On August 21, 2025, ESPN took a bold leap into the future of sports broadcasting, launching its highly anticipated direct-to-consumer streaming service, ESPN Unlimited. The move, described by ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro as a “monumental day for all of us at ESPN, for The Walt Disney Company and, most importantly, for our fans,” marks a new era in how viewers access live sports, studio shows, and the vast entertainment libraries of Disney and Hulu.
For years, sports fans have juggled multiple subscriptions and cable packages to keep up with college football, the NFL, the NBA, and countless other leagues. Now, ESPN Unlimited aims to bring it all together, offering livestreaming access to more than 47,000 live events each year. The service bundles ESPN’s entire linear lineup—think ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX—with on-demand replays, original programming, and a host of interactive features. The monthly subscription starts at $29.99, or $299.99 annually, with ad-supported options available.
But ESPN isn’t going it alone. Through January 5, 2026, new subscribers can snag an enticing bundle: Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited, all with ads, for $29.99 per month for the first year. The Premium tier, featuring limited ads, is available for $38.99 monthly during the same period. After the initial 12 months, the plans auto-renew at $35.99 or $44.99 per month, respectively. According to The Hollywood Reporter, this bundle delivers savings of more than 39% compared to purchasing each service individually—a tempting offer for cord-cutters and superfans alike.
So, what exactly do subscribers get for their money? ESPN Unlimited is packed with features designed to meet the needs of today’s sports enthusiasts. Beyond the core channels, users can access a library of studio shows, including SportsCenter, NFL Live, The Pat McAfee Show, NBA Today, and the acclaimed 30 for 30 films. The platform’s new app experience introduces "SC for You," a personalized daily version of SportsCenter that delivers highlights and must-see videos tailored to your favorite teams.
For fans on the go, the ESPN Verts feature offers a vertical video carousel on mobile devices—currently in beta—making it easier than ever to catch up on top plays and breaking news. The ESPN StreamCenter, a synchronized second-screen experience, lets users watch live games on their TV while receiving real-time stats and automated alerts on their mobile device, eliminating information lag and the dreaded spoiler effect. And for those who can’t decide which game to watch, Multiview allows up to four games to stream simultaneously on connected TVs.
There’s also a "Catch Up to Live" feature that brings fans up to speed on what they missed as they join a live event, and an interactive retail experience for shopping sports merchandise while you watch. Integrated live game stats, real-time ESPN Fantasy results, and live ESPN BET information round out a suite of tools designed to keep fans engaged and informed.
Disney President Bob Iger made it clear during a CNBC interview that ESPN Unlimited isn’t about abandoning traditional cable subscribers. “If you are a subscriber to traditional paid television, whether it’s Charter or Comcast or DirecTV, you will, through authentication within the ESPN app, get access to all of our new features and function, which is a ton of value for the sports fan and a ton of value for our partners,” he explained. Iger also emphasized that Disney is managing its linear and digital TV businesses as one, aiming to aggregate subscription fees and advertising revenue across platforms. "A number of other companies are exiting their linear business completely ... We’re doing the opposite actually. We’re combining them, which gives us the ability to aggregate both subscription fees and advertising on both sides, and essentially end up with a business that’s actually larger and more impactful than it would be if we were to separate them completely."
For cable subscribers, accessing ESPN Unlimited is straightforward: simply enter your credentials into the updated ESPN app. ESPN’s current pay-TV partners include Fubo, Charter, DirecTV, Hulu, and Verizon, ensuring broad compatibility for those who haven’t cut the cord.
Of course, ESPN Unlimited isn’t the only game in town. The company’s previous streaming service, ESPN+, has been rebranded as ESPN Select, now priced at $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. Unlike ESPN Unlimited, ESPN Select doesn’t include live ESPN channels, focusing instead on digital-only games and original content. Existing ESPN+ subscribers have been automatically moved to the new ESPN Select plan, with content remaining largely unchanged.
For those curious about trying ESPN Unlimited before committing, there’s a catch: the service does not offer a free trial. However, as reported by TV Tech, you can access ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select for three days by signing up for a Hulu + Live TV free trial—an option that may appeal to those weighing live TV alternatives to cable.
The service is accessible across a wide array of platforms. The ESPN app is available for download on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and can be used on popular streaming devices like Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Android TV. Gamers aren’t left out either, with support for consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Looking ahead, ESPN has already inked deals to expand its content lineup. According to TV Tech, the NFL Network will eventually be integrated into ESPN Unlimited, and a new agreement with WWE will bring WrestleMania to the service starting in 2026. These additions are expected to further bolster the platform’s appeal as the go-to destination for live sports.
The Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited bundle opens the doors to a vast entertainment universe. Disney+ houses animated classics, Marvel Studios blockbusters, Pixar gems, and content from Lucasfilm and National Geographic. Hulu brings award-winning series like The Bear, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Abbott Elementary into the mix, alongside a deep library of originals and network favorites.
As the streaming landscape grows ever more crowded, ESPN Unlimited’s launch is already sparking questions among consumers. One fan, posting on social media, wondered, “I already had a streaming bundle with Disney plus, Hulu and ESPN+, I already have ESPN through my cable provider. Am I good @espn? Or do I need to buy something else?” It’s a fair question in a world awash with overlapping subscriptions and evolving packages.
For now, ESPN and Disney are betting that their new unified approach—melding linear and digital, sports and entertainment—will win over both longtime fans and newcomers. As Pitaro put it, “What we’re launching today will evolve with regular enhancements over time. As we have since 1979, we’ll continue to listen, adapt and innovate, with sports fans at the center of everything we do. There is no finish line.”
With a robust lineup, innovative features, and a competitive bundle, ESPN Unlimited is setting the pace in the race for the future of sports streaming—one that promises to be as dynamic and unpredictable as the games themselves.
