Since three media titans announced a new sports-focused streaming service last month, key details of the project have been shrouded in mystery. How much would it cost? Where would it be based? And who would lead the new company?
Now, some of the particulars are beginning to come into focus.
On Friday, the companies behind the service — Fox, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery — said it would be led by Pete Distad, a former executive at Apple who had been in charge of distribution of the tech giant’s Apple TV+ streaming service. Mr. Distad, 50, will be responsible for strategy, distribution, marketing and sales of the new venture once it is formally established, working out of Los Angeles.
By selecting Mr. Distad, an executive with a mix of tech and media experience, the companies behind the service signaled that the new service needs a leader who understands the old-school economics of cable television and the promise of the rapidly unfurling streaming business. Before he joined Apple, Mr. Distad helped start Hulu, the last major streaming joint venture.
In a statement, Mr. Distad said he was looking forward to pulling together “industry-leading sports content portfolios” from the three companies.
“This is an incredible opportunity to build and grow a differentiated product that will serve passionate sports fans in the U.S. outside of the traditional pay TV bundle,” Mr. Distad said.
While at Apple, Mr. Distad helped fuel the tech giant’s expansion into the realm of live sports. During his tenure, Apple struck deals to stream Major League Soccer matches and Major League Baseball games, joining the growing list of tech companies, such as Amazon, who now offer their customers access to live sports.
In a statement, the companies behind the service called Mr. Distad “an accomplished innovator and leader” with “extensive experience with launching and growing new video services.”
“We are confident he and his team will build an extremely compelling, fan-focused product for our target market,” the companies said.
Benjamin Mullin
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