ESPN Chairman Teases Upcoming Streaming Service with Multiview, Stats, Betting, and More

Since ESPN and its partners failed to launch its planned Venu Sports streaming service, the company is putting all its eggs in an upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service currently nicknamed “Flagship.” Now, ESPN’s chairman is giving us a glimpse at what’s to come when it launches this fall.

ESPN’s Jimmy Pitaro sat down with the folks at Sports Business Journal to discuss the project. He says we can expect a “significantly enhanced ESPN app.” Users will access the new service through the existing ESPN app – there won’t be a new streaming service. You’ll just have access to all the ESPN channels and ESPN+ within one app.

“We’ll launch with enhancements like more fantasy integration, more betting integration, more commerce integration, stats integration,” Pitaro said. “If you’re a subscriber to ESPN, whether directly or through a cable or satellite affiliate, you will have access to all of that enhanced functionality in addition to a personalized SportsCenter, which we’re really excited about.”

Pitaro said that multiview will be available across all devices. (Currently, that’s only available on Apple TV.)

SBJ did not ask Pitaro about pricing, but we know cable and streaming companies pay over $9 per month per subscriber to carry ESPN. This is why non-ESPN streamers like Philo and Frndly TV are so inexpensive. A standalone ESPN streamer is likely to cost far more than what cable companies pay – possibly in the $40-50 range per month.

ESPN and Future Sports Rights

Although ESPN’s exclusive negotiating window with the UFC is closing, Pitaro said we shouldn’t read anything into the fact that they haven’t reached a deal yet. It sounds as if ESPN would like to continue as the UFC’s PPV distributor.

ESPN recently walked away from its MLB rights package, but Pitaro says he made the right call. “I have to make very tough decisions all the time in my job. I have to be fiscally responsible and disciplined,” Pitaro said. “There was an opt-out in our contract and based on how we looked at performance internally and unemotionally, we had to make a decision to exercise that that opt-out. That does not mean that we are not interested in remaining in business with Major League Baseball.” Pitaro said ESPN is interested in MLB postseason and local rights and the possible takeover of MLB.TV.

See the full conversation with Jimmy Pitaro here: