Yesterday was a landmark day for cord-cutters everywhere. Both ESPN and Fox have launched their own direct-to-consumer streaming services, finally making their full channel lineups available without a traditional cable or satellite subscription. This guide breaks down exactly what you get with each new service and how they can change your streaming setup.
ESPN's New Streaming Service (ESPN Unlimited)
The new ESPN service is a comprehensive offering that gives subscribers access to all 12 of ESPN's linear networks and services. This includes:
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ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes
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ESPN on ABC, ESPN Plus, ESPN3, SECN+, ACCNX
The new service is priced at $29.99 per month for the "Unlimited" plan. There is also an "ESPN Select" plan, which is essentially the rebranded version of the existing ESPN Plus service, at $11.99 per month. The Unlimited plan provides access to over 47,000 live events each year, along with on-demand replays and original programming.
The launch also comes with a revamped ESPN app that includes new features like:
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Verts: A new, swipe-able vertical video experience for mobile devices.
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StreamCenter: A two-screen experience that syncs the live game on your TV with stats and alerts on your mobile device.
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SportsCenter For You: An AI-generated commentary feature that provides a personalized version of SportsCenter.
The new service can also be bundled with Disney Plus and Hulu for the same price as the standalone ESPN Unlimited plan for the first 12 months.
Fox One
Fox's new service is called Fox One. It's designed to be a one-stop shop for all of Fox's content, including news, sports, and entertainment. The service combines live and on-demand content from across the Fox portfolio, including:
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Fox News, Fox Sports, Fox Weather, FS1, FS2
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Fox Business, Fox Deportes, Big Ten Network (B1G)
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Local Fox stations
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Fox Network programming
Fox One is priced at $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year. There are also bundling options with Fox Nation and the new ESPN service. Fox One offers features like live TV recording with no storage limits, and a "catch-up" feature that lets you hide scores and watch highlights you missed before joining a live game.
The ESPN and Fox One Bundle
While both services launched yesterday, the new ESPN and Fox One bundle will be available starting October 2. This combined package will cost $39.99 per month, offering a savings of about $10 compared to subscribing to both services individually.
The Future of Sports Streaming
The launch of these services signals a major evolution in the streaming world. It's a clear indication that content providers are recognizing the demand for more tailored options, moving away from the traditional cable model and even the bundled approach of many vMVPDs. I encourage all cord-cutters to take a close look at their current subscriptions and see if these new offerings from ESPN and Fox could provide a more cost-effective and streamlined way to access the content they truly value.
A Cord-Cutter's Financial Windfall
This is a significant development in the streaming landscape. For a long time, my go-to solution for catching live sports has been Sling TV's Orange & Blue package, which with the Sports Extra add-on, costs $75.99 per month. That's a huge expense just to get the channels I need. The arrival of this new ESPN and Fox One bundle for $39.99 per month is a complete game-changer. It gives me a potential savings of about $36 per month, which adds up to over $430 a year. My Streaming Life is about finding the most efficient and cost-effective ways to enjoy the content I love, and the arrival of ESPN Unlimited and Fox One, especially as a bundle, perfectly aligns with that goal.
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