CONFIRMED: Disney's New ESPN Streaming Service Will Debut This Fall

Disney had a lot to say about its latest ESPN bundle offering during the first quarter earnings call of fiscal year 2025.

©Disney

Disney was previously set to create a combined sports streaming service with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery called Venu Sports. The service, however, was ultimately canceled in early 2025 leading Disney to revamp the bundled offerings for ESPN streaming aiming to give consumers ESPN however they want it.

This new change was made in hopes of making ESPN more available in “skinnier” bundle options. During the earnings call, Disney’s CEO Bob Iger went on to say they want to make ESPN available however and wherever the consumer wants it.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Production Central

Disney is not leaving the sports streaming world by any means, though. An ESPN tile has been added to Disney+ and some ESPN content is available to all Disney+ subscribers. According to Variety, Disney is expected to launch a “stand-alone ESPN ‘Flagship’ streaming service in early fall 2025.” Plus, Disney already offers ESPN+.

Disney has stated they have the advantage of not only a menu of sports that no one else has, but they’re also able to broadcast 365 days a year — suggesting a contrast with other sports events we’ve seen popping up on other popular streaming services like Netflix.

©ESPN

Iger also went on to comment that Disney doesn’t talk about profitability for the NBA or any of their licensed sports packages. Adding “we don’t look at ratings — we’re not distracted by anything happening with ratings this season.” This appears to continue to be a marquee part of ESPN’s offerings.

The baseball dugout at ESPN Wide World of Sports

Disney’s plan to grow subscribers falls in the lap of continuing to make great content. “We’re confident that we will deliver on a consistent basis high-quality films and television over the long run,” said Iger.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

When asked about the decision to add the Sportscenter Daily Show to Disney+ rather than the ESPN flagship, Disney had an answer for this. Adding this tile to Disney+ was a step in the direction of providing consumers with a “one-app experience.” Adding SportsCenter on a tile to the Disney+/Hulu home screen is a decision made in an effort to grow engagement and give them the ability to use it as an introductory ESPN digital offer. Users will have an opportunity to subscribe to ESPN flagship right from that tile when it’s introduced.

We’ll definitely keep an eye out for updates as to how Disney’s involvement in the streaming world in general, and in sports specifically, develops. Stay tuned for more news!