ESPN is launching its long-awaited standalone streaming service later this month. The sports-focused subscription video service officially has a launch date, bundle pricing, and other details confirmed.
ESPN will launch its live sports streaming service on Thursday, August 21. That happens to be the same day that FOX is debuting its own standalone streaming service which includes live sports as well.
The dedicated ESPN streaming service will be priced at $29.99/month, as previously announced, and the Disney-owned channel will include bundle options with Disney+ and Hulu at launch.
What makes this version of ESPN’s subscription service different than previous efforts? For starters, it’s a streaming version of ESPN’s full linear network. In other words, this is the version of ESPN that you see on TV.
More details from today’s announcement below:
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 other sports news, ESPN and the NFL have been doing some significant deal-making behind the scenes ahead of the start of football season in America. The latest development comes in the form of NFL taking a 10% stake in ESPN while ESPN expands the number of NFL games it airs.