ESPN is set to launch its flagship direct-to-consumer service in either August or the fall of 2025, according to Disney CEO Bob Iger, who shared this information during an interview on Wednesday.
This new service will encompass all of ESPN’s programming and will feature enhanced personalization, as well as integration with ESPN’s fantasy platforms and ESPN Bet.
The timing of this launch has been eagerly anticipated in the sports media sector. However, the announcement is somewhat tempered by Disney’s recent news that ESPN will also be available in a new sports bundle this fall.
The direct-to-consumer service was initially expected to be the first opportunity for non-cable subscribers to access ESPN outside the traditional cable bundle.
Instead, this role will now be filled by a new joint venture from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
It remains uncertain whether TV viewers who have moved away from cable will be willing to pay a premium for either of these sports options, as neither includes live sports games from Comcast NBCUniversal or Paramount Global.
Disney already operates a sports streaming service called ESPN+, which ended the quarter with 25.2 million subscribers, a slight decrease from 26 million the previous quarter.
ESPN+ offers a selection of ESPN’s content but does not include some of the network’s most popular live sports events, such as the full lineup of Monday Night Football.
Iger addressed concerns about the potential overlap between the new streaming service and ESPN. He suggested that the two platforms would cater to different needs.
The ESPN service, he said, “will have many more features and provide a much more immersive experience for the sports fan than this bundle has.” In contrast, he described the new bundle as “really a channel bundle.”
Disney is working to revamp the ESPN business amid declining traditional cable subscriptions.
The company has explored the possibility of partnering with other entities and has held preliminary discussions with the NFL, NBA, and MLB about potential agreements.
