The Varsity ESPN’s Mic Drop & The Athletic’s NYT Afterlife
18 snips
May 14, 2025 Sara Fischer, a media reporter for Axios, dives into the nuances of ESPN's new streaming service and the challenges of its branding. She contrasts ESPN's strategy to appeal to younger viewers with Fox's more cautious approach. The discussion also highlights The Athletic's remarkable growth since its acquisition by The New York Times, emphasizing their successful navigation of a tough media landscape. Together, they examine the dynamics of sports broadcasting and how subscription models are reshaping the industry.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ESPN Streaming Strategy Insight
- ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service aims to attract younger cord-nevers without aiming for massive cord-cutting.\n- Bundled pricing with Disney+ and Hulu seeks subscriber growth while preserving traditional cable deals.
Fox's Tempered Streaming Approach
- Fox's streaming launch is a cautious, strategic move focusing on optionality rather than aggressive competition with cable.\n- It's priced comparable to cable and includes entertainment, news, but not exclusive sports rights like ESPN Plus.
Defining ESPN Streaming Success
- ESPN measures success by growing total ESPN paid subscribers across ecosystems, especially upselling ESPN Plus users.\n- Keeping cord-cutters within the ESPN ecosystem and offsetting cable subscriber losses are primary goals.