Disney+ subscribers in Australia and New Zealand now have access to a brand new hub, ESPN, which brings blockbuster matchups, unmissable moments and more than 10,000 hours of ESPN’s live sports action to the streaming platform.

ESPN on Disney+ is available to subscribers on both Disney+ Premium and Disney+ Standard tiers.

Disney has brought in Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios to helm a full-scale marketing campaign across all platforms to launch ESPN on Disney+ and encourage subscribers to ‘Turn It On’.

The first seven days start with must-watch NBA action as the race to the NBA Playoffs heats up. Back-to-back Live NBA double headers tip off proceedings, headlined by superstars Stephen Curry and LeBron James. Jayson Tatum and the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics face off against the Phoenix Suns across March 26th and 27th. 

The Major League Baseball season opens stateside on March 28 with the New York Yankees meeting the Milwaukee Brewers in a special presentation, to be called by iconic ESPN voice Joe Buck, before Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers return to Dodger Stadium to continue their World Series defence.

The NCAA Basketball Championship hits the ‘Sweet 16’ stage on March 28 as March Madness reaches the final stages; and Australian UFC championship contender Steven Erceg will battle former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Fight Night live from Mexico City on March 30th.

This new ESPN hub features live ESPN and ESPN2 channels, fan-favourite studio shows such as SportsCenter, The Pat McAfee Show, NBA Today, and First Take, along with live events and on-demand replays, and iconic original programming including ESPN’s award-winning library of 30 for 30 films.

The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Senior Vice President and Managing Director, and Head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, said in a statement regarding the launch:

“We’re thrilled ESPN on Disney+ is now streaming for all subscribers in Australia and New Zealand. It’s the new home ground for sports entertainment.  ESPN is the seventh addition to our Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and Star content hubs. Adrenaline-pumping sports are the perfect match up with our must-stream shows, like Daredevil: Born Again and High Potential, all on platform together like only Disney+ can do.  ESPN expands our audience by bringing 10,000 hours of live sports action to Disney+, plus live events and on-demand replays, which represents additional value for subscribers and is a big win for sports fans, coming into what are sure to be nail-biting NBA Playoffs.”

ESPN also has extensive rights to major sporting events, featuring basketball action across the NBA, WNBA, FIBA as “Your Home for Hoops”, and more.  In addition to the ESPN offering on Disney+, ESPN is available via Foxtel, Kayo Sport, Fetch TV, and Sky NZ.

If you don’t have access to the ESPN hub yet, you may need to update your Disney+ app.

Roger’s Take:  The launch of the ESPN hub is a major addition to Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand.  This will put the streaming service on another level in terms of the type of content that’s available and will showcase how Disney+ has adapted over the years to provide more general entertainment content for subscribers.  Hopefully, it won’t be too long until other countries get access to the ESPN hub! 

Are you going to check out the ESPN hub on Disney+?  Let me know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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