ESPN is rolling out a new streaming service: How it will impact ESPN+ users
BRISTOL, Conn. (WGHP) — ESPN has, for several years, offered its streaming service ESPN+. That is set to change later this year as the sports outlet gears up to launch its long-anticipated direct-to-customer streaming service.
The new streaming service, which will be called "ESPN," will let customers cut the cord and access ESPN programming directly.
ESPN+ customers will have access to "thousands of live events" from the NFL, NHL, MLB, UFC, Top Ranking Boxing, the PGA Tour, Grand Slam tennis, college sports, and international soccer. However, not every event in these sports is viewable on ESPN+, while others are subject to regional blackouts or require users to connect to a TV provider.
The latter is also required to watch ESPN network programming, like ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN News.
The forthcoming ESPN streaming service will change that — sort of.
ESPN will have two plans, an unlimited package and a select option.
The unlimited package will grant access to all of ESPN's networks, as well as ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, SEC Network+, and ACC Network Extra. It will cover 47,000 live events as well as studio shows and original programming, ESPN said in a Tuesday press release.
The select option will have a more limited slate: all the content currently available on ESPN+, in addition to 32,000 live sports events a year, "a robust library of exclusive studio shows," replays on-demand, and original ESPN content.
The unlimited package will cost $29.99 a month or $300 for a full-year subscription. It can be combined with Disney+ and Hulu for $35.99 a month (with ads) or $44.99 a month (without ads on Disney+ and Hulu, except select live events).
The select plan will cost $11.99 a month or $119.99 annually, the same rate as ESPN+. A bundle with all three of the Disney family streaming services — Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN — will cost $16.99 a month (with ads) or $26.99 a month without ads on Disney+ and Hulu, except select live events).
If you currently have ESPN+, you will be grandfathered into the select plan. If you have the ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu bundle, you will maintain those services with the select option.
The service is expected to launch in September with an official release date anticipated this summer.
Also on Tuesday, ESPN promised enhancements to its app for mobile devices, including using artificial intelligence to create a personalized “SportsCenter” for consumers that concentrates on news and highlights for their favorite teams, sports and athletes.
September will represent a big moment for ESPN on par with the cable sports network's launch in 1979, the introduction of ESPN2 in 1993 and launch of the ESPN.com website two years later, said Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN chairman.
It's also a pivotal development in the accelerating industry shift from television to streaming. ESPN and its sister channels will remain available on cable and satellite systems.
After kicking around several ideas for what to call the service, which was known informally as “Flagship” during the developmental stages, Pitaro said executives decided to keep it simple. “There's power in our name and there's trust in our name,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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