Overview
- ESPN released the 'Toy Story 5.5' commercial Wednesday and said the spot will premiere during Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
- The ad animates ESPN on‑air personalities and several NFL figures as Toy Story–style action figures and includes cameo appearances by Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and ESPN mascot App‑E.
- This installment is the third phase of the network’s yearlong 'We’re Going' or 'Year of the Super Bowl' campaign, following spots that ran after this year’s Super Bowl and an April draft‑timed ad.
- The spot is an explicit example of Disney corporate synergy: ESPN, owned by The Walt Disney Company, is using Pixar IP to cross‑promote Toy Story 5 while building attention for Super Bowl LXI.
- Beyond TV spots, ESPN is staging multi‑platform activations and fan experiences tied to the campaign, a strategy meant to raise audience engagement and promote programming leading into the February 2027 game.