ESPN is entering a new era today with the debut of its long-awaited all-in-one streaming service, designed to bring the network’s full slate of sports content directly to viewers without a cable subscription.
The standalone service, branded “ESPN,” will cost $29.99 per month or $299.99 annually. A lower-priced version with a more limited catalog will be available for $11.99 per month. The platform will feature live programming from ESPN, ESPN2, and the SEC Network, alongside studio shows, original documentaries, and access to live WWE events.
ESPN executives say the launch represents a major step in addressing the ongoing shift away from cable and toward direct-to-consumer streaming. Current cable subscribers will be able to log in with their provider credentials for full access, though negotiations are still ongoing with some distributors, including Comcast Xfinity, YouTube TV, Dish Network, Sling TV, and Cox.
The new app is being positioned as more than just a replacement for linear television. It will include “StreamCenter,” a tool allowing viewers to track stats, betting odds, and shopping deals on their phone while watching a game on TV, effectively turning mobile devices into a second screen controller. Another feature, “Verts,” will deliver short-form video highlights in a TikTok-style feed personalized to each user’s interests.
Perhaps the most ambitious new offering is “SportsCenter for You,” an AI-powered feature that delivers customized highlight reels with AI-generated commentary using the voices of SportsCenter anchors Hannah Storm and Gary Striewski.
Bundling options are also part of the rollout. For the first year, Disney will offer a package combining Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN for \$29.99 a month, rising to $35.99 with ads or $49.99 without ads after that period. A bundle with Fox will launch October 2 at $39.99 per month, while a \$39.99 package pairing ESPN with NFL+ (including NFL RedZone) will debut September 3.
Source: ABC