<p>ESPN has launched a direct-to-consumer streaming service simply branded "ESPN", which will deliver a personalised experience like fans' own 'Sports Centre'. ESPN has also acquired NFL media assets, integrating the NFL's content into its streaming platform.</p><p>"One of the things I've always craved is a 'SportsCenter' that is tailored to me. So I'm [a fan of] Yankees, Giants, Knicks, Rangers, Notre Dame," ESPN chairman Pitaro told in an interview with ABC News.&nbsp;</p><h2>What does it mean for fans?</h2><p>The service is summed up by the chairman, Pitaro, as 'All of ESPN', and it is priced at $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year. There is a limited selection of content at a lower price of $11.99/month or $119.99/year. It will offer users access to 47,000 live events, 12 networks and the full slate of ESPN original programming.</p><p>The streaming platform is focused on personalising experiences tailored to specific users, including the option to track fantasy teams, track four different games at the same time, and watch, bet at the same time. There is a new feature called &nbsp;"SportsCenter for You," which will include specific videos catering to user interests.&nbsp;</p><h2>ESPN's acquisition of the NFL</h2><p>ESPN has reached a nonbinding agreement with the NFL to acquire major media properties. These includes NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and Red Zone, NFL has received 10 per cent equity ESPN. Furthermore, ESPN will integrate NFL within its streaming platfom. NFL will retain the digital rights via NFL and NFL Film. ESPN will gain the rights for licensing aditional NFL games total 28 NFL game slots per season, however NFL network will retain exclusive rights of eight games. This partnership will deepen ESPN's content offerings and revitalises NFL's network.&nbsp;</p>

ESPN has launched its all-new streaming service and struck a landmark deal to acquire NFL Network, RedZone, and NFL Fantasy. Here’s what it means for fans, pricing, and the future of sports streaming.

ESPN has launched a direct-to-consumer streaming service simply branded "ESPN", which will deliver a personalised experience like fans' own 'Sports Centre'. ESPN has also acquired NFL media assets, integrating the NFL's content into its streaming platform. "One of the things I've always craved is a 'SportsCenter' that is tailored to me. So I'm [a fan of] Yankees, Giants, Knicks, Rangers, Notre Dame," ESPN chairman Pitaro told in an interview with ABC News. What does it mean for fans? The service is summed up by the chairman, Pitaro, as 'All of ESPN', and it is priced at $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year. There is a limited selection of content at a lower price of $11.99/month or $119.99/year. It will offer users access to 47,000 live events, 12 networks and the full slate of ESPN original programming. The streaming platform is focused on personalising experiences tailored to specific users, including the option to track fantasy teams, track four different games at the same time, and watch, bet at the same time. There is a new feature called "SportsCenter for You," which will include specific videos catering to user interests. ESPN's acquisition of the NFL ESPN has reached a nonbinding agreement with the NFL to acquire major media properties. These includes NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and Red Zone, NFL has received 10 per cent equity ESPN. Furthermore, ESPN will integrate NFL within its streaming platfom. NFL will retain the digital rights via NFL and NFL Film. ESPN will gain the rights for licensing aditional NFL games total 28 NFL game slots per season, however NFL network will retain exclusive rights of eight games. This partnership will deepen ESPN's content offerings and revitalises NFL's network.

<p>ESPN has launched its all-new streaming service and struck a landmark deal to acquire NFL Network, RedZone, and NFL Fantasy. Here’s what it means for fans, pricing, and the future of sports streaming.</p>

"All of ESPN": ESPN launches new streaming service as NFL network joins the family

