The Walt Disney Company has announced the August 2025 launch of a new standalone ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service, marking one of the company’s most significant moves in its long-term sports strategy. According to Disney, the platform will deliver more than 20,000 live sports events annually, including coverage from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, WNBA, NCAA, golf, tennis, UFC, Top Rank Boxing, cricket, Formula 1, and soccer, among others.
Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, emphasized the scale of the launch, stating: “We are building the most personalized sports experience in the industry. With this new service, fans will have access to the best in live sports, original programming, fantasy, and betting – all in one place.” He added that the new model was designed to “meet fans where they are,” blending ESPN’s extensive rights portfolio with features that extend beyond live broadcasts.
Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, framed the launch as central to Disney’s next phase of growth: “Sports remain one of the most powerful drivers of live engagement, and ESPN is the number one brand in sports. This new service represents a transformative moment for Disney, as it extends ESPN’s leadership into the streaming era while continuing to deliver unmatched value to fans and partners.”
The service will be available at $29.99 per month, or $249.99 annually, with a premium bundle option offering access to Disney+ and Hulu for $34.99 per month. Disney also confirmed that the new ESPN platform will be deeply integrated into the broader streaming ecosystem, with availability across smart TVs, mobile devices, and major distribution platforms.
The platform will include interactive experiences such as real-time game stats, betting integration, fantasy team tracking, and multi-game viewing capabilities. In addition, it will feature original studio shows, exclusive documentaries, and library programming. Disney noted that these features are meant to differentiate ESPN’s offering in an increasingly crowded streaming sports landscape.
Disney’s decision comes at a time when sports content continues to be one of the most valuable drivers of live television and streaming engagement. The company stressed that ESPN on linear television remains strong, but a standalone streaming service allows the brand to expand its reach to younger, digital-first audiences while strengthening Disney’s direct-to-consumer revenue model.
Disney also highlighted that ESPN’s content rights are secured through long-term deals across major leagues and properties, ensuring that the new platform will launch with one of the most comprehensive sports offerings in the industry.
The ESPN standalone service is expected to serve as both a complement and a growth engine alongside Disney’s existing streaming portfolio, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. With its competitive price point and expanded features, the company is positioning the new service as an essential subscription for sports fans, particularly as traditional cable bundles continue to face subscriber erosion.
Related News
