Disney now has a majority stake in BAMTech. In related news, ESPN’s over-the-top service is now set for early next year. Also, the NBA schedule is being finalized.
Disney Now Owns BAMTech
- ESPN parent company Disney is now the majority owner of BAMTech, the streaming provider spun off from MLB Advanced Media, it was announced Tuesday. Disney, which already owned 33% of the company after a $1.0 billion transaction last year, paid MLBAM $1.6 billion for an additional 42% — bringing its total stake to 75%. The move is not exactly a surprise, as Disney’s deal last year included an option to acquire a majority of the company, albeit over an extended period of time. BAMTech runs the streaming apparatus of several major companies, from Playstation Vue to HBO Now to Twitter and, in the sports realm, NHL.TV, MLB.TV and WatchESPN. As was originally planned since last year’s acquisition, BAMTech will develop ESPN’s new over-the-top streaming service. [ESPN PR 8.8]
ESPN OTT Coming Next Year, With NHL
- Disney also announced Tuesday that ESPN’s OTT streaming service will launch early next year with a programming slate that includes MLB, MLS, Grand Slam tennis and, most notably, the NHL. It was not immediately clear whether the NHL component would include ESPN-produced broadcasts in addition to the existing NHL.TV package. The OTT service, which will be available through the traditional ESPN app, was originally announced when Disney bought a stake in BAMTech last year. [ESPN PR 8.8]
NBA Schedule Finalized This Week
- The NBA schedule will be finalized this week, ESPN.com reported Tuesday, with portions of the schedule released soon after. As previously noted, the season will begin a week earlier than usual thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement, with opening night set for October 17. [ESPN.com 8.8]
