ESPN unveiled its direct-to-consumer streaming service on Tuesday, a move that Disney CEO Bob Iger previously hailed as the biggest move for the network in nearly four decades.
With the streaming service labeled “ESPN,” the network announced that all of its programming will be offered to consumers for $29.99 per month without the requirement of a cable or streaming subscription. It also will offer a package of $11.99 per month as a select option.
The streaming service is expected to debut in the fall.
“It’s going to redefine our business, ” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said.
For the first 12 months, ESPN said it will bundle the full platform with Disney-plus and Hulu for $29.99. The three entities will cost $35.99 after that, per ESPN.
“We are providing everything ESPN has to offer directly to fans and all in one place,” Pitaro said.
“As we thought about the name, we kept returning to the fact that, across every generation, ESPN is the most trusted, loved and recognized name in sports, and that we should keep it simple and double down on the power of ESPN. Our straightforward approach to name and pricing will help fans cut through the clutter, and provide them compelling options to access all our content within the enhanced ESPN App. It will be the ultimate sports destination for personalized experiences and features, and, on top of that, fans will be able to choose to bundle ESPN with the industry-leading Disney-plus and Hulu streaming services.”
Iger said last week at the CAA World Congress of Sports that ESPN’s direct-to-consumer offering “might be the biggest move since getting the full season of the NFL.”
–Field Level Media