Disney+ has revealed plans to introduce ESPN sports programming to its Australian and New Zealand subscribers at no additional charge. This move follows similar implementations in Latin America last year, and in the United States in December.
With over 10,000 hours of content available on the new ESPN and ESPN2 channels, viewers can expect popular US shows like SportsCenter, The Pat McAfee Show, NBA Today, and First Take, along with live NBA and NFL games, replays, and exclusive programming.
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, senior vice president of Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand, expressed excitement about the offering, highlighting it as the "biggest ESPN offering" available in the region, featuring live games and on-demand content.
Previously, ESPN had been accessible through platforms like Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and Sky NZ. Although a specific launch date hasn’t been provided, Disney+ has noted that the ESPN integration is expected in the "coming months". This addition will be available to standard and premium subscribers, but not in "Junior Mode".
This strategic expansion follows the recent sale of Foxtel and its streaming services to DAZN for $3.4 billion, intensifying competition in the streaming landscape against services like Stan, owned by Nine.