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Apple's Messages app on iPhone ships with up to 14 built-in iMessage apps, such as location sharing, voice memos, GIFs, Venmo and ESPN, arranged in a default order that often buries frequently used tools at the bottom. Users can manually rearrange this dropdown menu so their most-used apps appear at the top instead of relying on Apple's default layout.
DirecTV rolled out a new Build Your Own Multiview feature this week, letting subscribers watch up to four sports channels simultaneously on one screen. The tool, built into the platform's interface, supports channels like ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network and several conference networks, with users able to add or change channels at any time.
Disney+ will simulcast the Super Bowl on February 14 alongside ABC and ESPN, reaching 55 global markets in both English and Spanish. The streamer will also carry two Monday Night Football games this season, starting October 26 with the Eagles hosting the Cowboys; the second matchup hasn't been announced. Disney said in August that all ad spots for the Super Bowl broadcast have already sold out.
Disney announced that Super Bowl LXI will be available on Disney Plus, simulcast with the ESPN and ABC broadcast featuring Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, and Laura Rutledge. The game will also stream in over 55 international markets including Latin America, South Africa, and Australia. Ahead of the Super Bowl, Disney Plus subscribers will get two Monday Night Football games, starting with Cowboys vs. Eagles on October 26th.
ESPN has begun offering its 4K HDR streaming service on Google TV, following its initial launch on Apple TV last month. However, early reports indicate that users are experiencing problems such as choppy video and HDR not activating properly, despite seeing the 4K HDR badge in the app. The rollout is part of ESPN's broader plan to bring enhanced streaming quality to more platforms this fall, but current performance issues suggest the implementation is still a work in progress.
ESPN has rolled out 4K HDR support in its streaming app on Apple TV and iPhone, covering major live sports including Monday Night Football, NBA, NHL, select college football, US Open tennis, and Super Bowl LXI. Content supporting the format is marked with a new '4K HDR' tag in the app, and ESPN says the upgrade brings sharper detail, color, and motion for viewers with sufficient bandwidth.
Disney has hiked prices across Disney+ and Hulu, with ad-free standalone plans rising 13 percent from $19 to $21.50 per month and ad-supported plans rising from $12 to $12.50. Bundle prices also increased, including the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Select bundle without ads jumping from $29 to $33, while Hulu + Live TV rose by $10 monthly.
Disney is increasing subscription prices for Disney Plus and Hulu starting Wednesday, with premium ad-free plans rising to $21.49 monthly and the combined bundle reaching $22. Ad-supported plans see a smaller increase to $12.49, while the top-tier bundle including ESPN Unlimited stays at $45.
ESPN, set to air its first Super Bowl in 2027, has begun planning ways to use Disney's broad portfolio of characters and franchises to draw in a wider television audience. Preparations reportedly started almost immediately after the conclusion of the 2026 Super Bowl, with executives exploring cross-promotional tie-ins tied to Disney's intellectual property.
At a Fast Company event, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Monday Night Football host Laura Rutledge discussed how ESPN is transforming from a traditional TV network into a personalized, interactive digital platform. The conversation, moderated by Fast Company editor Brendan Vaughan, focused on how streaming, social media, fantasy sports and online betting are reshaping ESPN's business model.
Disney has agreed to pay $50 million to settle Biddle v. The Walt Disney Company, a lawsuit accusing it of using ESPN's leverage to force streaming services into pricier bundled channel packages. The settlement covers anyone who subscribed to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream (including DirecTV Now or AT&T TV Now) between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026, and claims must be filed by Sept. 8. Disney denies wrongdoing, and payout amounts will vary based on subscription length and total number of claims submitted.
Cory Edwards, a Starbucks manager who coaches Little League in Henderson, Nevada, gave his team an unscripted pep talk while trailing 11-2 in the World Series final, telling them to hold their heads high and get tougher under pressure. ESPN's clip of the moment spread widely online, and Edwards later told The New York Times the message was really about character, not the scoreboard.