ESPN+ subscription streaming service to launch on 12 April

Disney has set the official launch date for its eagerly awaited direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service ESPN+.

Set to kick off on 12 April, ESPN+ will feature branded content form Disney’s sports subsidiary, and at launch it will be seamlessly integrated into what the company says is a completely redesigned and re-imagined ESPN app with a subscription price of $4.99. It will offer a line-up of live sports, original content and a library of on-demand programming including live Major League Baseball; the National Hockey League and Major League Soccer; live college sports events; highly anticipated boxing events; PGA TOUR events; Grand Slam tennis events; rugby; cricket, and more.

In addition to ESPN+, the new app will include scores, news and highlights; a library of sports audio content that includes live ESPN Radio streaming and a line-up of sports podcasts; and TV everywhere video that brings authenticated live streaming of ESPN’s eight US networks and on-demand programmes directly to fans via the user’s pay-TV subscription. ESPN+ will also be available at ESPN.com.

“ESPN was built on a belief in innovation and the powerful connection between sports and a remarkable array of fans. That same belief is at the heart of ESPN+ and the new ESPN App,” said James Pitaro, ESPN president and co-chair, Disney Media Networks. “With ESPN+, fans have access to thousands more live games, world-class original programs and on-demand sports content, all at a great price. They will get all of that as a part of a completely re-imagined, increasingly personalised ESPN App that provides easy, one-stop access to everything ESPN offers.”

ESPN+ is also the first direct-to-consumer service offering from Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International, the multiplatform media, technology and distribution organisation for high-quality content created by Disney’s Media Networks and Studio Entertainment group. A Disney-branded direct-to-consumer service, offering subscription-video-on-demand viewing of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm movies, along with a host of exclusive content, will launch in late 2019. Both streaming services are powered by BAMTECH, a unit of Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International.

“The launch of ESPN+ marks the beginning of an exciting new era of innovation for our media businesses—one defined by an increasingly direct and personal relationship with consumers,” added Kevin Mayer, chairman, direct-to-consumer and international, The Walt Disney Company. “This new product reflects our direct-to-consumer strategy focused on combining our beloved brands with our proprietary, industry-leading technology to give users unparalleled access to our world-class content.”