ESPN has announced that their ESPN Insider web-based subscription program will be merged together with ESPN+ creating one ESPN subscription offering. The price will not increase for the offering and will remain $4.99 per month of $49.99 per year.
Details Released Thus Far:
- The merging of the programs will take place over the next few weeks
- ESPN Insider subscribers will receive ESPN+ at no additional charge
- It is unknown which ESPN Insider benefits current ESPN+ subscribers will receive
- It is also not known what will happen to fans who currently subscribe to both services
Current ESPN Insider Benefits:
- Premium content from experts like Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Keith Law and others!
- Tools for fantasy sports leagues, and Tournament Challenge brackets.
- A subscription to ESPN The Magazine
Current ESPN+ Benefits:
- Ability to stream thousands of live events including Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, Serie A international soccer, Top Rank Boxing and more
- On-demand access to ESPN originals, exclusive studio shows like The Fantasy Show, and the entire library of 30 for 30 documentaries.
- ESPN+ subscribers get fewer ads across all ESPN digital products (ESPN.com, ESPN app).
What This May Mean for the Disney Streaming Service:
- If ESPN is bundling their streaming service with other offerings, it is possible the Disney streaming service would be bundled with other offerings
- Disney leaders may decide to bundle D23 memberships, annual passports, and other Disney offerings with the streaming service
- Would mirror the way subscriptions to Disney Magazine were bundled with other Disney offerings
- Disney has teased that they may bundle ESPN+, Hulu, and the Disney service into a bundle, but maintains they will be distinct offerings