<p>ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, and the National Football League (NFL) announced on Tuesday (August 5) a non-binding transaction under which ESPN will buy NFL Network and certain other media properties owned and controlled by the NFL – NFL's linear RedZone Channel, and NFL Fantasy – in exchange for a 10% ownership stake in ESPN.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Along with the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN are also agreeing to a second non-binding deal, under which the NFL will license to ESPN some NFL content and other intellectual property to be utilized by NFL Network and other assets. These deals involving America's most widely watched sporting league and the world's foremost pioneer in sports media reflect the intention to establish a new benchmark for how professional football is presented, perceived and celebrated by fans.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“Today’s announcement paves the way for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets, and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth and value proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Whether it was debuting Thursday Night Football, televising the Combine, or telling incredible football stories through original shows and breaking news, NFL Network has delivered. The Network’s sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“This is an exciting day for sports fans,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN. “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game—anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.”</p>

Landmark deal: ESPN expands with NFL network acquisition, acquires 10% stake

ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, and the National Football League (NFL) announced on Tuesday (August 5) a non-binding transaction under which ESPN will buy NFL Network and certain other media properties owned and controlled by the NFL – NFL's linear RedZone Channel, and NFL Fantasy – in exchange for a 10% ownership stake in ESPN. Along with the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN are also agreeing to a second non-binding deal, under which the NFL will license to ESPN some NFL content and other intellectual property to be utilized by NFL Network and other assets. These deals involving America's most widely watched sporting league and the world's foremost pioneer in sports media reflect the intention to establish a new benchmark for how professional football is presented, perceived and celebrated by fans. “Today’s announcement paves the way for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets, and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth and value proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.” “Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Whether it was debuting Thursday Night Football, televising the Combine, or telling incredible football stories through original shows and breaking news, NFL Network has delivered. The Network’s sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.” “This is an exciting day for sports fans,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN. “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game—anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.”

<p>These deals involving America's most widely watched sporting league and the world's foremost pioneer in sports media reflect the intention to establish a new benchmark for how professional football is presented, perceived and celebrated by fans</p>

<p>Walt Disney Company on Wednesday released its third-quarter results which showed that its&nbsp;Disney+ streaming platform&nbsp;had added a whopping 14.4 million customers in the fiscal quarter, taking the total tally to 152.1 million.</p>

<p>Add the numbers from Hulu and ESPN+ and Disney appears to have overtaken&nbsp;Netflix, whose subscribers count stood at 220.7 million, as of July.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Disney CEO Bob Chapek in his&nbsp;presentation to investors stated, "We had an excellent quarter, with our world-class creative and business teams powering outstanding performance at our domestic theme parks, big increases in live-sports viewership, and significant subscriber growth at our streaming services."</p>

<p>The Disney boss further added, "With 14.4 million Disney+ subscribers added in the fiscal third quarter, we now have 221 million total subscriptions across our streaming offerings."</p>

<p>Read more:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bts-documentary-series-concert-to-air-on-disney-496535">&nbsp;BTS documentary series, concert to air on Disney+</a></p>

<p>It is pertinent to note that during this quarter, Walt Disney took an ambitious gamble and launched the streaming platform in&nbsp;40 countries across Europe, Africa and Western Asia.</p>

<p><strong>The numbers defy the analyst forecasts</strong></p>

<p>The announcement beat several forecasts as it was predicted that Dinsey+ might lose out on paying customers due to losing out on the streaming rights of lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) to Viacom 18, earlier this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Disney+ goes by the name of Dinsey+ Hotstar in India and several other Asian markets and according to data released on Wednesday, the total number of subscribers from the region stood at 58.4 million, comfortably greater than the combined 44.5 million subscribers in US and Canada.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moreover, Dinsey's revenue stood at&nbsp;$21.5 billion at the end of Q3, greater than most estimates which pegged the earnings to be around $20.68 billion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Disney recently announced its slate of Marvel movies and TV series to be released in Phase 5. Additionally, shows such as&nbsp;The Mandalorian, Loki,&nbsp;Obi-Wan Kenobi, Moon Knight etc. have helped the platform to add new subscribers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking about bringing new storylines, Bob signed off by saying,&nbsp;“We continue to transform entertainment as we near our second century, with compelling new storytelling across our many platforms and unique immersive physical experiences that exceed guest expectations, all of which are reflected in our strong operating results this quarter.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
<strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe></p>

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Walt Disney Company on Wednesday released its third-quarter results which showed that its Disney+ streaming platform had added a whopping 14.4 million customers in the fiscal quarter, taking the total tally to 152.

