ESPN has unveiled its direct-to-consumer streaming service, named “ESPN,” with Disney-owned ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro calling it a move to “redefine our business.”
Announced on Tuesday, the service rebrands the previously codenamed “Flagship” project, leveraging the iconic four-letter brand. “There’s real power in our four letters,” Pitaro said at a press event.
The service, a revamped ESPN app, offers two tiers. An unlimited package, including all ESPN networks, costs $29.99 monthly standalone or $35.99 when bundled with ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu, with a promotional first-year bundle price of $29.99. A select version, mirroring ESPN+ content, is priced at $11.99 monthly. ESPN’s mantra is “all of ESPN, all in one place,” boasting over 47,000 annual live events. Enhanced features include ESPN Bet integration, personalized team preferences, tailored SportsCenter editions, merchandise, and live stats.
Set to launch around the 2025 pro and college football seasons, with a specific date to be confirmed this summer, the service targets the 60 million-plus U.S. households without ESPN access. “We are platform-agnostic,” Pitaro said, addressing cord-cutting trends and linear TV subscriber declines.
ESPN+ will continue as a separate offering due to league contract obligations, with its subscribers automatically transitioned to the select DTC tier. Linear ESPN subscribers can access all DTC features via authentication. “We’ll judge success by total subscribers across platforms and price points,” Pitaro emphasized.
The initiative, a priority for Disney, reflects ESPN’s innovation legacy, aiming to capture a broad audience in a shifting media landscape.
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