ESPN has officially ushered in a new era for sports fans with the launch of its direct-to-consumer streaming service and a dramatically enhanced ESPN App, making the network’s entire suite of 12 channels available directly to viewers for the very first time. This historic move, which debuted on Thursday, August 21, 2025, marks a pivotal shift in how fans can access live sports, original programming, and interactive features, all under the ESPN umbrella.
The timing of the launch couldn’t be more strategic. As the college football and NFL seasons approach, along with the US Open, international soccer, WNBA playoffs, and a slew of other major sporting events, ESPN is positioning itself as the one-stop shop for sports enthusiasts. According to ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro in an interview with ABC’s Will Reeve, "This service and the enhanced ESPN App will deliver on that promise [to serve sports fans anytime, anywhere]." Pitaro called the rollout "a monumental day for all of us at ESPN, for The Walt Disney Company and, most importantly, for our fans."
So, what’s included in this new offering? For $29.99 per month (or $299.99 per year), subscribers can access the ESPN Unlimited plan, unlocking all 12 ESPN linear networks—ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX. That means more than 47,000 live events each year, on-demand replays, a deep library of original programming, and documentaries such as the acclaimed 30 for 30 series. For those who want even more, ESPN is offering bundle deals: Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited for $29.99 a month for the first year, making it easier than ever to combine sports, entertainment, and family programming in one place.
Adam Smith, Chief Product & Technology Officer for Disney Entertainment & ESPN, shared his excitement about the platform’s evolution: "ESPN is the preeminent digital sports platform, and this launch marks the most significant advancement of the product in years. Even more exciting—it is only going to keep getting better." Smith emphasized that this new approach brings together ESPN’s vast ecosystem—streaming, highlights, news, scores, stats, fantasy sports, betting, social content, and more—into a seamless, personalized experience. "That is what it means to reimagine the viewing experience. It’s something nobody can do quite like ESPN and Disney, and this is just a starting line," Smith told The Walt Disney Company’s press team.
Personalization is a key theme. The enhanced ESPN App introduces several new features designed to make sports viewing more engaging and interactive. The “Verts” feature, for example, is a swipeable vertical video carousel reminiscent of TikTok, offering fans a personalized feed of highlights, news, and viral clips based on their favorite teams and leagues. "Verts is a new section on the ESPN app on mobile devices, providing fans a swipe-able, personalized vertical video experience that reimagines and modernizes how they view video in the ESPN mobile app," Smith explained.
Another standout is “StreamCenter,” which syncs the ESPN App on a mobile device with that on a connected TV, allowing viewers to follow real-time stats, betting odds, fantasy updates, and even shop for merchandise—all while watching the game. Fans can use their phone as a remote control and avoid spoilers by keeping both screens perfectly in sync. For those who like to keep an eye on multiple games, the Multiview feature lets users watch up to four games simultaneously on connected TVs.
Catch Up To Live is another innovation—if you join a game late, you can instantly watch all the key highlights you missed before jumping to the live action or starting from the beginning. For die-hard fans, the new SportsCenter For You (currently in beta) delivers a personalized daily version of the iconic show, with AI-generated commentary using the voices of well-known anchors such as Hannah Storm and Gary Striewski, tailored to each user’s sports interests.
Betting and fantasy sports integration are now front and center, with real-time ESPN BET information and fantasy stats available during games. Commerce by Fanatics adds a shopping element, enabling users to buy gear related to the content they’re watching directly from their mobile device.
Live sports remain the crown jewel of television, and ESPN’s new streaming service is doubling down on this value. The network’s rights portfolio is unmatched, featuring the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, WNBA, UFC, UFL, SEC, ACC, Big 12, College Football Playoff, 40 NCAA championships, LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL, FA Cup, Grand Slam tennis, PGA golf, Little League World Series, Premier Lacrosse League, and more. The recent acquisition of the NFL Network means ESPN will air three additional NFL games and have expanded coverage of Monday night games, a move that gives fans more ways to watch their favorite teams and players.
WWE fans also have reason to celebrate. Starting next year, WWE premium live events will be available exclusively in the U.S. on the ESPN App, taking over from Peacock. Netflix retains the rights for WWE events overseas, but for American fans, ESPN is now the go-to destination for both traditional sports and sports entertainment.
For those sticking with cable or satellite, there’s no need to worry—current ESPN+ subscribers will automatically migrate to the new service, and all enhanced app features are available to anyone with an authenticated subscription, whether through a multichannel TV provider or directly via ESPN. ESPN+ isn’t going away; instead, it becomes the “select” plan, still offering 32,000 live events per year and a vast library of exclusive shows and replays.
The launch is being celebrated in style. ESPN rolled out a star-powered marketing campaign featuring John Cena and partnered with brands like Complex, Lyft, and Samsung for high-impact promotions and pop-up fan experiences. In recognition of this milestone, August 21, 2025, was even proclaimed “National ESPN App Day” by the National Day Archives.
Looking ahead, ESPN is planning further bundle options, including an ESPN DTC and Fox One package for $39.99 per month starting October 2, and an ESPN DTC and NFL+ Premium bundle (with NFL Redzone) for the same price beginning September 3. These moves are part of ESPN’s broader strategy to give fans maximum flexibility and choice, whether they’re cord-cutters, traditional subscribers, or somewhere in between.
Disney, the parent company of ESPN, Disney+, Hulu, and Fox, is betting big on the future of streaming and sports. As Pitaro put it, "There is no finish line." With this launch, ESPN is not just keeping pace with the changing media landscape—it’s aiming to set the standard for what sports streaming can be. The network’s promise is simple but ambitious: to serve sports fans anytime, anywhere, and now, in more ways than ever before.
