Three major media companies, Fox, ESPN, and Warner Bros. Discovery, have announced their collaboration to create a new streaming platform that will revolutionize how fans watch their favorite sports teams. The yet-to-be-named service will launch in the fall and will be available to ESPN+, Hulu, and Max subscribers. Each company will own a third of the service, and their content will be licensed on a non-exclusive basis. The move comes as traditional media companies struggle to compete with streaming giants like Amazon and Apple, who are vying for a larger piece of the sports streaming market.

The new platform will offer a vast array of sports content, including NFL games, Major League Baseball, NBA and NHL content, college basketball's March Madness, European soccer tournaments, golf, tennis, NASCAR, and Formula 1. It will also include offerings from 15 linear networks, such as ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, TNT, TBS, and truTV. The pricing for the service has yet to be announced but is expected to be significantly lower than traditional cable sports packages.

This collaboration is a significant moment for Disney and ESPN, as they have been searching for strategic alternatives for ESPN due to an eroding cable subscriber base. Disney has also been in talks with various sports leagues, including the NFL, about taking a stake in ESPN. Fox, on the other hand, has resisted putting its sports content on streaming platforms, but this collaboration marks a change in strategy.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav expressed excitement about the new service, stating that it exemplifies the industry's ability to drive innovation and provide consumers with more choice, enjoyment, and value. The partnership aims to lure back sports fans who have already cut the cord and provide them with a one-stop app to view most sports.

The announcement comes at a time when ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery are preparing to enter negotiations to renew their NBA rights, which expire at the end of next season. The NBA has proven to be a lucrative franchise on TV, and with new bids from streaming giants like Google, Amazon, Netflix, and Apple, this collaboration is a way for the companies to stay competitive.

While the new service is expected to satisfy some sports viewers who are tired of paying for traditional TV channels they don't want, media analyst Rich Greenfield believes that it may not be enough for die-hard fans who still won't have access to a complete array of live sports. However, this collaboration is seen as a step in the right direction for the industry, as sports rights remain a key part of any streamer's growth strategy.

Overall, the new streaming platform created by Fox, ESPN, and Warner Bros. Discovery is set to disrupt the sports streaming landscape and provide passionate fans with an array of amazing sports content all in one place. The service aims to cater to the changing viewing habits of sports fans and offer a more affordable alternative to traditional cable sports packages.