The Rich Eisen Show is heading overseas for the first time. Starting today, the program streams on ESPN on Disney+ in select international markets.
What We Know: According to Sports Business Journal, the show launches in select countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Those markets include the U.K., Ireland, South Africa, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Meanwhile, the move follows Eisen’s return to ESPN more than a year ago after a stint on Roku. Since then, he has also anchored SportsCenter and hosted the podcast This Was SportsCenter: Stories from the Set.
What’s At Stake: With added distribution comes more opportunity for audience. With ESPN’s expanding global reach in sports, it only makes sense to have key daily programming also be part of that outreach.
What Remains Unclear: Disney has not said whether more markets will follow. Additionally, it remains unclear whether international viewers will get the show live or on demand. Finally, ESPN has not detailed how the expansion affects the show’s production or advertising. Also there’s no word on other ESPN programs housed on Disney+ will make the same expanded reach.
What It Means: Ultimately, the move signals Disney’s push to make ESPN a global brand within Disney+. For example, ESPN’s Super Bowl stream will reach more than 55 international markets on Disney+ in February. Plus, Disney+ signed an August licensing deal with all-electric Formula E covering over 100 countries and territories. For Eisen, that strategy hands his show its widest potential audience yet.
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