Yeah. Um guys, before we end here, I did want to come to some some controversy at least. Jimmy, let me ask you this Spikele Colin Kaepernick documentary that apparently was sheld or has been shelved.Given the current political climate, there are those who believe, well, that timing is kind of strange. Uh was it perhaps a result of you're not wanting to anger the Trump administration that you're no longer pursuing that. No, absolutely not.We we made that decision many months prior to the NFL announcements. I ...

Competitive Landscape - The price of sports rights is increasing, with competitors like Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, and Netflix [1] - ESPN views itself as the leader in sports rights and engagement, with competitors envying its position [2] - Competition for sports rights, especially for valuable leagues like the NFL and NBA, is expected to continue [3] - The industry believes ESPN has the ecosystem and ability to monetize sports content across multiple platforms [4][5] - There are limited major sports properties available for acquisition in the next 5-7 years [6][8][10] - Amazon's promotion of the NFL through Thursday Night Football is seen as beneficial for the broader football ecosystem, including ESPN [9] ESPN's Position and Strategy - ESPN intends to maintain and grow its position in television sports through digital initiatives, new rights acquisitions, and deals like the one with the NFL [4] - ESPN has the best rights portfolio in its 46-year history and feels confident about its prospects in the direct-to-consumer market [10] - ESPN is positioned to engage with sports fans on a higher level using technology [12] - The company acknowledges competition but believes it is extremely well-positioned [13]

Direct-to-Consumer Transition - ESPN officially launches its direct-to-consumer streaming service for $30 per month [1] - The launch includes 12 networks available directly to consumers, featuring 47,000 live events [2] - The company views this as a defining moment for sports consumption in the digital age, emphasizing personalization and interactivity through an enhanced ESPN app [2][3] - ESPN considers this launch one of its biggest days, aiming to serve sports fans anytime, anywhere [4] Strategic Shift & Measurement of Success - Disney initiated a pivot towards digital and app-based direction following observations of erosion in traditional television bundles [6] - The company is now agnostic between linear and digital television, managing them holistically [9][10] - Success will be measured by the overall performance of the sports business, not solely on subscriber numbers for the new service [8][11] - The company believes focusing on subscriber numbers is irrelevant, emphasizing the positive impact on shareholders and fans [12] Bundling and Content Strategy - ESPN aims to provide everything to sports fans, acknowledging that the new service may not cover 100% of sports content [13] - The company emphasizes evaluating total subscriptions, including traditional paid television and digital MVPDs [14] - Sports fans, especially younger ones, are comfortable with multiple apps and creating their own bundles [15] - The company offers bundles like the Disney bundle at $29.99 per year (including ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu) and bundles with NFL Plus Premium and Fox [16]

welfare weaponizing the regulator will not build confidence in America's institutions or markets. >> Yeah. I don't I don't really get that because if you're against this, I mean, you can say that they're targeting people for politics, but if if they're committing mortgage fraud, then that's really hard to defend, honestly.Like, just because they don't agree with their politics doesn't mean they should not be looked at and should not be prosecuted or accused. if that's what's happening. I'm >> sure we'll get ...

Streaming Services - Disney's ESPN and Fox Corp launched new streaming services [1] - The new services make cable networks' offerings available for a monthly subscription [1]

Deal Overview - Paramount will acquire the US rights to UFC in a $77 billion deal beginning in 2026 [1] - The deal involves moving away from the pay-per-view model for UFC [1] - TKO Group shares increased by more than 15% following the announcement [1] Strategic Rationale - Paramount aims to integrate UFC content into its streaming service, CBS [3] - Paramount has aggressive plans for the next seven years, aligning with UFC's vision [3][4] - The move to CBS and other major platforms could significantly increase viewership due to a lower price point of $13 instead of $80 [7] Pay-Per-View Model - While the pay-per-view model isn't dead, UFC recognizes the potential for broader reach through streaming [5][6] - UFC still performs well on pay-per-view, with events like the one in Chicago expected to do very well [5] Impact on Fighters - Fighter pay has consistently increased since the company's acquisition and will continue to rise [10] - An immediate change in fighter pay is expected in January [10] Production and Innovation - UFC is committed to innovative production and prefers to handle production internally rather than letting networks do it [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - ESPN has announced a significant acquisition of multiple media assets from the NFL, including the NFL Network and RedZone channels, in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN by the NFL, valued at approximately $2.5 to $3 billion based on ESPN's estimated market value of $25 to $30 billion [1][19]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The deal allows ESPN to fully operate the NFL Network, RedZone, and NFL Fantasy, merging the latter with its own fantasy football product [1]. - Following the transaction, ESPN will have exclusive broadcasting rights for an increased number of NFL games, from 22 to 28, enhancing its direct-to-consumer (DTC) offerings [23]. - The NFL will benefit from ESPN's distribution network and production capabilities, while also retaining its NFL+ streaming platform [25]. Group 2: Historical Context - ESPN's previous significant milestone was in 1987 when it first acquired NFL broadcasting rights, which marked its entry into mainstream sports media [10][12]. - The company has faced challenges in recent years due to the rise of streaming services and a decline in cable subscriptions, leading to a drop in ESPN's subscriber base from over 100 million in 2011 to an expected 65.3 million by the end of 2024 [16][18]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - This acquisition represents a strategic pivot for ESPN as it seeks to adapt to changing media consumption habits and enhance its content offerings [18]. - The partnership reflects a broader trend in the industry where leagues and media companies are exploring equity-based collaborations to strengthen their relationships and ensure mutual growth [27]. - The deal also raises concerns about media objectivity, as deeper ties between leagues and media companies could potentially compromise journalistic integrity [28].

>> Coming in hot right now. Sports broadcasting rights getting a huge shakeup this week with ESPN and Fox announcing they are teaming up to create a single streaming service. Also Paramount now striking a $7.7% billion rights deal with the UFC.Lots going on in sports and live sports in particular. Here to talk about that and so much more. Rich Kleiman is boardrooms co-founder and CEO.Good morning to you, sir. Good morning guys. We've got a big event coming up in September which we'll promote and talk about ...

Streaming Strategy - ESPN is launching a new app to enter the streaming era [1] - The new app aims to make cable TV irrelevant [1]

Group 1 - Paramount has secured a $7.7 billion deal to become the exclusive US broadcaster of UFC fights over seven years starting in 2026 [1][4] - All UFC events will be available on Paramount Plus subscriptions, with select events simulcast on CBS, shifting away from ESPN [2][3] - The deal is part of Paramount's strategy to enhance its live sports offerings amid increasing competition in the streaming market [2][4] Group 2 - UFC has become one of the most valuable sports properties, appealing to a younger, global audience that streaming services are targeting [2][4] - The agreement is seen as a significant win for UFC, providing greater exposure for its athletes and the sport itself [4] - Media companies are under pressure to secure live content to retain subscribers, and Paramount is betting on UFC to strengthen its position in the streaming landscape [4]