ESPN and Fox are making waves in the streaming market by bundling their soon-to-launch services. This collaboration aims to provide sports fans with a comprehensive viewing experience at a competitive price.
ESPN and Fox Launch Streaming Bundle
EXCLUSIVE: In a significant move in the streaming industry, ESPN and Fox are joining forces to bundle their upcoming streaming services, as reported by Deadline.
Service Details
Fox One, which combines sports, news, and entertainment from Fox’s broadcast and cable channels, will launch alongside ESPN’s enhanced direct-to-consumer service on August 21. Fox One will be available for $19.99 per month, while ESPN will offer an introductory price of $29.99.
Bundle Launch and Pricing
The combined service is set to launch on October 2, priced at $39.99 per month, according to sources familiar with the rollout.
Industry Trends
This collaboration marks a notable instance of third-party bundling, particularly among major sports rights holders. Last year, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery introduced a package that included HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu, which has reportedly gained traction. Consumers are facing rising prices and an overwhelming array of choices in the streaming market.
Content Offerings
While sports serve as the primary link between Fox One and ESPN, the former will also feature programming from the Fox broadcast network, local stations, Fox News, Fox Business, and Fox Weather. For dedicated sports fans, the bundle could be complemented by Paramount+ and NBCUniversal’s Peacock, providing extensive coverage at a lower price than traditional pay-TV packages.
Strategic Goals
Executives at Disney and Fox view their new services as complementary to their existing linear business models. As the traditional cable bundle continues to shrink, industry programmers are adjusting their strategies. “We will ultimately assess our success based on the total number of subscribers to ESPN,” stated ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro at a recent press event. “We are not focusing on any single platform.”
Future of Bundling
Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch emphasized that Fox One’s pricing will be competitive and aligned with wholesale rates for pay-TV distributors. He also noted that bundling remains a priority for the company.
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Previous Ventures
Disney and Fox previously collaborated with WBD on the now-defunct Venu Sports, a joint streaming venture that was abandoned last January due to an antitrust lawsuit from pay-TV operator Fubo. Some of Venu’s infrastructure, which cost the partners millions to develop, is being repurposed for Fox One. Pete Distad, who led Venu, joined Fox earlier this year as CEO of Fox One.
Commitment to Quality
“Partnering with Fox One on this bundle allows us to deliver ESPN’s world-class sports content to more fans seamlessly,” stated Sean Breen, EVP of Disney Platform Distribution. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to providing premium experiences across platforms and meeting consumers wherever they are—anytime, anywhere.”
Value for Consumers
“Creating this bundle demonstrates our desire to provide the best value and viewing experience for our shared customers,” said Tony Billetter, SVP of Strategy and Business Development at Fox Direct to Consumer. Fox is dedicated to finding ways to enhance the user experience, especially for avid sports fans.
Comprehensive Offerings
The ESPN direct-to-consumer service is available to pay-TV subscribers whose packages include ESPN. It features all of ESPN’s linear networks, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, SECN+, and ACCNX, totaling approximately 47,000 live events annually, alongside studio shows and original programming. NFL content on the app is also expanding due to a recent agreement between the league and Disney.
In addition to the Fox broadcast network, Fox One will include cable channels FS1, FS2, and the Big Ten Network, with options for add-on subscriptions to Fox Nation and the premium outlet B1G+.
