According to The Hollywood Reporter, ESPN have finally revealed their latest direct-to-consumer style streaming service Tuesday. It reportedly is set to be called ESPN on its own completely redesigned ESPN app, and its fall launch is planned at $29.99 per month, or alternatively $35.99 for bundle that includes Disney + and Hulu.
THR quotes Jimmy Pitaro, who leads ESPN, reportedly during a press briefing in Disney’s New York office, “As we explored options, we kept coming back to our four letters, ESPN.”
The Hollywood Reporter also mentions that ESPN is also launching a promotional launch price of $29.99 for the bundle of all three services for the first 12 months. Other offers include an annual plan for $299.99, and a no-ads option (for Hulu and Disney+) at $44.99 monthly.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, ESPN will rebrand ESPN+ as ESPN select, and will still cost $11.99.
THR details Pitaro’s thoughts on those subscribing to ESPN, noting that those who pay for TV bundles with access to ESPN will have access to the new streaming service. “We are ultimately going to judge ourselves based on the totality of people subscribing to ESPN,” Pitaro stated. “We’re very happy with the traditional world, the traditional ecosystem. We’ve done a lot to protect that ecosystem, and we will continue to make the traditional ecosystem a priority.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pitaro added that Disney and its distribution partners made easy access for Pay-TV customers a priority. Throughout these open-book conversations also came up the return of the Rich Eisen Show, along with ESPN’s confirmation of their full suite of studio shows and live sports.
“We are very much focused on on AI, and are working with some of our key talent right now, getting them on board with this idea that having the storytelling being driven by AI,” THR quotes Pitaro on his priorities for the company.