DIS - Disney Looking To Join Rivals By Doubling Down In Growing Sector
2024-02-09 07:30:00 ET
Summary
- Disney has been steadily building up its plans for expanding its sports business in recent months but mostly behind the scenes.
- Over the last few weeks, we’ve gotten more of a sense of those plans and they're expansive and ambitious - but still carry questions around logistics and execution.
- Disney announced this week it would be creating a new service with rivals WBD/FOX that super-serves sports fans, which comes following rumors of a separate seismic deal with the NFL.
- Both aspects - along with the upcoming direct-to-consumer ESPN option - showcase how a more traditional company like Disney has to pivot to compete with streamers like Amazon/Apple.
- Disney’s board has been under attack from a number of activist investors looking to challenge their leadership, but these reports along with recent strong earnings may help push them back.
In 2023, more than 90% of the 100 most watched programs on TV were tied to the NFL.
Yes, the Super Bowl tops it, but as for those other spots in the top 10, it was a mix of playoff and Thanksgiving Day football with Christmas Day games coming up right after and then regular season game after regular season game....
Disney Looking To Join Rivals By Doubling Down In Growing Sector