ESPN to Join Disney+ in South Africa, Bringing Sports Fans More Choice

From October 2025, South African Disney+ subscribers will gain access to ESPN’s pan-African TV channels at no extra cost, a move that Disney executives say will give fans more flexibility in how they watch live sport. Speaking ahead of the announcement, Christine Service, GM DTC and Networks and Country Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, Disney EMEA, and Kyle de Klerk, Director: Sports, The Walt Disney Company Africa, emphasised that the integration is not about replacing existing models but about expanding access.“This is just another means of distribution and getting access to the amazing content that’s already on our linear TV channels,” Service explained. “We have multiple affiliate partners across Africa, with MultiChoice being critical, and adding Disney+ simply gives audiences another way to watch.”

South Africa as a Strategic Launchpad

As Africa’s largest and most developed sports market, South Africa is at the centre of this rollout. While Disney declined to share exact subscriber numbers, Service said engagement on Disney+ in South Africa has been “phenomenal” since launch, and the addition of ESPN is expected to both attract new sports fans and keep existing subscribers engaged.

The executives emphasised that this model differs from ESPN+ in the U.S. Rather than a standalone service, the African version utilises ESPN’s two established 24-hour channels, which have been available on the continent for several years.

Content Slate and Local Relevance

De Klerk highlighted that ESPN Africa already delivers a comprehensive lineup, from American staples like the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NCAA sports to European football, including the EFL, Eredivisie, Scottish Premiership, DFB-Pokal, NWSL, Women’s UEFA Champions League, Turkish Super Lig, and Saudi Pro League.

While there are currently no immediate plans to add domestic South African sports, the network sees strong African connections through global leagues. “If you look at the Saudi Pro League, you’ve got South Africa’s Mohau Nkota, Sadio Mané from Senegal, and so many African stars,” De Klerk shared. “The NBA and NFL are also full of African-born and second-generation players. We’ll continue to spotlight those stories for African audiences.”

Competing or Complementary?

When asked if this move indicates direct competition with South Africa’s pay-TV giant MultiChoice, which was recently acquired by French media giant Canal+, a deal that gives Canal+ 48% ownership and effective control, Service emphasised that the strategy is intended to be complementary. “Disney+ is distributed through MultiChoice as well,” she said. “For us, it’s about providing as many different ways as possible for fans to access our content; whether that’s via set-top boxes, smart TVs, iPads, or phones.”

This multi-platform approach is particularly significant in South Africa, where the market is mobile-first. Disney is also running special promotions, including discounted mobile and premium subscription tiers, to encourage uptake.

Building Community Around Sport

Beyond screen access, Disney and ESPN are leaning into fan engagement on the ground. The company has already supported activations across the continent, which they hope will continue driving localised experiences that tie into the global sports brands on their platform.

What to Expect

South African fans can look forward to some of the world’s biggest sporting moments on ESPN via Disney+ in the coming months. Exclusive events include:

  • MLB World Series (October 2025)

  • NBA Christmas Day Games

  • Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Weekend (February 2026)

  • European domestic and Saudi league finals (April–May 2026)

“These marquee events have huge global fandoms, and ESPN is uniquely positioned to bring them to African audiences,” De Klerk said.

While Disney has no immediate announcements on further African market rollouts, Service confirmed that expanding Disney+’s global footprint remains a priority. For now, South Africa serves as a crucial test case, both for deepening sports streaming adoption in Africa’s largest market and for showcasing how international content can be localised through access, engagement, and fan culture.