Any predictions about ESPN trying to grease the wheels for a move away from cable and satellite TV to become a digital-only product are premature. In fact, according to the network’s president Jimmy Pitaro, they are inaccurate.
Earlier this week, Andrew Marchand speculated that the recent rate hike for ESPN+ was a step towards the network becoming available exclusively as a direct-to-consumer streaming product.
Pitaro says he hasn’t seen enough evidence that ESPN needs to start thinking about completely revolutionizing its approach to reaching an audience.
“I don’t have a crystal ball,” he told Variety Co-Editor-in-Chief Cynthia Littleton during the Variety Sports & Entertainment Breakfast. “What I will tell you is that as I sit here right now, that business is still incredible. We serve the sports fan anyway and at any time. I know there are a lot of people that still want ESPN in that traditional ecosystem.”
He acknowledged that may change. When it does, he says the network will be ready and even outlined a few ideas to make digital presentations of games more interactive for the fan. That doesn’t mean Jimmy Pitaro wants ESPN to abandon fans that like the way they currently receive the network.
“So if and when the time comes that we make ESPN flagship available via direct to consumer, make it available a la carte, where you can just go out and buy only ESPN, when that time comes, we will continue to be present in the traditional ecosystem. If you want to buy it through Comcast or DirecTV, you will be able to.”
