In a groundbreaking move, media giants Fox Corp., Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney have announced a new joint venture that will bring all of their sports programming under one streaming platform. This collaboration is set to disrupt the TV sports industry and offer subscribers a comprehensive sports experience.

The new streaming service, scheduled to launch in the fall, will provide access to a vast array of linear sports networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV, and ESPN+ among others. Subscribers will also have access to hundreds of hours of content from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and various top college divisions.

Each of the three companies will own one-third of the joint venture, which will have a separate brand and an independent management team. The forthcoming service aims to consolidate top sports content, as ESPN and Warner currently hold the majority of rights to the NHL and NBA, while Fox, Warner, and ESPN control most of the rights to Major League Baseball.

The move comes at a time when traditional media companies are grappling with the transition of sports programming to streaming platforms. The concentration of prominent sports networks under one roof is a significant development that could reshape the sports media landscape.

Disney's involvement in the joint venture is particularly notable as the company has been exploring strategic alternatives for its sports-focused entity, ESPN. Disney has been in talks with various sports leagues, including the NFL, to expand its presence in digital venues while also addressing the declining subscriber base of its cable-based services.

For Fox Corp., this partnership marks a significant departure from its previous reluctance to put its sports content on streaming platforms. Despite speculation, the company's leader, Lachlan Murdoch, clarified last November that there were no plans for significant live sports on its Tubi streaming hub.

Warner Bros. Discovery, on the other hand, is preparing to launch a pay-tier on its Max streaming service dedicated to sports, under the Bleacher Report brand. Although the release of this pay tier was initially intended to coincide with the NCAA March Madness men's basketball tournament, Warner announced a delay in its timeline.

Disney CEO Bob Iger highlighted the significance of this joint venture, stating, "The launch of this new streaming sports service is a major win for sports fans and an important step forward for the media business." Lachlan Murdoch, Fox Corp.'s CEO, emphasized the innovation and increased choice that the service will provide to consumers. Meanwhile, David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, expressed excitement about delivering a differentiated sports-centric service to passionate fans.

As the fall launch date approaches, subscribers eagerly await further details, including pricing, surrounding this collaboration that promises to revolutionize sports streaming.