ESPN Streaming Service Release Date Announced
Disney has announced details on its brand new direct-to-consumer version of ESPN, which will launch in the United States on Thursday, 21st August 2025, bringing the full suite of ESPN networks and services – within an enhanced ESPN App with new, personalised features and functionality – directly to fans.
Timed for a marquee stretch of live sports programming across ESPN platforms, the launch of ESPN DTC coincides with the start of the college football and NFL seasons, US Open tennis, international soccer, women’s college soccer, volleyball, field hockey, and more – with the start of the WNBA playoffs, PLL playoffs, and NBA and NHL seasons, as well as UFC and WWE events just around the corner.
Designed to give fans more choice and flexibility, ESPN DTC will offer two plans, including an unlimited plan for $29.99/month that gives fans access to all of ESPN’s linear networks – ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes – in addition to ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX, covering 47,000 live events each year, on-demand replays, studio shows, original programming, and more. Bundling opportunities for the ESPN unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu include a special offer at launch for $29.99/month for the first 12 months.
All subscribers to ESPN’s unlimited plan – either through ESPN DTC or a traditional Pay TV provider – will have live and on-demand access to all of ESPN’s leading studio shows – including SportsCenter, Get Up, First Take, NFL Live, The Pat McAfee Show, Pardon the Interruption, College GameDay, NBA Today, Inside the NBA, The Rich Eisen Show, and more – plus a robust, on-demand library featuring 30 for 30 films, ESPN Originals, replays, and more.
The enhanced ESPN App will introduce a more personalised, dynamic viewing experience for fans. New features will include updated multiview options, integrated game stats, betting information, fantasy sports and commerce, along with a personalised SC For You. The new features and functionality will be available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App, whether they subscribe directly or through a traditional pay TV package.
Disney will continue to offer a cheaper alternative, the ESPN Select plan, which is currently known as ESPN+, for $11.99 a month. This includes access to all content available on ESPN+, including more than 32,000 live sports events annually, a robust library of exclusive studio shows, on-demand replays, acclaimed original content, and more.
All of the ESPN content will also be available directly through the ESPN hub on Disney+ for bundled subscribers in the United States,
The launch of ESPN’s new streaming service makes a major change in the companies direction, as it pivots away from linear television to a new world of streaming, while still offering the same offerings to everyone. ESPN is set to become a major aspect of Disney+ moving forward, as sports programming has proven to be a major game changer for any platform.
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