Disney to create live sports, entertainment shows for Twitter

Walt Disney Co will create live sports, news and entertainment programming specifically for Twitter Inc’s social network, a move to attract online viewers and advertising revenue through digital video.Comcast Corp networks including NBC and MSNBC, Viacom Inc’s Comedy Central, MTV and BET, and others also are developing content for the social network, according to a statement on Monday from Twitter announcing more than 30 deals for live and original programming.Disney’s ESPN network plans a Twitter version of its flagship “SportsCenter” TV show with breaking news and analysis, the statement said. Twitter also will live stream ESPN’s “Fantasy Focus Live” podcast.The deals will expand Twitter’s streaming video offerings and help Disney and others reach audiences online while traditional television viewing wanes. Video views on Twitter have doubled in the past year, the company said.