ESPN On Disney+ Expands To Europe & Asia With NBA, NHL, College Sports

ESPN is expanding to more than 50 countries via its Disney+ app.

The much-vaunted app will become available across Europe and Asia-Pacific as it brings its total number of international markets to around 100.

The initial offering will vary by market but will grow to thousands of live events over the next year including NBA, NHL and college sports. Disney+ subs will also have access to ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary collection and a library of films, along with select studio shows, including ESPN FC, ESPN’s global football news and information program.  

In Europe, Disney said the expansion “builds upon a growing portfolio of world-class sports content on Disney+.” In select Asia-Pacific markets, which includes Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, a curated selection of English‑language ESPN sports programming will be available on Disney+ during an initial phase.

Disney launched the expanded ESPN service last August after years of fanfare. The new offering brings together more than a dozen linear network feeds with streaming originals and other programming. It is available at no extra cost to a subscribers to several top pay-TV providers, or for a minimum of $29.99 a month as a stand-alone. 

ESPN and Disney have not released subscriber numbers for the new streamer, saying their strategic goal is to make their platforms accessible to all consumers regardless of whether or not they pay for a pay-TV package. Disney also has followed Netflix’s lead and stopped reporting quarterly subscriber tallies.

Distribution has been a complicated process for the new streaming outlet, and rights to add it to pay bundles flared up as an issue in negotiations with YouTube TV last fall. Disney networks, including ESPN, went dark for 15 days in the middle of football season as the parties hammered out a deal, which included the option for YouTube TV subscribers to activate ESPN without an extra monthly payment. Those rights are due to kick in this fall.

“This expansion marks an exciting next step for ESPN and Disney+ in our commitment to sports fans,” said Freddy Rolón, Head of Global Sports & Talent Office, ESPN. “ESPN has a longstanding tradition of delivering world-class content to sports fans, and the continued growth on Disney+ allows us to extend our reach and provide greater access and deeper connections with fans everywhere.”