Disney+ to Debut ‘SC+’: An ESPN ‘SportsCenter’ Spinoff for More Casual Sports Fans

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Disney and ESPN are brainstorming an idea to stimulate interest in sports among their Disney+ U.S. subscribers, who might not typically be die-hard sports enthusiasts.

Starting from March 3rd, ESPN will debut “SC+”, a fresh daily version of SportsCenter, exclusively available on Disney+. This new iteration is a compact and efficient spin-off of the long-running sports highlights program that broadcasts on ESPN. The shows will last for at least 15 minutes but may differ in length.

SC+”, referred to as a speedy recap of notable sports moments each day, primarily revolves around the SportsCenter Top 10 plays, offering unique commentary and analysis from ESPN’s experts and journalists. As stated by Disney, this program caters to a more relaxed, entertainment-oriented audience.

Starting from 9 a.m. Eastern Time every morning, “SC+” will be streamed, with each episode accessible for 24 hours on Disney+ in the U.S. During weekdays, Gary Striewski and Randy Scott (as shown earlier) will host the show, while also continuing their role as anchors for the 7 a.m. ET edition of “SportsCenter” on ESPN. On weekends, Hannah Storm and Jay Harris will take over hosting duties after their “SportsCenter:AM” program on ESPN.

The debut of “SC+” on Disney+ marks a progression in Disney’s plan to incorporate sports programming into their streaming platform’s offerings. This initiative began with the introduction of an ESPN section to Disney+ in December, which showcased a variety of content from ESPN+, including live sports events, talk shows, and original ESPN productions like “30 for 30” documentaries.

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In the interim, the incorporation of “SC+” and selected ESPN content into Disney+ is setting the stage for the streaming platform to function as a stepping stone towards ESPN Flagship, a proposed streaming service set to debut in fall 2025. This service will encompass all programming from ESPN’s linear TV sports channels, along with existing ESPN+ content. By subscribing to both ESPN Flagship and Disney+, users will be granted access to the entire collection of ESPN and ESPN+ content within Disney+, as stated by the company.

Mike Foss, ESPN’s senior VP of studio and entertainment, expressed great pride in revitalizing one of ESPN’s most esteemed and longstanding brands, ‘SportsCenter’, with the vibrancy and innovation available through Disney+. The new version, called ‘SC+’, aims to share compelling sports stories each day in a unique and impactful manner. This innovative style, coupled with the wide reach of Disney+, will appeal not only to dedicated sports enthusiasts but also to those seeking fresh content after finishing their favorite series on Disney+.

Disney+ President Alisa Bowen stated, “For years, ESPN has been a benchmark for top-tier sports broadcasting. Now, Disney+ users can enjoy daily updates on thrilling sports news, highlights, and captivating tales.

Pictured top: Gary Striewski (left), Randy Scott

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2025-02-27 17:19