Disney, Fox Corp, and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc are reportedly considering a former Apple Inc executive for the CEO position of their upcoming sports streaming service. Pete Distad, a former top executive at Apple who previously led its video and sports businesses, is reportedly a leading candidate for the position. The companies are seeking an executive with experience in marketing subscription services and managing the challenges that come with them.
The new sports streaming service is the result of a joint venture between Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. announced earlier this month. The service is expected to offer a comprehensive sports content lineup, potentially helping Disney recoup revenue lost to cord-cutters. It will include 14 networks, including Disney’s ESPN and ABC networks, Warner’s TNT and TBS, and Fox’s broadcast and sports cable channels. The service is expected to launch later this year.
The joint venture is expected to help Disney collect revenue lost due to cord-cutting and is anticipated to offer an extensive lineup of sports content. This move comes as the Super Bowl 2024, the most-watched TV event in history, was also the most-streamed Super Bowl ever, with a reported 123.4 million viewers. The event was broadcast on Paramount+, which experienced its highest postseason viewership since 1998.
Overall, the appointment of a former Apple executive for the CEO position of the upcoming sports streaming service indicates the companies’ intention to leverage their combined resources and expertise in order to compete in the highly competitive streaming market. With the increasing popularity of streaming services and the growing trend of cord-cutting, it is crucial for media giants like Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. to adapt to the changing landscape and provide consumers with convenient and comprehensive sports content options.