Walt Disney Company on Wednesday released its third-quarter results which showed that its Disney+ streaming platform had added a whopping 14.4 million customers in the fiscal quarter, taking the total tally to 152.1 million. Add the numbers from Hulu and ESPN+ and Disney appears to have overtaken Netflix, whose subscribers count stood at 220.7 million, as of July. Disney CEO Bob Chapek in his presentation to investors stated, "We had an excellent quarter, with our world-class creative and business teams powering outstanding performance at our domestic theme parks, big increases in live-sports viewership, and significant subscriber growth at our streaming services." The Disney boss further added, "With 14.4 million Disney+ subscribers added in the fiscal third quarter, we now have 221 million total subscriptions across our streaming offerings." Read more: BTS documentary series, concert to air on Disney+ It is pertinent to note that during this quarter, Walt Disney took an ambitious gamble and launched the streaming platform in 40 countries across Europe, Africa and Western Asia. The numbers defy the analyst forecasts The announcement beat several forecasts as it was predicted that Dinsey+ might lose out on paying customers due to losing out on the streaming rights of lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) to Viacom 18, earlier this year. Disney+ goes by the name of Dinsey+ Hotstar in India and several other Asian markets and according to data released on Wednesday, the total number of subscribers from the region stood at 58.4 million, comfortably greater than the combined 44.5 million subscribers in US and Canada. Moreover, Dinsey's revenue stood at $21.5 billion at the end of Q3, greater than most estimates which pegged the earnings to be around $20.68 billion. Disney recently announced its slate of Marvel movies and TV series to be released in Phase 5. Additionally, shows such as The Mandalorian, Loki, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Moon Knight etc. have helped the platform to add new subscribers. Speaking about bringing new storylines, Bob signed off by saying, “We continue to transform entertainment as we near our second century, with compelling new storytelling across our many platforms and unique immersive physical experiences that exceed guest expectations, all of which are reflected in our strong operating results this quarter.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Beating Netflix: Dinsey+ gains 14.4 million subscribers in Q3, hits the 152.1 million mark

<p>Pascal Siakam, a major contributor in Toronto's run to the NBA title last season, has signed a four-year maximum rookie contract extension for $130 million, according to multiple reports Saturday.</p>

<p>The 25-year-old Cameroonian forward signed the deal ahead of a Monday deadline for such extensions for 2016 draftees, ESPN and the Toronto Star reported.</p>

<p>Siakam was voted the NBA's Most Improved Player last season as the Raptors, powered by Kawhi Leonard, captured the NBA title, defeating defending champion Golden State in the final.</p>

<p>In the finals opener, Siakam scored a career playoff-high 32 points to lead the Raptors over the Warriors and signal the best-of-seven series upset to come.</p>

<p>Siakam, who only began playing basketball at age 16 in Africa, averaged 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game for the Raptors last season.</p>

<p>With Leonard leaving for the Los Angeles Clippers, Siakam is expected to play a major role for the Raptors over the next few seasons.</p>

<p>The new deal begins after the 2019-20 campaign. Siakam could have signed a five-year deal but opted for fewer years.</p>


Pascal Siakam, a major contributor in Toronto's run to the NBA title last season, has signed a four-year maximum rookie contract extension for $130 million, according to multiple reports Saturday.

