ESPN is about to launch its long-anticipated sports streaming service. It's been a long journey to get here — including a brief Venu Sports detour — but the service was finally unveiled back in May, and we learned even more details in subsequent announcements earlier this August. Now, starting Aug. 21, 2025, you'll be able to sign up for ESPN's streaming service, which is (confusingly?) called ESPN.
But just because you can sign up for ESPN doesn't mean you should. After all, you might already get ESPN from your cable provider or one of the best live TV streaming services. You might already have ESPN Plus and be confused as to the difference between this new service and that existing streaming option — don't worry, we'll cover that.
So let's dive into everything you need to know about the new ESPN streaming service, including launch date, availability, pricing, streaming bundles featuring ESPN, what channels you get and more
Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made.
What is ESPN?
ESPN is ... well, it's a few things. However, in this instance, I'm referring to a brand-new streaming service from ESPN, the sports media giant owned by Disney, which is most famous for its cable TV network, ESPN.
If you think that's confusing, don't worry — it is. The important thing to remember is that ESPN, the cable network, is just one channel, whereas the ESPN streaming service offers multiple channels, including the ESPN network.
ESPN streaming service: Price
Multiple networks comes at a price, and ESPN's streaming service is no exception. There's the ESPN Unlimited plan costs $29.99 a month or $299.99 a year. It comes with 12 channels at launch and potentially more next year. Those networks include ESPN, ESPN2 and more, even ESPN Plus content.
Speaking of ESPN Plus, it's getting an overhaul that I'll go into more detail on further down in the article. But it's now being rebranded as the ESPN Select plan. It will still cost $11.99 a month or $119.99 a year, and will still feature just ESPN Plus-branded content. But the service itself will no longer be called ESPN Plus.
ESPN streaming service channels: What networks are included?
At present, ESPN officially lists the following ESPN networks as included in the ESPN Unlimited plan.
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- SEC Network
- ACC Network
- ESPNews
- ESPN Deportes
- ESPN on ABC
- ESPN Plus
- ESPN3
- SEC Network Plus
- ACC Network Extra
One important thing to note about that list —ESPN does not give you access to your local ABC channel. It only offers ESPN on ABC-branded telecasts, such as Monday Night Football.
In the future, ESPN Unlimited will get additional content. ESPN is adding WWE Premium Live Events to the platform next year (2026) and recently agreed to acquire NFL Network. That deal still requires regulatory approval, but all indications are that if the deal is completed, NFL Network will be added to ESPN Unlimited at for no additional cost.
It's still unclear how NFL RedZone fits into all of this, but it doesn't seem like it will be added to the ESPN streaming service, at least not yet.
ESPN streaming bundles
ESPN Unlimited and Disney Plus, Hulu Bundle Basic bundle
There are currently two bundles that allow you to combine ESPN Unlimited with another streaming service or two to save a bit of money on your monthly streaming budget. The first such bundle is a bundle that combines Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited.
The versions of Disney Plus and Hulu you get with this bundle are both ad-supported, which may be a disappointment for some of you reading this. Still, the bundle only costs $35.99 a month, which is $5 cheaper than signing up for ESPN Unlimited ($29.99 a month) and a Disney Plus and Hulu Bundle Basic ($10.99 a month) separately.
Right now, for a limited time, you can get the ESPN Unlimited and Disney Plus, Hulu Bundle Basic bundle for a special promotion price of $29.99, which is the same price you'd normally pay for just ESPN Unlimited. That price lasts for 12 months, after which point you'll need to pay $35.99 a month. You can also pay up extra for a bundle that gives you the ad-free versions of Disney Plus and Hulu.
ESPN Unlimited and Fox One bundle
The aforementioned Disney Plus, Hulu Bundle Basic bundle is great if you want a variety of shows, movies and live events to watch. But if you're a sports fanatic, ESPN's bundle with the new Fox One streaming service — also launching on Aug. 21 — might be the better option for you.
That's because Fox One takes all of Fox's sports networks and combines them into a single streaming service, in addition to other Fox cable networks and your local Fox affiliate. Here's the full list of everything you get with Fox One.
- FOX News Channel
- FOX Business
- FOX Weather
- FOX Sports
- FS1
- FS2
- FOX Deportes
- B1G
- FOX Local Stations
- FOX Network
This bundle is slightly more expensive, at $39.99 a month, but you do get significantly more live sports. I'd personally opt for the ESPN Unlimited and Disney Plus, Hulu Bundle Basic bundle (especially at its promotional price), but if you are a true sports fanatic, then this Fox One bundle might be too good to pass up.
ESPN vs ESPN Plus
Okay, this is probably the question on most people's minds: What's the difference between ESPN and ESPN Plus? It's an important question to ask, especially since ESPN Plus will be changing once ESPN goes live.
Luckily, it's fairly easy to explain. ESPN Plus used to be a streaming service. It included content that wasn't shown on ESPN's linear networks, including shows, documentaries and live sporting events. Notably, it didn't include a live feed of ESPN or any of ESPN's linear TV channels.
Now, the streaming service ESPN Plus is being rebranded as ESPN Select. If you have ESPN Plus, you'll automatically be transitioned to ESPN Select, even if you currently get ESPN Plus through a Disney Plus Bundle. The ESPN Plus brand will still exist, and apply to the over 32,000 live sporting events, shows and more that are available to ESPN Select subscribers.
ESPN, meanwhile, is a streaming service that includes all of ESPN's linear networks — ESPN, ESPN2, etc. — including ESPN Plus. Basically, if you want to watch ESPN Plus, you need ESPN.
ESPN streaming service vs ESPN TV channels
Another question you might be asking is how ESPN, the streaming service, is different from ESPN, the cable network. The answer is pretty simple: ESPN, the cable network, is one of many linear TV channels you get as part of your ESPN Ultimate streaming subscription — you don't get ESPN the linear TV channel with ESPN Select.
ESPN and its other ESPN linear TV networks will continue to be available through cable providers, satellite and live TV streaming services.
Where can you get ESPN?
Okay, this is important. First, ESPN is only available in the U.S. There's currently no publicly available information that indicates that the streaming service will ever roll out globally, though never say never.
Second, if you're in the U.S., there are two ways you can get the ESPN streaming service. If you don't already have cable, satellite or a live TV streaming service, you'll want to sign up directly through ESPN. If you already have ESPN through one of those live TV services, though, things get more complicated.
Currently, ESPN has agreements in place with Charter, DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu, Verizon and what it refers to as "other smaller operators." If you get ESPN as a channel through one of these providers, you likely get access to ESPN Ultimate free of charge, though you'll need to check with your provider. We do know that DirecTV, specifically, is offering it to all Signature Plan customers and all MySports Genre Pack subscribers.
And yes, you read that correctly. If you use YouTube TV, Xfinity or Sling, there currently is no agreement to offer you ESPN for free as part of your subscription. However, ESPN has said it is still negotiating with other platforms, so stay tuned for updates on that front.
Regardless of how you get ESPN, you'll access the streaming service through a newly enhanced ESPN app. This will be the same for Ultimate and Select customers. In short, if you want to watch your ESPN subscription, you'll need to use the ESPN app.
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