ESPN standalone streaming app is coming this fall — and it ain't cheap

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You'll pick from a variety of bundles

ESPN logo on TV with remote
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

It's been a week since Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that an ESPN streaming app was on the way, a project he called the "ESPN Flagship" during the company's earnings call. And while pricing wasn't disclosed at that time, the mystery has apparently been solved.

The Verge reports that the app — simply titled "ESPN" — will cost sports fans $29.99/month for the app's "unlimited" plan. That particular offering will pack in all of ESPN's cable channels. Pay on an annual basis, and you'll be charged $299.99 — a $60 savings over what you would spend paying for a monthly subscription.

  • ESPN
  • ESPN2
  • ESPN3
  • ESPNU
  • ESPNews
  • ESPN Deportes
  • SEC Network +
  • Longhorn Network
  • ACC Network Extra
  • ESPN Goal Line
  • ESPN Bases Loaded
  • ESPN+ content

That would mean ESPN Plus — the sports network's current streaming option — isn't going away. Instead, it will feature the same programming as part of a new "select" plan that starts at $11.99/month.

If you're already subscribed to ESPN Plus, you will be automatically moved to ESPN select.

During that earlier earnings call, Iger indicated that if you have ESPN with your cable package or as part of one of the best live TV streaming services, you'll get access to the ESPN flagship app. But it's still unclear how that will work out.

In addition to the ESPN app and the ESPN Plus select tier, Disney is offering a number of bundles that include Disney Plus and Hulu.

Here's the list of subscription plans that will get you some form of ESPN and their prices:

  • Special ESPN unlimited bundle launch offer: Disney Plus (ads), Hulu (ads): for $29.99 per for the first 12 months.
  • ESPN unlimited: $29.99 per month or $299.99 annually
  • ESPN unlimited bundle with Disney Plus (ads), and Hulu (ads): $35.99 per month.
  • ESPN unlimited bundle with Disney Plus (no ads) and Hulu (no ads): $44.99 per month
  • ESPN select (same as ESPN+ offerings): $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually
  • ESPN select bundle Disney Plus (ads) and Hulu (ads): $16.99 per month
  • ESPN select bundle Disney Plus (no ads) and Hulu (no ads): $26.99 per month

Now that the Venu Sports partnership involving Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery has been scuttled, more outlets are releasing their own sports-focused app. This week, Fox announced a new Fox One app coming in the early fall that combines all of Fox's content, including sports, news and entertainment. The big draw for the app will likely be the Fox Sports offerings, including college football and the NFL.

Disney has yet to announce an actual release date for the new ESPN app. Apparently, the service will launch in the "early fall," with an official date announcement coming later in the summer.

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Scott Younker
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

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