ESPN Unveils Name and Pricing for New Flagship Streaming Service

After months of speculation, ESPN has officially announced the name and launch details of its long-awaited standalone streaming platform. Simply branded “ESPN,” the new service is set to debut in the fall, marking a significant shift in the Disney-owned network’s approach to digital sports broadcasting.

“We kept coming back to our four letters – ESPN,” said network chairman James Pitaro during a press briefing on Tuesday. “There’s power in our name, and there’s trust in our name.”

The direct-to-consumer platform will offer two subscription tiers. The premium tier, priced at $29.99 per month, or $45.99 when bundled with Disney+ and Hulu, will include access to the full suite of ESPN channels – including ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, and college sports networks – as well as over 47,000 live events and studio shows annually, according to Roz Durant, executive vice president of programming and acquisitions.

A more limited “select” tier will be available for $11.99 per month, offering content already available via ESPN+, the company’s existing streaming service.

The launch comes as Disney navigates a rapidly changing media landscape, where traditional cable viewership continues to decline in favor of digital platforms. Live sports, however, remain one of the few consistent drivers of mass viewership, and Disney is leaning into that strength.

CEO Bob Iger previously described the upcoming service as an “app-based” experience designed to be intuitive and immersive for sports fans. To ease the transition, existing linear ESPN subscribers will gain automatic access to the new streamer when it launches.

The timing of the announcement is notable, following the recent collapse of Venu Sports – a proposed joint streaming venture between Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox. With that project shelved, Disney appears to be betting heavily on going solo in the streaming sports arena.

Financially, ESPN continues to play a major role in Disney’s portfolio. In the most recent quarter, ESPN posted $4.53 billion in revenue, up 5% year-on-year. However, operating income dipped 16%, a change attributed to rising production costs tied to expanded NFL and college football coverage – investments that also boosted ad revenue by nearly 30%.

With the launch of its flagship service, ESPN aims to maintain its dominance in live sports while adapting to the demands of a digital-first audience.