ESPN is launching its new standalone streaming service later this month. The Disney-owned sports channel has officially announced the sports-focused subscription streaming service’s launch date, bundle pricing, and other details.
ESPN will launch its live sports streaming service on Thursday, August 21, the same day that FOX is debuting its own standalone streaming service which also includes live sports.
The dedicated ESPN streaming service will be priced at $29.99/month, will also offer bundling options with Disney+ and Hulu at launch.
While ESPN has offered a streaming app, this time we’ll see a streaming version of ESPN’s television network that you watch on cable or satellite television.
Designed to give fans more choice and flexibility, ESPN DTC will offer two plans, including an unlimited plan for $29.99/month that gives fans access to all of ESPN’s linear networks – ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes – in addition to ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX, covering 47,000 live events each year, on-demand replays, studio shows, original programming, and more. Bundling opportunities for the ESPN unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu include a special offer at launch for $29.99/month for the first 12 months.
All subscribers to ESPN’s unlimited plan – either through ESPN DTC or a traditional Pay TV provider – will have live and on-demand access to all of ESPN’s leading studio shows – including SportsCenter, Get Up, First Take, NFL Live, The Pat McAfee Show, Pardon the Interruption, College GameDay, NBA Today, Inside the NBA, The Rich Eisen Show, and more – plus a robust, on-demand library featuring 30 for 30 films, ESPN Originals, replays, and more.
In related news, ESPN and the NFL have announced that ESPN is taking control of the NFL Network and certain other media assets of the NFL in exchange for the NFL getting a 10% equity stake in the sports network.
