On the corporate’s quarterly earnings name as we speak, Disney CEO Bob Iger stated the previously-announced standalone ESPN streaming service will arrive by the autumn of 2025. The corporate had already tipped the service, which Iger defined will supply “the full suite” of ESPN networks as a streaming possibility, however a common launch date or any further particulars hadn’t been revealed.
Iger stated that the standalone ESPN providing will serve up the dwell video games and studio programming that is at present accessible on a number of cable channels. What’s extra, the service will present entry to ESPN Guess and fantasy sports activities alongside detailed stats and procuring. After all, all of that may also embody “robust personalization,” based on Iger.
These new particulars come a day after Disney introduced it might staff up with Fox and Warner Brothers Discovery on a mixed sports activities streaming service this fall. The yet-to-be-named possibility will embody video games from NFL, MLB, NHL and the NBA through channels together with ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV and ESPN. There is not any phrase on pricing but, however subscribers will be capable of bundle it with their present Disney+, Hulu, and Max subscriptions. Which means you will truly be capable of stream ESPN networks with out a cable or different dwell TV subscription earlier than Disney’s personal standalone service launches. Nonetheless, the combo effort is bound to be costlier because it mashes up all of these further channels from Fox and Warner Brothers Discovery.
Disney already provides ESPN+ as a substitute for cable. The service makes dwell video games accessible for streaming, however it does not present entry to motion because it airs on ESPN networks. For that cause ESPN+ has been complement to the cable channels, however Disney hasn’t but stated how its companies will exist after fall of subsequent 12 months.
Standalone ESPN may also be accessible on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, similar to the corporate has executed with Hulu. No phrase on pricing for the brand new iteration of ESPN but both, however there’s additionally loads of time for Disney to hype the service between now and fall 2025. Iger did say that the the value “would be more attractive” than the standard cable bundle.