Disney to launch ESPN and movie streaming services, drop Netflix deal

BURBANK, CA — The Walt Disney Company announced Tuesday it will launch an ESPN-branded sports streaming service in early 2018, followed by a Disney-branded movie and TV service in 2019, Variety.com reported.The new ESPN-branded OTT service will let users choose from specific sports leagues and games and will offer some 10,000 events not carried on ESPN’s linear channels, according to Variety.com. Disney’s movie and TV streaming service will feature both Disney- and Pixar-branded titles, as well as original movie and TV series productions and some library product.This strategic shift means that Disney is ending the pay TV output deal it...