ESPN and cable are about to have “the talk”

For a long time, ESPN has been in a monogamous relationship with cable TV. But according to a WSJ report published yesterday, it seems like the Disney-owned channel is ready to head out on its own, take some “me time”, make a few emo playlists, etc. Ya know, the usual breakup stuff.

📺 Background: ESPN has had its own streaming app, ESPN+, since 2018. But much of the channel’s best programming – NBA and NFL games, for example – can only be accessed via the ESPN cable broadcast.

Enter: “Flagship,” the internal code name for ESPN’s covert plan to sell all of itself to consumers as a standalone streaming app, per the WSJ. And the plan appears to be full steam ahead: the network has already locked in at least two (not yet revealed) major sports leagues to allow direct-to-consumer access via their app.

• Though ESPN would still be available via cable, experts predict many customers will switch over to the much-cheaper ESPN app. Which, for cable companies, could become a big problem.

🐭 Zoom out: In other Disney news, the company announced yesterday it will no longer be moving forward with the construction of a $1 billion Florida office complex that would have brought an estimated ~2,000 jobs to the Sunshine State. The decision comes amid the company’s ongoing feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.