Pete Distad, Former Apple, Hulu Exec, Named CEO of New ESPN, FOX, WBD Streaming JV
Distad previously oversaw launch of Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass
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Pete Distad, a former executive at Apple and Hulu, has been named the first CEO of the new streaming joint venture from ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Pete Distad has been named CEO of the new sports streaming service – a joint venture formed by ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery. (Photo: Ben Hider / PictureGroup)
According to an official announcement on Friday, Distad will assume oversight of all aspects of the joint venture, including overall strategy, distribution, marketing, sales and more.
“This is an incredible opportunity to build and grow a differentiated product that will serve passionate sports fans in the US outside of the traditional pay TV bundle,” Distad said. “I’m excited to be able to pull together the industry-leading sports content portfolios from these three companies to deliver a new best-in-class service.”
ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery filed this joint statement: “Pete is an accomplished innovator and leader who has extensive experience with launching and growing new video services. We are confident he and his team will build an extremely compelling, fan-focused product for our target market.”
Distad most recently led at Apple from 2013-2023, where he was responsible for the business, operations and global distribution for Video, Sports and Apple TV+. While there, he launched the new Apple TV in 2015, and later led teams that launched and scaled the Apple TV app, Apple TV+, and MLS Season Pass.
At Hulu, he served as SVP of Marketing and Distribution. While he was there from 2007-2013, he was part of the original Hulu launch team, overseeing customer acquisition and retention, distribution and marketing.
Upon establishment of the JV, Distad will report to its board of directors, which will include representatives selected by each of the three companies. He will be based in Los Angeles, which is also where the to-be-established offices of the joint venture will be.
