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Disney's plans for the Super Bowl isn't sitting right with local TV stations
Disney wants Super Bowl LXI, which is being broadcast on ESPN, to be available to watch via multiple platforms and channels. Its local ABC affiliates aren’t too thrilled.
With this being the first Super Bowl to be broadcast by Disney, reports indicate the company plans to air the game on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, NFL Network, Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney XD.
ABC affiliates are reportedly frustrated by Disney’s plan to show Super Bowl LXI across ABC, ESPN, and other Disney platforms
ABC and ESPN will carry the traditional broadcast with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman; ESPN2 has the ManningCast; ESPNU has Pat McAfee’s Field Pass, and NFL Network has the analytics-heavy Playbook. A Star Wars-themed animated version, Star Wars Funday Football, will also air on Disney+, the ESPN app, Disney Channel and Disney XD.
According to a report from CNBC’s Alex Sherman, one station group CEO estimated that local advertising revenue tied to this year’s game could drop 35 percent from last year, while another said:
“Any time you fragment distribution, you’re destroying value for each of the individual platforms,” and added, “there’s no acknowledgment that we’re losing money.”
CNBC estimates ABC could still draw around 80 million viewers, with ESPN and Disney’s other platforms adding another 40 million to 50 million. Affiliates are taking the issue to their affiliate board, and it’s unclear whether they’ll be compensated.
“Making marquee live events available via streaming is a well-established industry practice,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement. “Our ABC affiliates are important partners and we always take that into careful consideration when making these decisions.” Disney also points to Fox and NBC doing the same.
Super Bowl LXI will be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Sunday, February 14, 2027.