ESPN’s strategic partner is likely going to be one of the world’s largest tech companies.
According to a report by The New York Post, major tech companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Verizon, and T-Mobile are some of the candidates to become the strategic partner of ESPN. This comes just a few weeks after The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) -) CEO Bob Iger told CNBC earlier in the month that the company was looking for partners for the sports network.
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Iger said that Disney is looking for help for ESPN’s content and distribution. ESPN is expected to move the full ESPN product, including live sports, to a direct-to-consumer platform within the next few years, with many reports expecting the move to occur around 2025 or 2026.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro clarified last week that the move would not mean the end for ESPN on cable television.
More ESPN:
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- Disney Could Partner With This TV Rival to Boost ESPN, Media Analyst Says
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ESPN has lost about 25 million subscribers over the last decade -- or about 25 million in volume. Partnership with a tech company gives versatility in its distribution especially as the likes of Apple, Amazon, and Google invest more into the direct-to-consumer world themselves.
Disney also already has a partnership with Apple - (AAPL) -) as one of the pioneer media companies that will be integrated into the launch of the highly-anticipated Apple Vision Pro in 2024. The inclusion of ESPN’s live broadcasts were shown during Apple’s first look at the product in June, and Iger described the experience as being “at the game without leaving your home.”
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