The launch of ESPN’s upcoming ‘Flagship’ streaming service will be the next major shoe to drop in the greater repackaging of current linear television assets. And during an earnings call with investors on Wednesday, Disney CEO Bob Iger reiterated some of the value he sees in Flagship’s upcoming launch.
Flagship, which will reportedly launch sometime later in 2025 (likely before football season), is set to be the first standalone direct-to-consumer offering that includes ESPN’s linear networks. And Iger, speaking to investors, claims that Flagship will include “multiple enhancements” to ESPN content, according to reporting by Brian Steinberg of Variety.
Disney CEO: ‘Flagship’ ESPN with ‘multiple enhancements’ w.some form of betting and fantasy and more personalization, will come ‘sometime in fall of this year,’ bundles w Hulu and D+ are contemplated
— Brian Steinberg (@bristei) February 5, 2025
Such enhancements will include personalization for users that play fantasy sports or wager.
Iger also reiterated his commitment to making ESPN widely available, be that through Flagship, a traditional bundle, or new-age “skinny bundles” that are sports-specific.
According to Front Office Sports, Iger told investors, “The goal all along with ESPN is to make it as accessible as possible, and in as many ways as possible. Some will want to consume it just through an app, some as part of the more traditional expanded basic bundle, and some will migrate in the direction of skinnier bundles, or sports bundles only. We plan to take advantage of the emergence of these bundles.”
Overall, earnings were positive for Disney. The company’s sports division turned in $247 million in operating income for its first fiscal quarter compared to a $103 million loss in the same quarter one year prior. ESPN has recently made its way into a tile on Disney+, a move that has expanded the reach of its sports properties.
And with Iger making his company’s sports strategy clear — personalization and bundling — Disney hopes to capitalize on what’s sure to be a period of disruption this coming year.
