76% year on year<\/a> to reach 21.3 million in the Q4 of 2021. However, the streaming service has experienced significant difficulties. In fact, Disney\u2019s streaming operations ran at a $593 million loss in Q4.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDespite this, ESPN and Disney are still enormous brands. They are immediately recognisable to millions of people across the United States and across the globe. This has led to the creation of a new strategy for the two companies \u2014 and possibly a controversial one. ESPN will license its name to an online sportsbook.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESPN reportedly expects to be able to license its identity and branding to a sportsbook provider for around $3 billion. This enormous sum truly demonstrates the strength of the ESPN brand. Even though subscriber numbers are falling, the general public looks at ESPN as a respected sports broadcaster.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maintaining Separation Between Disney and ESPN <\/h2>\n\n\n\n But what about Disney? Disney’s public perception is quite different from that of ESPN. Disney is better known for its family-friendly theme parks and animated movie productions than anything else. This has led to concerns from some quarters. They question whether this indirect association with online sports gambling would harm the Disney brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Disney\u2019s executives believe that there is no conflict of interests or potential barrier to the move. Executives have described the \u201cisolation\u201d between the Disney and ESPN brands. Betting activities, they say, should not be problematic simply because these two entities are wholly independent from one another. This means ESPN can pursue sportsbook licensing, and Disney can benefit from this without causing any damage to the reputation or either.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As well as delivering a cash injection for a sports broadcaster struggling to transition into a changing landscape, it is hoped that the move into sports betting will bring other benefits. By associating the trademark with gambling, ESPN hopes to bring in a new generation of subscribers. They also expect to replenish the viewers the channel has lost in the last decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During Disney’s Q4 earning’s call, company CEO Bob Chapek had this to say: “We’re also moving towards a greater presence in online sports betting,” he said. “Given our reach and scale, we have the potential to partner with third parties in this space in a very meaningful way.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Online sports gambling could provide a lifeline for ESPN, returning the Disney property to its position as a major earner for its parent company. However, this transition will need to be carefully managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read on the latest casino and iGaming news<\/a> at CasinoRank. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Disney and ESPN Look to Expand Presence in Sports Betting Market As the recent Forbes report states, Disney…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3927,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[366,365,353],"yoast_head":"\nDisney is Seeking to Enter Sports Betting Market | CasinoRank\u00ae<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n