Verizon Communications Inc has contacted The Walt Disney Company about starting a potential partnership on a new ESPN streaming platform, The Information reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

In May, reports emerged that Disney is planning to launch an ESPN streaming service and the company's CEO Bob Iger stated in July that Disney is potentially looking for a strategic partner to help ESPN's transition from a sports network into a streaming platform.

Disney currently holds an 80% stake in ESPN, while the remaining 20% is owned by Hearst Communications, Inc.