Disney has decided to keep ESPN
Business Insider • • business
Key Points:
- Disney has decided not to spin off ESPN, keeping the sports network within the company as part of CEO Josh D'Amaro's early major decisions.
- The move comes despite ongoing investor and analyst concerns that ESPN's declining cable business could negatively impact Disney's overall value.
- Disney plans to continue offering ESPN through multiple channels, including traditional cable, streaming bundles with Hulu and Disney+, and as a standalone streaming service.
- The company may explore partnerships by selling minority stakes in ESPN, similar to the 10% stake sold to the NFL last year.
- Disney faces an FCC probe into its ABC broadcast licenses, announced shortly after President Trump called for the firing of comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
