• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, September 19, 2023

Disney — which will reportedly miss its five-year Disney+ subscription target by tens of millions — has struck another deal that provides access to millions of potential new customers through a partner.

Through the Vizio smart TV owners can now sign up for the free ESPN app or subscribe to ESPN+ and the Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+) directly through their sets, without having to go through a separate program like Roku or Fire TV.

The announcement comes on the heels of the groundbreaking Disney-Charter carriage distribution deal signed last week, under which Charter Spectrum TV Select cable subscribers will get no-additional-cost access to the Disney+ ad-supported streaming tier, and Charter will promote paid subs to the Disney bundle and the separate streamers to all of its customers – including its broadband-only customer base.

The ESPN app is now accessible from the apps catalog on the Vizio home screen and provides access to sign up for the ESPN+ sports streaming platform at the standard rate of $9.99 per month.

Customers with a cable package or video internet provider can also use the app to livestream ESPN’s networks, including ESPN2 and ESPN3.

The ESPN app is also featured on Vizio’s custom-curated Football Kickoff collection for the 2023 pro and college season.