ESPN is considering selling online access to live Major League Soccer games to consumers without pay TV subscriptions, an experiment that could help the sports network find ways to generate revenue outside the traditional pay television system. Media companies, including ESPN parent Walt Disney Co , are looking to tap the potential of the growing Internet-based business that Netflix Inc and other companies have pioneered, while at the same time preserving the relationships they have with pay TV operators.Comcast Corp, Dish Network Corp and other pay television operators provide the majority of the No. 1 sports network's revenue through fees they pay to carry ESPN's cable channels and the Watch ESPN app.ESPN President and Co-Chairman of Disney Media Networks, John Skipper emphasized that the network is committed to its current business model, which requires a pay TV subscription for access to the ESPN cable channels and its Watch ESPN app, but he also said there may be other ways to add revenue."We've just got to think about other business models," Skipper said last week at an event in Bristol, Connecticut, where ESPN is headquartered. "We're not far along on any them, but we do think about how we might capture more money direct from consumers."
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries, is a diversified worldwide entertainment company. Shares of DIS traded higher by 1.18% or $0.97/share to $83.32. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $60.41 and as high as $83.65. On average, 6753910 shares of DIS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 4580584.
DISH Network Corporation is a pay-television (TV) provider, with approximately 13. Shares of DISH traded higher by 3.31% or $1.92/share to $59.87. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $37.30 and as high as $64.52. On average, 3085340 shares of DISH exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 4228599.
Netflix, Inc. is an Internet television network with more than 33 million members in over 40 countries. Shares of NFLX traded higher by 2.69% or $10.55/share to $402.35. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $205.75 and as high as $458.00. On average, 3430340 shares of NFLX exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 3162943.
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