney do?
