Disney+ Launches ESPN Across Australia and New Zealand With Nick Kyrgios-Fronted Campaign

ESPN has launched on Disney+ across Australia and New Zealand today, bringing blockbuster matchups and more than 10,000 hours of ESPN’s live sports action to the platform.

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios – also a Boston Celtics and NBA mega fan – helms a full-scale marketing campaign across all platforms to launch ESPN on Disney+ and encourage subscribers to ‘Turn It On’.

The launch comes just days before Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max enters the Australian market on Monday March 31, following the release of its ‘All Killer, No Filler’ campaign via Special yesterday.

ESPN on Disney+ is now streaming and included for all Australian and New Zealand subscribers -- both Disney+ Premium and Disney+ Standard -- offering a major sports expansion just as Max positions itself as a curated escape from the overwhelming content overload.

As competition in the AUNZ streaming landscape intensifies, Disney+ is reinforcing its seven content hubs (Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Star, and now ESPN), while Max is preparing to challenge rivals with HBO Originals, Discovery, and the DC Universe, featuring titles like ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Barbie’, and ‘House of the Dragon’.

The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand senior vice president and managing director, and head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, said, “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.”

The first week of content on the platform will include back-to-back live NBA double headers headlined by Stephen Curry and LeBron James, and the beginning of the Major League Baseball season.

The NCAA Basketball Championship’s ‘March Madness’ will also be entering its final stages from March 28, while Australian UFC championship contender Steven Erceg will battle former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Fight Night live from Mexico City on March 30.

The new ESPN hub on Disney+ includes live ESPN and ESPN2 channels, fan-favourite studio shows such as SportsCenter, on-demand replays, and original programming, including ESPN’s award-winning library of 30 for 30 films.

In addition to the ESPN offering on Disney+, ESPN is available via Foxtel, Kayo Sport, Fetch TV, and Sky NZ.