ESPN and Disney Entertainment have acquired Playback, the former sports watch-along platform that shut down last year. Playback was known for enabling live game viewing with online communities, with partnerships including the NBA and MLB, as well as attracting creators like Gilbert Arenas and Tony Reali.
The acquisition brings Playback’s team and technology into Disney Entertainment + ESPN’s product and technology division, where they will contribute to the development of interactive sports media and potential alternative broadcasts leveraging content creators. While Disney has not officially announced the deal, the move highlights the company’s focus on integrating live digital video and user-generated content to compete with platforms like YouTube and TikTok.