ESPN to Launch Flagship Streaming Service on August 21, Starting at $29.99/month

ESPN is launching its new flagship streaming service on August 21, costing $29.99/month or $35.99/month when bundled with Disney+ and Hulu. The service includes all ESPN live games, programming from other networks, fantasy products, betting tie-ins, and documentaries. ESPN also inked a deal with WWE for live event rights and reached a deal with the NFL for a 10% equity stake and acquisition of the NFL Network.

ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is set to launch its new flagship streaming service on August 21, 2025. The service, priced at $29.99 per month, will offer fans access to all of ESPN's linear networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, and ESPN Deportes, as well as ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX. This comprehensive package will cover over 47,000 live events annually, on-demand replays, studio shows, original programming, and more [1].

The launch coincides with the start of major sports seasons, including college football, NFL, U.S. Open tennis, international soccer, women’s college soccer, volleyball, field hockey, and the WNBA playoffs, among others. This timing is strategically chosen to capitalize on the high demand for live sports programming [1].

ESPN's enhanced ESPN App will introduce a more personalized viewing experience, featuring updated multiview options, integrated game stats, betting information, fantasy sports, and commerce. The app will also include a personalized SC For You, offering tailored content to each user [1].

For bundling options, ESPN is offering a special deal at launch for $29.99 per month for the first 12 months when bundled with Disney+ and Hulu. Additionally, a standalone ESPN+ service will be available for $11.99 per month, providing access to over 32,000 live events annually [1].

ESPN has also secured exclusive rights to all WWE events, including WrestleMania, starting from 2026 in the U.S. Furthermore, ESPN has reached a deal with the NFL, acquiring a 10% equity stake in the NFL Network and obtaining additional rights for NFL content and features on its DTC service and Disney+ [2][3].

The new ESPN streaming service aims to provide a seamless and personalized sports viewing experience, combining live events, on-demand content, and interactive features. This move is expected to enhance ESPN's market position and drive revenue growth, particularly in the streaming market [4].

References:
[1] https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/espn-streaming-service-launch-date-pricing-1236480388/
[2] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4479568-disneys-espn-to-launch-dtc-streaming-service-on-august-21
[3] https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/walt-disneys-espn-launch-new-streaming-service-august-21-2025-08-06/
[4] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/walt-disneys-espn-launch-new-streaming-service-august-21-5280341