After years of development and speculation, ESPN has officially settled on the name for its upcoming all-access streaming service: simply, “ESPN.” The name choice reflects a strategic decision by Disney’s sports division to streamline its branding in an increasingly complex streaming landscape. The service, expected to launch this fall, will be formally unveiled at a media event next week, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Internally, the platform has long been referred to as the “flagship” service, underscoring its role as the most comprehensive digital offering from ESPN to date. The new platform will provide subscribers access to the full breadth of ESPN’s content, including live coverage of all games, programs from networks like ESPN2 and SEC Network, content from ESPN on ABC, fantasy sports tools, new betting integrations, studio programming, documentaries, and more.
This differentiates the new ESPN platform from ESPN+, which remains a separate and less costly service. ESPN+ currently does not include many of the top-tier live sporting events, such as Monday Night Football, which are exclusive to traditional cable and will be available on the new platform. ESPN+ will still be available for $11.99 a month, or bundled with Disney+ and Hulu for $16.99 per month with ads.
The new streaming service is expected to be priced between $25 and $30 per month. While the content itself isn’t new, the launch marks a significant shift in how fans will access ESPN’s offerings—transitioning from cable to a fully digital experience. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro pushed for keeping the legacy name to avoid confusion among consumers who are already navigating a fragmented media landscape with multiple bundles and overlapping platforms.
In conjunction with the launch, the ESPN mobile app will undergo a redesign and serve as the digital entry point for the new service across smart TVs and connected devices. For those who already subscribe to ESPN via traditional pay-TV, the new app will offer additional digital features and enhanced interactivity not available through cable, and access will be included at no extra cost.
More pricing details and information about bundled options are expected to be revealed during next week’s announcement, following statements from Disney CEO Bob Iger during the company’s latest earnings call.
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