ESPN is set to launch its much-anticipated subscription-based streaming app, offering live sports and programming from its networks. Priced at $29.99 per month, the new app also allows users to bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu for $35.99. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro expressed hopes that this pricing strategy would provide fans with clear and attractive options to access their content.
Analysts, however, question whether this service will truly be cost-effective for viewers. Michael Pachter from Wedbush Securities notes that while this might appeal to single viewers or those without cable, the overall cost of multiple streaming services can still add up. Families cutting cable might pay $29.99 for sports but would still need additional subscriptions for other TV shows and movies. According to Deloitte’s 2025 media trends report, the average U.S. household spends approximately $69 monthly on streaming services, compared to an average cable bill of $122.
For those seeking ESPN through other platforms, it is already available via FuboTV for $84.99 monthly and YouTube TV for $82.99. ESPN has experienced a decline in subscribers from both cable and streaming services over the past year, with domestic subscription revenue dropping by 1% in 2024 compared to 2023, and ESPN+ subscribers decreasing by 2%.
— new from NPR