ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, enhanced app, launching August 21; ESPN joins with WWE and can stream WrestleMania

ESPN introduced Wednesday that ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service and its “enhanced” ESPN App will arrive on August 21.

The launch of ESPN DTC coincides with the beginning of the faculty soccer and NFL seasons, US Open tennis, worldwide soccer, girls’s faculty soccer, volleyball, subject hockey, and extra – with the beginning of the WNBA playoffs, PLL playoffs, and NBA and NHL seasons, in addition to UFC and WWE occasions simply across the nook.

ESPN DTC will supply two plans, together with a vast plan for $29.99/month that provides followers entry to all of ESPN’s linear networks, masking 47,000 dwell occasions annually, on-demand replays, studio exhibits, unique programming and extra.

Bundling alternatives for the ESPN limitless plan with Disney+ and Hulu embody a proposal at launch for $29.99/month for the primary 12 months.

All subscribers to ESPN’s limitless plan – both by way of ESPN DTC or a conventional Pay TV supplier – could have dwell and on-demand entry to all of ESPN’s main studio exhibits plus a strong, on-demand library that includes 30 for 30 movies, ESPN Originals, replays, and extra.

SEE ALSO: Hulu to be totally built-in into Disney+ app, CEO Bob Iger declares

The improved ESPN App will embody up to date multiview choices, built-in recreation stats, betting info, fantasy sports activities and commerce.

ESPN joins with WWE; to stream WrestleMania starting in 2026

WrestleMania might be a part of ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service beginning in 2026 because of an settlement between World Wrestling Leisure and ESPN.

The deal, additionally introduced Wednesday, consists of two-night occasions reminiscent of WrestleMania and SummerSlam, plus different WWE premium dwell occasions together with Royal Rumble, Survivor Sequence and Cash within the Financial institution. WWE will produce the occasions for ESPN platforms, which is able to function their unique U.S. home residence.

“WWE has an immense, devoted and passionate fan base that we’re excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro mentioned. “This settlement, which options probably the most important WWE occasions of the 12 months, bolsters our unprecedented content material portfolio and helps drive our streaming future.”

Additionally included is the chance for ESPN to stream WWE’s pre- and post-event exhibits for all premium dwell occasions.

The announcement comes a day after ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Firm, introduced on Tuesday that it’ll formally purchase the Nationwide Soccer League (NFL) Community in a landmark settlement.

The deal — which supplies the NFL a ten% fairness stake in ESPN — consists of the NFL’s linear RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy.

ESPN contributed to this report.
The Walt Disney Firm is the dad or mum firm of ESPN and this ABC station.