When a late November report surfaced about ESPN losing seven million subscribers to cable cord-cutting, it only increased rumors of the Worldwide Leader in Sports transitioning into a standalone app that would charge a monthly fee.
Well, it doesn't seem as if ESPN isn't leaning toward that right now, as much as it's exploring growing its streaming presence.
"A number of people have expressed interest and we're in discussions with a large number of people," ESPN president John Skipper told Re/code on Wednesday about expanding the network's digital streaming presence. "I think other people will enter into some markets with lighter packages in this calendar year."
While he didn't mention Amazon or Apple as possible platform partners for ESPN to stream with, it doesn't seem like the network is considering the move to become a standalone app at all — the way HBO has had success with with HBO Now.
"We do not believe it right now to be good business," Skipper additionally told Re/code.
That should close the door for sports fans holding onto dwindling hope that ESPN would become a standalone app, so they could cut off their cable television subscriptions. As it stands, ESPN could be the sole reason that many cable subscribers — sports fans — continue with plans with their current carriers, as the network feeds them all the sports they need and do it better than anyone else in the sports space.
So, instead of looking forward to cutting their cable cords, sports fans could at least look forward to adding an ESPN streaming channel, although the Worldwide Leader in Sports hasn't announced a partner as of yet.
Currently, as reported by Digital Trends, ESPN can be viewed by users without a cable TV subscription via Sling TV and PlayStation Vue. Both platforms offer other Disney-owned programming such as the Disney Channel and Freeform, which used to go by the name ABC Family.
While Skipper didn't mention talks with big streaming players like Amazon or Apple, he did mention Sling TV.
"We think that it can be a significant mover in helping us navigate the next few years," he told Re/code about the platform, with which ESPN has already enjoyed success. "We see the Sling TV numbers, which are significant."
That being said, he didn't rule out Apple and its Apple TV, either.
"The only thing I'm willing to discuss with Apple and [media boss] Eddy Cue, and he's a friend of mine, is that Apple understand the value of the Walt Disney Company," Skipper said.
Which platform would you like to stream ESPN with the most?
