In a bold move to redefine how sports fans consume content, ESPN has announced its new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service, simply branded as ESPN, set to launch in early fall 2025. The service, revealed by ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, will offer fans unprecedented access to ESPN’s vast portfolio of sports programming through an enhanced ESPN App, marking the first time ESPN’s linear networks will be available directly to consumers. With two subscription plans and attractive bundling options with Disney+ and Hulu, ESPN aims to deliver flexibility, choice, and a personalized fan experience.
Two Subscription Plans: Unlimited and Select
The ESPN Unlimited plan, priced at $29.99/month or $299.99/year, provides access to the full suite of ESPN’s offerings. This includes all linear networks—ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes—as well as ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX. Subscribers will enjoy 47,000 live events annually, covering major leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, WNBA, UFC, and college sports, including the College Football Playoff and 40 NCAA championships. The plan also includes iconic studio shows such as SportsCenter, First Take, NFL Live, The Pat McAfee Show, and College GameDay, alongside on-demand content like 30 for 30 films and other ESPN Originals.
For fans seeking a more curated experience, the ESPN Select plan is available for $11.99/month or $119.99/year. This plan includes all content on ESPN+, with over 32,000 live events, exclusive studio shows, replays, and original programming. Existing ESPN+ subscribers will automatically transition to the Select plan, while those with the Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ bundle will receive the corresponding Select bundle.
Disney+ and Hulu Bundling Options
ESPN is sweetening the deal with bundling opportunities. The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited bundle will cost $35.99/month (with ads on Disney+/Hulu) or $44.99/month (ad-free on Disney+/Hulu, with ads in select live ESPN content). A special launch offer prices this bundle at $29.99/month for the first 12 months (with ads). The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select bundle is priced at $16.99/month (with ads) or $26.99/month (ad-free on Disney+/Hulu). These bundles allow seamless access to ESPN content within the Disney+ app, alongside Disney and Hulu’s entertainment offerings.
Enhanced ESPN App: A Personalized Sports Hub
The revamped ESPN App will serve as the central platform for the new service, available on mobile and connected TV devices. At launch, it will introduce new features and personalized experiences for all users, whether they subscribe directly or through traditional pay TV providers. Pitaro emphasized that the app will be “the ultimate sports destination,” designed to cut through the clutter and deliver tailored content to fans.
What’s Next?
Additional details, including the exact launch date, have not been announced. With its robust sports portfolio, innovative app enhancements, and strategic bundling, ESPN Unlimited positions itself as a powerhouse in the competitive streaming landscape, offering fans a one-stop shop for sports entertainment.
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