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ESPN’s Standalone App Launches Thursday With Full Channels, AI Features, Bundles

Access varies by provider, signaling ESPN's pivot to bundles, personalization, direct sales.

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A 3D printed Disney logo is seen in front of the ESPN+ logo in this illustration created on July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Overview

  • The service debuts Aug. 21 with two tiers: Unlimited at $29.99 per month (or $299.99 per year) offering all ESPN linear channels plus ESPN+, and Select at $11.99 per month mirroring current ESPN+ content.
  • Unlimited includes roughly 47,000 live events annually across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, college sports and more, with ABC sports telecasts also available in the app.
  • Launch features include an AI-personalized SportsCenter for You using anchor voices, a TikTok-style Verts highlights feed, multiview up to four streams on major smart TVs, StreamCenter phone-to-TV syncing, and integrations for fantasy, betting and commerce.
  • Bundles roll out on a schedule: a Disney+/Hulu/ESPN promo at $29.99 per month for the first year starts at launch, an NFL+ Premium pairing at $39.99 per month begins Sept. 3, and a Fox One bundle at $39.99 per month arrives Oct. 2; NFL Network integration into ESPN awaits regulatory approval of the league’s planned 10% stake deal.
  • Authenticated access at launch is available for Charter, Verizon and DirecTV customers plus Hulu + Live TV and Fubo, while Comcast Xfinity, YouTube TV, Dish, Sling and Cox users won’t initially get app-only exclusives as talks continue; Disney is backing the rollout with heavy LA/NY marketing, retail tie-ins and Samsung/Best Buy promotions.