Disney has finally provided more details on its upcoming relaunch of the ESPN Streaming Service. This is set to be a standalone service, that will include everything that is currently on ESPN’s linear channels that you find on cable.
Disney says that the ESPN streaming service will cost $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year. While that price stings, it’s important to remember how expensive sports are to broadcast. But, it gets better. Disney will let you bundle ESPN, Disney Plus, and Hulu all with ads, for $35.99 per month. Essentially making Disney Plus and Hulu just $6 combined. That’s a really good deal for all three. And honestly, only a few bucks more than the current bundle with ESPN Plus.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro has said that the ESPN streamer would include all of the networks live games, programming on ESPN cable channels (including ESPN2, SEC Network, ESPN on ABC, etc), along with its fantasy products, new betting tie-ins, studio programming, documentaries, and much more.
How does this differ from ESPN Plus?
So the big question now is, how would this differ from ESPN Plus? Well, ESPN Plus, as it stands today, does not have anywhere near as much streaming sports content as ESPN itself does. It’s almost treated like another ESPN network. While this new streaming service would include all of ESPN’s content on a single platform.
ESPN Plus is going to remain, however. It will remain as a less expensive option, sort of functioning as an entry tier for ESPN.
The ESPN app will be updated later this year, as a gateway to all of ESPN’s content. The company also noted that Pay TV subscribers that get ESPN with their plan, will be able to authenticate themselves and watch ESPN on the go. This means if you get ESPN from Xfinity, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, etc., you can login via those platforms and get access.
ESPN Plus will also be included in the ESPN subscription.
