By Lisa Richwine LOS ANGELES -Walt Disney's ESPN will deliver its full range of sports programming outside of pay TV for the first time starting on Thursday, when the network debuts an app designed to be a hub for live games and personalized news,

Disney's push into sports streaming with new ESPN service and app is expected to drive growth and profitability, reinforced by positive analyst outlook.

ESPN Unlimited is a new and particularly comprehensive sports streaming subscription from ESPN. For context, the more limited plan previously known as ESPN+ has become ESPN Select and continues to cost $11.99/month. Subscribers to the existing Disney+ bundle with ESPN+ will see this change reflected going forward.

Bob Iger, Disney CEO, and Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN chairman, join CNBC's 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss ESPN's new direct-to-consumer platform, how the success of the app will be measured, and much more.

After years of being asked how it would respond to the streaming explosion, ESPN is finally unveiling a new direct-to-consumer app designed to offer its clearest answer yet to that existential question.

Disney Inc. (NYSE: DIS) shares rose more than 2% to $118.97 after the company officially launched its flagship ESPN streaming app, marking a major step into direct-to-consumer sports.

ESPN boss Jimmy Pitaro talks about balancing streaming vs. cable, the rise of sports betting, and diversity in the Trump 2.0 era.

Disney's profit and revenue climbed in its fiscal third quarter based on the strength of the entertainment company's streaming service and domestic theme parks.

World Wrestling Entertainment and the Walt Disney Company-owned ESPN are kick-starting their partnership earlier than expected. On Wednesday, Disney announced that WWE Premium Live Events will debut on all ESPN platforms starting on Sept.