The PlayStation Vue service has become the main competitor to the live cable channel streaming service Sling TV. These streaming services give cord cutters contract-free options to stream many popular cable channels online without a cable subscription.

Yet the PlayStation Vue was not always that successful

The PlayStation Vue started off as a regional streaming service with local channels for the first year, and it struggled. Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney told DigitalTrends, after ESPN was added Playstation Vue saw significant growth in subscribers.

This lines up with other research that shows most cord cutters are willing to pay for access to live events and sports. For most shows many cord cutters seem willing to wait a day or longer to watch the show, but when it comes to news, sports, weather, and even awards shows they want it live and will pay for it.

When Iger was asked about the future of ESPN now with Hulus new streaming service he replied, will keep legacy distributors more honest. Disney who owns ESPN also owns a share of Hulu and seems set on using this new streaming service as a bargaining tool in future negotiations.

When asked about the future of ESPN on other networks Iger said, In the United States today, you cant launch a new multichannel bundle successfully without ESPN.

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