ESPN and Fox’s previous effort at a sports-centric streaming service was a nonstarter, but the two companies are teaming up again.
The Disney-owned ESPN and Fox announced a plan on Monday to bundle their forthcoming direct-to-consumer offerings. The ESPN streaming service (just called “ESPN”) and Fox One will be offered as a bundle beginning Oct. 2. (Both platforms are set to go live on Aug. 21.)
The ESPN-Fox One bundle will cost subscribers $40 per month; separately, ESPN streaming will run for $30 monthly and Fox One, $20 per month.
The bundle offering comes seven months after the death of Venu, a proposed sports-only streaming service that Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery had planned. The companies scuttled the service amid legal challenges and Disney’s decision to press forward with its standalone ESPN service.
The ESPN-Fox One bundle will give subscribers a wealth of sports options from the two companies, including the ESPN networks and Fox’s sports networks FS1 and FS2. Fox One also includes programming from Fox News, the Fox broadcast network and its local stations.
“Working with Fox One on this bundle offer allows us to bring ESPN’s world-class sports content to even more fans in a seamless and innovative way,” said Sean Breen, executive vp Disney Platform Distribution. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to delivering premium experiences across platforms and meeting consumers where they are — anytime, anywhere.”
Said Tony Billeter, senior vp strategy and business development for Fox Direct to Consumer, “Announcing ESPN as our first bundle partner is evidence of our desire to deliver the best possible value and viewing experience to our shared customers. Viewers will have access to an incredible portfolio of content through this bundle, including NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, college football and basketball, NASCAR, Indycar, as well as the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and more as we continue to look for opportunities to streamline the user experience, especially for the ultimate sports fan.”
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