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Hub AI
ESPN+ AI simulator
(@ESPN+_simulator)
Hub AI
ESPN+ AI simulator
(@ESPN+_simulator)
ESPN+
ESPN+ is a brand of streaming-only sports programming primarily distributed through the ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service, both owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). The service launched on April 12, 2018.
From April 2018 to August 2025, ESPN+ was an over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, operating using technology of Disney subsidiary BAMTech, now known as Disney Streaming. As a streaming service, ESPN+ was marketed as an add-on to ESPN's core linear networks, with some of ESPN+'s content previously offered exclusively to cable subscribers via ESPN3 and the ESPN app. ESPN+ did not include access to these services, as they continued to only be available through television providers. Thus, some of ESPN's sports rights were not carried on ESPN+.
Remaining ESPN+-branded content includes combat sports (including coverage of the Ultimate Fighting Championship), college sports, hockey (including up to 50 exclusive National Hockey League games per-season and all out-of-market games), soccer, golf (including PGA Tour Live and coverage of the PGA Championship), tennis and cricket. Major League Baseball's out-of-market sports package, also operated through BAMTech, was sold through the platform as an add-on. The service also featured archive content, ESPN original documentaries and access to premium content on ESPN.com.
ESPN+ was absorbed into the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service when it launched on August 21. However, ESPN+ will remain active as a programming brand for an unspecified period of time due to contractual obligations with some of its content providers. ESPN+ will also continue to be distributed to commercial establishments as a standalone package.
In August 2016, the Walt Disney Company acquired a minority stake in BAMTech, a spin-out of MLB Advanced Media's streaming technology business, for $1 billion, with an option to acquire a majority stake in the future. It was also announced that Disney subsidiary ESPN was planning to develop an over-the-top service based on BAMTech technology as "an exploratory OTT project", drawing primarily from ESPN-owned rights for events not broadcast on television. ESPN already used BAMTech's platform for its TV Everywhere service WatchESPN. Disney CEO Bob Iger remarked that despite declines in the pay television industry due to cord-cutting, "live sports has really thrived, even in a world where there's so much more for people to do and to watch."
In August 2017, Disney invoked its option to acquire a controlling stake in BAMTech, and announced that it planned to launch its ESPN OTT service in 2018, followed by a Disney entertainment OTT service in 2019 (thus ending its relationship with Netflix). At this time, Disney stated that the new ESPN service would draw from ESPN-owned sports rights, as well as MLB, NHL and MLS content (although lacking major ESPN-owned rights such as the NBA and NFL), and that an accompanying redesign of the ESPN app would make it a "premier digital destination" for sports content. During Disney's fourth-quarter earnings call, Iger revealed that the service would be known as ESPN+. In December 2017, Disney announced its intent to acquire 21st Century Fox after the spin-off of certain businesses. The deal was to include the Fox Sports Networks group of regional sports networks (which Disney was ordered to divest under antitrust grounds), which led to suggestions that Disney wanted to incorporate FSN's regional sports rights into the service.
In February 2018, Iger stated that ESPN was aiming for a monthly price of $4.99. ESPN+ and BAMTech were placed into the newly formed Disney business segment, Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International, on March 14, 2018. On April 2, 2018, ESPN announced that ESPN+ would officially launch on April 12, 2018, and confirmed its $4.99 per-month pricing.
On August 21, 2018, ESPN.com's existing subscription service ESPN Insider was discontinued and folded into ESPN+, adding its premium web content (such as exclusive beat reports, and advanced sports statistics, analytics and fantasy sports tools) to the service. Both services shared the same monthly price, but ESPN Insider subscribers continued to receive the complimentary subscription to ESPN The Magazine that was included (until its discontinuation in September 2019), and annual subscribers were grandfathered under its previous $39.99-per-year price (as opposed to $49.99 for ESPN+).
ESPN+
ESPN+ is a brand of streaming-only sports programming primarily distributed through the ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service, both owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). The service launched on April 12, 2018.
From April 2018 to August 2025, ESPN+ was an over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, operating using technology of Disney subsidiary BAMTech, now known as Disney Streaming. As a streaming service, ESPN+ was marketed as an add-on to ESPN's core linear networks, with some of ESPN+'s content previously offered exclusively to cable subscribers via ESPN3 and the ESPN app. ESPN+ did not include access to these services, as they continued to only be available through television providers. Thus, some of ESPN's sports rights were not carried on ESPN+.
Remaining ESPN+-branded content includes combat sports (including coverage of the Ultimate Fighting Championship), college sports, hockey (including up to 50 exclusive National Hockey League games per-season and all out-of-market games), soccer, golf (including PGA Tour Live and coverage of the PGA Championship), tennis and cricket. Major League Baseball's out-of-market sports package, also operated through BAMTech, was sold through the platform as an add-on. The service also featured archive content, ESPN original documentaries and access to premium content on ESPN.com.
ESPN+ was absorbed into the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service when it launched on August 21. However, ESPN+ will remain active as a programming brand for an unspecified period of time due to contractual obligations with some of its content providers. ESPN+ will also continue to be distributed to commercial establishments as a standalone package.
In August 2016, the Walt Disney Company acquired a minority stake in BAMTech, a spin-out of MLB Advanced Media's streaming technology business, for $1 billion, with an option to acquire a majority stake in the future. It was also announced that Disney subsidiary ESPN was planning to develop an over-the-top service based on BAMTech technology as "an exploratory OTT project", drawing primarily from ESPN-owned rights for events not broadcast on television. ESPN already used BAMTech's platform for its TV Everywhere service WatchESPN. Disney CEO Bob Iger remarked that despite declines in the pay television industry due to cord-cutting, "live sports has really thrived, even in a world where there's so much more for people to do and to watch."
In August 2017, Disney invoked its option to acquire a controlling stake in BAMTech, and announced that it planned to launch its ESPN OTT service in 2018, followed by a Disney entertainment OTT service in 2019 (thus ending its relationship with Netflix). At this time, Disney stated that the new ESPN service would draw from ESPN-owned sports rights, as well as MLB, NHL and MLS content (although lacking major ESPN-owned rights such as the NBA and NFL), and that an accompanying redesign of the ESPN app would make it a "premier digital destination" for sports content. During Disney's fourth-quarter earnings call, Iger revealed that the service would be known as ESPN+. In December 2017, Disney announced its intent to acquire 21st Century Fox after the spin-off of certain businesses. The deal was to include the Fox Sports Networks group of regional sports networks (which Disney was ordered to divest under antitrust grounds), which led to suggestions that Disney wanted to incorporate FSN's regional sports rights into the service.
In February 2018, Iger stated that ESPN was aiming for a monthly price of $4.99. ESPN+ and BAMTech were placed into the newly formed Disney business segment, Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International, on March 14, 2018. On April 2, 2018, ESPN announced that ESPN+ would officially launch on April 12, 2018, and confirmed its $4.99 per-month pricing.
On August 21, 2018, ESPN.com's existing subscription service ESPN Insider was discontinued and folded into ESPN+, adding its premium web content (such as exclusive beat reports, and advanced sports statistics, analytics and fantasy sports tools) to the service. Both services shared the same monthly price, but ESPN Insider subscribers continued to receive the complimentary subscription to ESPN The Magazine that was included (until its discontinuation in September 2019), and annual subscribers were grandfathered under its previous $39.99-per-year price (as opposed to $49.99 for ESPN+).