ESPN programming is expanding to over 50 countries via Disney+. ESPN shows will become available across Europe and Asia-Pacific on Disney+, bringing the total number of international markets to around 100.

The initial offering will vary by market but will grow to include thousands of live events over the next year, including the NBA, NHL, and college sports. Disney+ subscribers will also have access to ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary collection, a library of films, and select studio shows, including ESPN FC, ESPN’s global football news and information program. In Europe, Disney said the expansion “builds upon a growing portfolio of world-class sports content on Disney+.”

“Sports and live events are an essential part of our Disney+ content library, and we’re excited to build on the success we’ve already had with sports fans as we bring more of ESPN to Disney+ subscribers in Europe and APAC,” said Alisa Bowen, President of Disney+. “This launch adds to our growing portfolio of local sports rights around the world.”

“This expansion marks an exciting next step for ESPN and Disney+ in our commitment to sports fans,” said Freddy Rolón, Head of Global Sports & Talent Office at ESPN. “ESPN has a longstanding tradition of delivering world-class content to sports fans, and continued growth on Disney+ allows us to extend our reach and provide greater access and deeper connections with fans everywhere.”

In the Nordics, Disney+ holds sports rights such as the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Copa del Rey, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, and the DFB-Pokal.

Netflix raised its prices in Italy in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2024. The Court of Rome has ruled that these repeated increases violated Italian consumer law, as the company was able to change prices unilaterally without clearly stating the reasons in its contracts. The ruling is linked to EU rules intended to protect consumers against unfair contract terms.

Subscribers on Netflix’s most expensive plan, Premium, could be entitled to refunds of up to EUR 500. Those on lower-tier plans could receive around EUR 250.

“If Netflix does not immediately lower prices and compensate customers, we will launch a class action lawsuit to guarantee all users a refund of what they have wrongly paid,” said Alessandro Mostaccio, President of Movimento Consumatori, in a press release.

Netflix defended the price increases, describing them as transparent and compliant with Italian law.

“We will appeal the decision. At Netflix, our subscribers come first. We take consumer rights very seriously, and we believe that our terms and conditions have always been in line with Italian rules and practices,” the company said in a statement on Friday.

It is not yet clear how the refunds will be processed. As Netflix will file an appeal, the process is likely to be prolonged.

The ruling in Italy is not entirely unique. In Germany, courts have already rejected several of Netflix’s price increases, and in Poland, the country’s consumer authority has challenged similar changes. Since digital subscriptions are also covered by common EU rules, the issue could become relevant in more markets, such as the Nordics, in the future.

Viaplay is expanding its Danish sports coverage with the launch of viaplaysportnews.dk, a new website featuring news, highlights, analysis, and opinion under the Viaplay Sport News brand.

“This is the site where Danish sports fans get news and highlights combined with analysis and opinions from Denmark’s leading sports voices. It is sharp, direct, and opinionated,” said Rune Knudsen, Head of Sports at Viaplay Denmark.

Viaplay is increasing its weekly editorial staffing on the new site by 60 percent compared to the group’s previous sports news site, TV3sport.dk.

With the new site, Viaplay is now competing with players such as Ekstra Bladet, which has established a strong position in the sports news market through acquisitions of the sports sites Bold, Feltet, and Holdet, as well as the football podcast company Mediano.

“Viaplay is and must be a leader in sports content in Denmark – across rights, news, and digital offerings. Viaplaysportnews.dk is another addition to our sports portfolio, which, alongside our world-class sports rights, also includes the sports news channel Viaplay Sport News and the live score app Viascore with instant highlights,” said Lars Bo Jeppesen, CEO of Viaplay Denmark.

The site launched yesterday and is positioned as an extension of the Viaplay Sport News channel, which launched in Denmark in August 2024.

Medieutgifterna planar ut – fler väljer ljud och video framför text – Dagens Media

Sweden: Media spend stabilises – Advanced Television

US Platforms Command 75% of Europe’s Streaming Market – Señal News

Paramounts köp av Warner – så påverkas svenska konsumenter – Dagens Nyheter

Spotify har føjet en million abonnenter til det svenske lydbogsmarked – Mediawatch

Swedish Video Spending Hits Record High as Streaming Drives Market Reshaping – Señal News

Netflix–Warner Bros deal could cement Nordic streaming dominance – Broadband TV News

Spotifys nya drag: ”Tror på något annat” –SvD

Nya poddtrenden: Går över till video – ”Roligare” – Expressen

Traditional TV viewing in Sweden falls to less than a third of overall watch time – C21 Media