Disney Plus streaming service will add a dedicated tile for ESPN which is anticipated to roll out by the end of the year. Bob Iger revealed this during the company’s second-quarter earnings call on Tuesday.
Bob Iger, Disney CEO, said, “By the end of this calendar year, we will be adding an ESPN tile to Disney Plus, giving all US subscribers access to select live games and studio programming within the Disney Plus app. We see this as a first step to bringing ESPN to Disney Plus viewers, as we ready the launch of our enhanced standalone ESPN streaming service in the fall of 2025.”
The debut of the ESPN tile is set to expand the streaming service’s offerings, following the successful launch of the full version of Disney’s Hulu on Disney Plus. After getting introduced in December as a beta version, Hulu on Disney Plus provided subscribers with access to a selection of Hulu titles within a designated Hulu tile, catering particularly to Disney bundle subscribers who availed of both services. However, Hulu titles now seamlessly integrate into the Disney Plus platform beyond the confines of a single tile with the rollout of the full version in March.
Notably, catering to diverse viewer preferences Disney offers four bundled subscription options. Two bundles include subscriptions to Hulu and Disney Plus, while the other two encompass subscriptions to Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus. The latter bundles feature the ad-supported versions of Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus and are priced at $15 per month. Alternatively, subscribers can opt for the $25 per month tier, which offers the same bundle with ad-free versions of Disney Plus and Hulu.
Furthermore, standalone ESPN and a distinct sports streaming service jointly developed by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery are on their way. However, no details regarding their specific pricing or launch details are undisclosed, but industry insiders suggest that the standalone ESPN offering is slated for a 2025 debut, with the collaborative sports streaming service expected to launch this year.
Bob Iger said, “As I look ahead, I think ESPN is going to make a pivot toward digital, but without abandoning linear. So it will remain on linear. If people want to get ESPN and its different channels through a cable or satellite subscription, that’s fine.”