Under project ‘Flagship,’ ESPN preparing to move toward streaming service, per report

ESPN is reportedly preparing to dramatically change how fans consume live sports.

Click here to read the story at usatoday.com.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is consumer behavior?
2. Why is it important for a sports and entertainment company like ESPN to understand consumer behavior?
3. According to information from this news story, what is project ‘Flagship’ and what might it mean for ESPN if the reports are legitimate?
4. Why would ESPN move toward a streaming service?
5. How might studying consumer behavior have influenced ESPN’s decision to shift its programming to streaming?
6. Why would a company like Apple pay for streaming rights to a league like MLS?
7. Can you think of any other examples of a streaming company investing in rights to stream a professional sports league?
8. What is cord cutting?
9. Why are streaming services such a popular industry trend among broadcast companies and sports leagues?
10. What is a target market?
11. How might cord cutters represent a target market?
12. Why might ESPN be interested in targeting cord cutters?
13. Do you think ESPN is at risk of alienating a segment of customer base with the launch of a dedicated streaming service like project ‘Flagship’? Why or why not?