The move comes as ESPN seeks to regain some of the tens of millions of viewers it has lost since 2010, amid the rapid rise of streaming platforms. Disney executives say the app, which expands far beyond the limited ESPN+ service introduced in 2018, reflects the changing expectations of today’s sports audience.
“We know that fans don’t just want to watch,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro explained. “They want an experience. They want to interact.” The new platform will feature more than 47,000 live events annually, covering the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, college football, tennis, golf, and other sports. The app will be available for $30 per month, with an introductory offer that includes ad-supported versions of Disney+ and Hulu.
Customization lies at the heart of the app’s design. Users can select favorite teams and sports to receive tailored updates, including personalized versions of ESPN’s flagship “SportsCenter” news and recap show. Artificial intelligence will even generate narration in the voices of familiar ESPN anchors.
A notable innovation, called “Verts,” delivers scroll-friendly, vertical video highlights, while integrated fantasy stats appear alongside live games. For sports betting enthusiasts, the ESPN Bet tab displays live, settled, and upcoming bets for those who link their betting accounts.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has described the app as “a sports fan’s dream.” Analysts suggest the platform offers Disney an opportunity to attract viewers who no longer subscribe to traditional cable, though it is not expected to draw large numbers away from pay TV. In 2010, ESPN reached approximately 100 million homes via cable; by July of this year, that number had dropped to around 61 million.
“It’s another step in Disney’s pivot to streaming and underscores the importance of streaming to the company’s overall strategy,” said MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman.
ESPN plans to heavily promote the app, with actor John Cena starring in commercials emphasizing the message: “All of ESPN. All in One Place.” Despite the shift, pay television remains a significant part of ESPN’s revenue. For the quarter ending in June, the network generated $1 billion of Disney’s $4.6 billion operating income, with most earnings derived from cable and satellite fees and advertising.
Subscribers to traditional pay TV services will also have access to the new app. “Our goal is to bring all of our customers to the app,” Pitaro said. “Because that’s by far the best, most holistic experience we can offer.”