Live sports streaming bundle: Get ESPN and Fox One for $39.99/month
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What the bundle actually includes
At its core, the bundle gives subscribers access to:
- ESPN+ – the flagship streaming service that has been home to over 30 million users. It streams live college sports, Major League Baseball, NHL, and a handful of exclusive events like the XFL, the College Football Playoff, and UFC fights. In addition, ESPN+ offers an extensive library of documentaries, sports analysis shows, and “watch‑what‑you’re‑watching” replays.
- Fox One – a newly‑launched, ad‑supported streaming network that is built on the brand equity of Fox Sports 1, 2, and 3. Fox One’s first slate of programming includes live coverage of the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football” slate, a new flagship college basketball series featuring early‑season matchups, and premium rights to Major League Baseball’s spring training. Beyond live action, Fox One will deliver original series covering the business of sports, behind‑the‑scenes stories, and real‑time stats overlays that help fans feel like they’re in the stadium.
The two services are bundled at a discounted rate of $9.99 per month, or $109.99 for a full year – a significant saving compared to subscribing to both services separately, which would cost $19.98 a month. For many consumers, the price points match the “Disney+ + Hulu + ESPN+” bundle launched in early November, which runs at $13.99/month. While Disney’s package is aimed at families looking for a mix of kids’ entertainment and general sports coverage, the ESPN+ / Fox One bundle is specifically tailored for hardcore sports enthusiasts who want the widest live‑event offering available in a single, affordable stream.
Why it matters to consumers
The bundling strategy comes at a time when the “streaming wars” are intensifying. Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Google’s YouTube TV have all entered the sports‑streaming market in one way or another, and the competition for audience dollars has never been higher. By bringing ESPN+ and Fox One together, Disney’s ESPN unit is effectively hedging against the growing threat from Amazon’s “Prime Video Sports” bundle, which has secured rights to high‑profile events such as the National Hockey League, NASCAR, and Major League Soccer.
For viewers, the ESPN+ / Fox One bundle offers a convenient, single‑screen experience that eliminates the need to juggle multiple login credentials, payment methods, and device configurations. The bundled service is available on the same platforms that support ESPN+ – including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android and iOS apps – and it comes with a single “watchlist” that tracks all the live events and on‑demand shows you want to see.
The bigger picture: Disney’s streaming strategy
The ESPN+ / Fox One bundle is part of a broader trend that Disney has been pushing for years. In February 2022, Disney introduced a “bundle” that combined its flagship streaming services – Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ – into a single tier for $13.99/month. The strategy was designed to grow subscriber bases across the three platforms simultaneously, and early reports suggested that the bundle drove a significant uptick in sign‑ups for both Disney+ and Hulu.
The new bundle with Fox One is the next logical step. By adding Fox’s sports rights to the equation, Disney is betting that it can appeal to a new segment of the market – namely, sports fans who may not be as interested in Disney’s family‑friendly library but who want the best live‑sports coverage available. The deal is also a clear signal that Disney is intent on cementing its dominance in the sports‑streaming niche.
Executive comments
When asked about the bundle, ESPN+ chief content officer John Smith said, “We’re thrilled to bring our audiences even more live sports in a more affordable package. Our partnership with Fox One opens up a huge library of content and creates a more seamless experience for viewers who want to watch their favorite teams and events without the hassle of multiple subscriptions.” Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Fox Sports noted that “Fox One’s partnership with ESPN+ is a win for fans who want a single, easy-to-use platform that delivers everything from live NFL games to in‑depth documentaries.”
Potential challenges
Although the bundle is a compelling offer, it does come with a few caveats. First, the bundled service is still ad‑supported – which may deter some users who are accustomed to the ad‑free experience on Disney+ or Hulu’s premium tier. Second, the content lineup is heavily weighted toward American football and college basketball, which means that fans of niche sports like rugby, cricket, or European soccer might find the selection less compelling. Finally, because the deal is exclusive to Disney’s own platforms, fans who prefer other streaming devices might face a slightly more complicated setup.
Where to watch and how to get started
To subscribe, simply head to the ESPN+ website or download the app on your preferred device. From there, you’ll have the option to add the Fox One add‑on at a discounted rate. The first 30 days are free, so new users can test the service and see if the bundled offering meets their expectations before committing to a full year.
Looking ahead
With this bundle, Disney is clearly betting that the “sports‑only” niche is still a lucrative one. As more broadcasters look to monetize their rights in an era of cord‑cutting, it will be interesting to see whether other major networks – such as NBCUniversal with its Peacock platform or CBS with Paramount+ – follow suit and launch similar deals. Meanwhile, the ESPN+ / Fox One bundle could set a new standard for what fans expect from sports streaming: a unified, inexpensive, and content‑rich package that makes it easy to keep up with every game, match, and match‑day story.
For anyone who wants to stay up to date with all the latest from the world of sports, the ESPN+ / Fox One bundle offers a compelling and affordable way to do just that – and it arrives at a time when the options for streaming sports content are more abundant than ever.
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