On the cusp of acquiring the NFL Network, Disney’s ESPN announced its long-awaited streaming service will arrive this month. According to Deadline, the standalone service will be available on August 21. Subscribers will pay $29.99 a month for the sports news network’s cable-less app.
This news accompanied several other headlines from Disney’s quarterly earnings call today, including its new partnership with WWE and Hulu’s full integration into Disney+. According to Deadline, ESPN has signed a billion-dollar collaboration with WWE, securing rights to various live events, including WrestleMania and SummerSlam for 2026. This concludes WWE’s current partnership with Peacock.
In addition to WWE, ESPN’s new deal with the NFL expands its programming. According to Deadline, ESPN is allotted more NFL content, including some out-of-market preseason games. The network can also sell NFL+ Premium bundles to customers who have accessed extra features through this DTC service. Fans who have enjoyed NFL+ since 2022 have had access to the NFL Network and NFL RedZone via this platform.
Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer of WWE’s parent TKO Group Holdings, called the deal “an exciting juncture” as it was announced with the streaming platform’s debut. According to Deadline, Shapiro shared that the WWE is “exactly the type of rich storytelling, incredible feats of athleticism and can’t-miss, cultural tentpole experiences that have become synonymous with ESPN.” ESPN boasts these live events, while Netflix maintains its weekly airing of WWE’s Monday Night Raw.
ESPN’s chairman, Jimmy Pitaro, welcomed WWE’s “immense, devoted and passionate fanbase” to the ESPN family, via Deadline. The aim, of course, is for these hefty new live events to “drive our streaming future.”
As networks have hopped on the streaming boom, they have pivoted to obtain more live TV events, from comedy specials to sports. Peacock pulled rank, airing the Olympics, while Netflix surprised many with its NFL deal last year, showcasing two big playoff games. One in particular on Christmas Day promoted a halftime show universally known as the “Beyonce Bowl.”
