How is ESPN integration going with Disney+?

Disney has started integrating ESPN content into Disney+, allowing subscribers to access live games, originals and studio shows without an ESPN+ subscription. Disney hopes to attract casual sports fans and a larger female audience, as well as prepare consumers for a standalone ESPN streaming service expected in 2024.

How's it going? And who is taking advantage of this opportunity?

“One of our priorities is audience expansion, and we love the idea of potentially speaking directly to casual fans and speaking to the very large female audience that is on Disney+” says Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, during an interview. “We see an opportunity to help the Disney+ platform in terms of creating some more stickiness and differentiation, and also helping ESPN in terms of expanding our audience.” Disney’s research, he adds, shows very little overlap between people who watch ESPN offerings on linear channels and subscribers to Disney+.