The new sports streaming service from Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery doesn’t yet have a name, but the joint venture backing the streamer does have now a CEO with the appointment of Pete Distad.
The streaming service is expected to launch sometime in the fall of 2024.
Distad, who has extensive experience in media, sports and technology at companies like Apple and Hulu, will assume oversight of all aspects of the joint venture, including overall strategy, distribution, marketing, sales and more.
Distad worked at Apple from 2013-2023, where he was responsible for the business, operations and global distribution for video, sports and Apple TV+. While there, he launched the new Apple TV in 2015, and later led teams that launched and scaled the Apple TV app, Apple TV+, and MLS Season Pass. He originally joined the company to lead product marketing for the Apple TV hardware product.
His Hulu experience (2007-2013) included serving as senior vice president of marketing and distribution on the executive team. He was part of the original Hulu launch team, overseeing customer acquisition and retention, distribution and marketing.
Prior to Hulu, Distad worked in various technology and management consulting roles, including at McKinsey & Company, Calence (now Insight) and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture).
“This is an incredible opportunity to build and grow a differentiated product that will serve passionate sports fans in the US outside of the traditional pay TV bundle,” Distad said. “I’m excited to be able to pull together the industry-leading sports content portfolios from these three companies to deliver a new best-in-class service.”
Upon establishment of the JV, Distad will report to its board of directors, which will include representatives selected by each of the three companies. He will be based at the to-be-established offices of the joint venture in Los Angeles, along with the independent management team he will assemble.
