Summary
- ESPN will launch a standalone all-access streaming service for $29.99/month, providing live and on-demand sports.
- ESPN subscribers can bundle the new service with Disney Plus and Hulu for a discounted rate.
- The new ESPN app, coming this fall, will offer new features and personalized experiences for fans accessing all ESPN content.
In case you needed another streaming service, ESPN revealed more information today about its upcoming standalone all-access sports streaming platform. It’s simply called ESPN, and it’ll cost sports fans $29.99 per month.
Later this fall, sports fans will have another way to access sports without traditional cable. The new ESPN service will not require a cable or satellite login, yet will include ESPN’s full complement of live and on-demand sports. Until now, this wasn’t much of an option aside from the limited content on ESPN+, so this is good news for those who love sports.
Additionally, ESPN announced that those with other bundles from its parent company, like Disney Plus and Hulu, can bundle the all-new ESPN at a discounted rate. For example, you can get ESPN, Disney Plus (with ads) and Hulu for $35.99 per month. And for a limited time, that bundle will drop to $29.99 whenever ESPN arrives.
ESPN didn’t share an exact date for when its new all-access sports subscription service will arrive. Instead, the announcement mentioned “this fall” and that it’ll arrive in time for the 2025-2026 NFL and NCAA Football season. As someone who regularly uses ESPN+, I’m hopeful that a redesigned app can deliver a better experience. The company promises an enhanced ESPN app that introduces new features, personalized fan-friendly experiences, and more. I’ll believe it when I see it.
“We are providing everything ESPN has to offer directly to fans and all in one place,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said. For those unaware, ESPN’s coverage includes the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, PGA Tour, college sports, and international soccer leagues. It also carries MMA, boxing, tennis, and various other sports.
Interestingly enough, the company will continue offering ESPN+, which delivers limited programming and select sports. It’ll be available alongside the new ESPN service, only as a more affordable variant with less content. That’s a bit confusing, but it is what it is. ESPN+ will remain $11.99 per month.
For what it’s worth, the company tried to launch a huge Venu sports service in 2024, which eventually got canceled. I hope this new venture will deliver at least some of Venu’s promises.
Thankfully, those who already have the ESPN channel through a traditional cable or satellite provider will be able to access this new app. It’ll accept legacy logins and work at no extra cost—as it should. If everything goes according to plan, this could join our list of the best streaming service for live sports. Well, as long as it works well without endless buffering like the plus variant currently does. We’ll report back in the fall when it debuts.
Source: ESPN
