ESPN’s 2025 Streaming Service to Join Disney+

Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that ESPN’s new standalone streaming service, slated for a 2025 launch, will be accessible through Disney+ for subscribers interested in bundling their subscriptions. The service, initially revealed last May, will offer fantasy sports, e-commerce, and more.

Iger discussed the new service at Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, likening its integration to that of Disney+ and Hulu, which now allow cross-platform viewing without switching apps (Disney owns both services). Unlike the joint sports streaming service ESPN, FOX, and Warner Bros. Discover plan to launch this year, the new service will grant subscribers live access to multiple ESPN network feeds, including major rights deals with the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college sports championships.

This new offering aims to provide cord-cutters with a comprehensive lineup akin to traditional cable packages, surpassing what is currently offered on ESPN+. Interactive features are also expected, such as access to sports betting and fantasy sports data. The Athletic reported last month that ESPN plans to charge between $25 and $30 per month for the service.

With 71 million current ESPN-paying households (down from 100 million in 2011), the network’s proposed deal with the NFL could see the league becoming an equity partner. This potential agreement might lead to ESPN acquiring rights to more football games, in addition to ongoing talks with the NBA for basketball game rights renewal.

The new ESPN streaming service reflects efforts by traditional cable networks to retain viewers amid cord-cutting trends. Despite the cost savings associated with canceling cable, consumers may not save much, if at all, due to the growing number of subscription services they use. Cable-only channels like HBO (Max), Showtime, Cinemax, and Hallmark have also launched their own streaming services in response to these trends.