ESPN's direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service and Fox Corporation's FOX One have officially launched a combined bundle subscription for $39.99 per month, marking a significant collaboration between the two media giants to simplify sports viewing for cord-cutters.
The bundle integrates ESPN's comprehensive sports ecosystem with FOX One's mix of sports, news, and entertainment, allowing subscribers to access both platforms under one roof. It's the first major third-party bundle focused on sports rights holders, reuniting former partners from the abandoned Venu Sports joint venture (which involved Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery). The move addresses consumer frustration with fragmented sports streaming by offering a "one-stop" option for major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
The partnership was announced on August 11, 2025, just days before both individual services launched on August 21, 2025. ESPN's DTC service represents a major evolution from ESPN+, providing full access to its 12 linear networks (e.g., ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) for the first time outside traditional pay-TV. FOX One, Fox's long-awaited wholly-owned streamer, aggregates FOX's broadcast and cable channels, filling a gap after Fox opted out of Venu Sports in early 2025.
The bundle's delayed availability allowed time for integration testing and marketing, with executives describing it as a "crawl/walk/run" approach to future expansions. Initial subscriber uptake for the standalone services has exceeded Fox's internal forecasts, though exact numbers remain undisclosed.
Subscribers will get full access to both services, with content streamed via their respective apps (ESPN App for ESPN content, FOX One App for Fox content). Key highlights:
- Exclusivity Note: The bundle requires ESPN's "Unlimited" tier (full linear channels); it doesn't include the cheaper "Select" plan or bundling with Disney+ and Hulu.
- Add-Ons: FOX One offers a separate bundle with FOX Nation for $24.99/month (or $19.99/month annually).