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https://www.recode.net/2017/12/18/16790858/espn-john-skipper-disney-fox-departure-risk
ESPN boss John Skipper, one of TV’s most important executives, is leaving at a crucial time
ESPN boss John Skipper, one of TV’s most important executives, is leaving at a crucial time
Recode said:Next March, ESPN is scheduled to launch ESPN Plus, its repeatedly delayed digital subscription service. While Iger has played up the launch as part of his strategy to bring Disney products directly to consumers, ESPN executives have privately worried that the service will underwhelm consumers, since it won’t have any of the big-ticket sports ESPN runs on linear TV. It also won’t have any of the lesser-ticket sports ESPN currently carries on its ESPNWatch digital platform, which it provides to pay TV customers.
Instead, ESPN Plus will carry ... something else. Think pro tennis and small-school college sports. Managing expectations and reality for this one will be difficult no matter who is in charge.
Recode said:It has even started to mull the notion of living without the NFL. ESPN has a deal to air “Monday Night Football” through 2021, but faced with the prospects of drooping NFL ratings, coupled with cash-rich tech competitors like Amazon, the network has been imagining what life would like without Monday night games, or any other pro football deals.
On the other hand, Disney’s Fox deal contemplates betting even more money on TV sports, by acquiring Fox’s 22 regional sports networks. If regulators sign off, Disney would end up with exclusive deals — and the accompanying bills — to show local games from 44 pro sports franchises.
The operating theory seems to be: Even in a world where pay TV is a much smaller business, sports will be a crucial part of that business, so why not own as much as possible?