Disney in early stages of talks with NFL about Sunday Ticket

Disney is talking with the NFL “about possibly picking up the ‘Sunday Ticket’ franchise that has been a pillar of DirecTV for years,” according to Brian Steinberg of VARIETY. Disney CEO Bob Chapek said during Thursday’s Q2 earnings call that the company “is ‘in conversations’ with the NFL about picking up the service.” However, he “emphasized that it would only make sense if it ‘adds shareholder value.’” Steinberg noted that it is “unclear if Disney sees ‘Sunday Ticket’ as an add-on” for ESPN+, something for the “mothership ESPN linear cable platform or possibly as an incentive to bring sports fans to its Hulu Live service.” AT&T has “made it clear that DirecTV will not renew its ‘Sunday Ticket’ contract with the NFL when it expires” after the ’22 season (VARIETY.com, 5/13).