Pascal Siakam, a major contributor in Toronto's run to the NBA title last season, has signed a four-year maximum rookie contract extension for $130 million, according to multiple reports Saturday. The 25-year-old Cameroonian forward signed the deal ahead of a Monday deadline for such extensions for 2016 draftees, ESPN and the Toronto Star reported. Siakam was voted the NBA's Most Improved Player last season as the Raptors, powered by Kawhi Leonard, captured the NBA title, defeating defending champion Golden State in the final. In the finals opener, Siakam scored a career playoff-high 32 points to lead the Raptors over the Warriors and signal the best-of-seven series upset to come. Siakam, who only began playing basketball at age 16 in Africa, averaged 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game for the Raptors last season. With Leonard leaving for the Los Angeles Clippers, Siakam is expected to play a major role for the Raptors over the next few seasons. The new deal begins after the 2019-20 campaign. Siakam could have signed a five-year deal but opted for fewer years.

Pascal Siakam signs four-year maximum NBA deal with Raptors: Reports

<p>ESPN suspended its anchor Jemele Hill for two weeks after she tweeted about Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones calling for a sponsor boycott.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The &quot;Sportscenter&quot; anchor was sanctioned after she urged the public to put pressure on Jones and the Cowboys by shunning the NFL owner&#39;s sponsors in her tweet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Change happens when advertisers are impacted. If you feel strongly about JJ&#39;s statement, boycott his advertisers,&quot; Hill wrote, AFP quoted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Just so we&#39;re clear: I&#39;m not advocating a NFL boycott. But an unfair burden has been put on players in Dallas &amp; Miami w/ anthem directives.</p>
&mdash; Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) <a href="https://twitter.com/jemelehill/status/917421938879889408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If fans really are that upset about what JJ &amp; Stephen Ross have done, don&#39;t call the players sellouts, but you&#39;re watching every Sunday.</p>
&mdash; Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) <a href="https://twitter.com/jemelehill/status/917422283995713544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Jerry Jones said Sunday that he would not play anyone on his team who took a knee during the anthem.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ESPN network said &quot;Jemele Hill has been suspended for two weeks for a second violation of our social media guidelines,&quot; in reference to an earlier controversy last month in which she described US President Donald Trump as a &quot;white supremacist.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ESPN&#39;s Statement on Jemele Hill: <a href="https://t.co/JkVoBVz7lv">pic.twitter.com/JkVoBVz7lv</a></p>
&mdash; ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPR/status/917469637033512960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The twitter post said, &quot;She previously acknowledged letting her colleagues and company down with an impulsive tweet. In the aftermath, all employees were reminded of how individual tweets may reflect negatively on ESPN and that such actions would have consequences.&quot;</p>

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In a tweet by Jemele Hill, the anchor urged the public to call for a boycott against Jerry Jones after he warned players kneeling during the US National Anthem risked being left on the bench

ESPN suspended its anchor Jemele Hill for two weeks after she tweeted about Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones calling for a sponsor boycott. The "Sportscenter" anchor was sanctioned after she urged the public to put pressure on Jones and the Cowboys by shunning the NFL owner's sponsors in her tweet. "Change happens when advertisers are impacted. If you feel strongly about JJ's statement, boycott his advertisers," Hill wrote, AFP quoted. Just so we're clear: I'm not advocating a NFL boycott. But an unfair burden has been put on players in Dallas & Miami w/ anthem directives. — Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017 × If fans really are that upset about what JJ & Stephen Ross have done, don't call the players sellouts, but you're watching every Sunday. — Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017 × Jerry Jones said Sunday that he would not play anyone on his team who took a knee during the anthem. The ESPN network said "Jemele Hill has been suspended for two weeks for a second violation of our social media guidelines," in reference to an earlier controversy last month in which she described US President Donald Trump as a "white supremacist." ESPN's Statement on Jemele Hill: pic.twitter.com/JkVoBVz7lv — ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) October 9, 2017 × The twitter post said, "She previously acknowledged letting her colleagues and company down with an impulsive tweet. In the aftermath, all employees were reminded of how individual tweets may reflect negatively on ESPN and that such actions would have consequences."

ESPN suspends it's anchor Jemele Hill after she calls for a boycott against Jerry Jones

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