Topline
ESPN’s standalone streaming service will launch on August 21, the Walt Disney Company announced on Wednesday, just hours after the sports broadcaster announced a deal to purchase the NFL Network and other media assets, including the rights to distribute the NFL RedZone channel, from the football league.
The standalone service will cost viewers $29.99 per month, and will be offered in package deals with Disney+ and Hulu.
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Key Facts
ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service will cost subscribers $29.99 per month, and Disney will offer bundling options with their other streaming services, Disney+ and Hulu.
Under the nonbinding agreement announced on Tuesday night, ESPN will have the ability to bundle both the NFL Network and NFL RedZone to streaming service subscribers, Disney said on Wednesday.
Subscribers will also be able to watch additional preseason games starting next season.
As part of the deal, the NFL will acquire a 10% equity stake in ESPN, which analysts told the Associated Press could be worth as much as $2.2-$2.5 billion.
Under a separate agreement, ESPN will retain the rights to broadcast the NFL Draft, and subscribers will be able to watch both ESPN and ABC’s coverage of the draft on Disney’s three streaming services.
ESPN will also exclusively broadcast WWE Premium Live Events beginning in 2026, Disney announced.
What Will The Nfl Still Control?
The league will continue owning and operating some of its own media, Disney said on Wednesday, including its storied production company NFL Films. It will retain control of several digital media assets, including the NFL’s website and individual teams’ websites, as well as the NFL Podcast Network and the NFL FAST Channel. It will also continue owning and operating NFL RedZone, but ESPN will own “broad rights” to distribute the popular channel.