ESPN and Fox launched direct-to-consumer sports streaming services that include the same sports rights available to their cable customers. Both services offer multi-view live game options and new, fan-focused features: ESPN adds an in-app Fanatics merchandise store and data portals tied to ESPN Bet and ESPN Fantasy, while Fox One includes unlimited livestream recording storage, a personalized content library and short catch-up clips. Existing cable subscribers receive both services at no extra cost. The services can be bundled together for $39.99 per month and ESPN also bundles its service with Disney+ and Hulu. Both networks are positioning the services as broader content platforms and investing in leagues and rights to expand bundled offerings.
State of play: On Thursday, ESPN and Fox both unveiled their highly anticipated new direct-to-consumer services, which include all of the sports rights currently available to their cable customers. Despite their rivalry, the companies will offer consumers a chance to buy the services together in a $39.99 per month bundle, starting Oct. 2. ESPN's service, titled ESPN, includes a slew of new fan-centric features, like an in-app merchandise store powered by Fanatics, data-filled portals linked to ESPN Bet and ESPN Fantasy and a multi-view option that allows fans to watch multiple live games at once.
Fox's new service, called Fox One, also provides multi-view functionality and new features including unlimited storage for livestream recordings, a personalized content library and short clips to help users catch up on games. Both services are available to ESPN and Fox's existing cable subscribers at no extra cost. ESPN's new service is also available as a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. Between the lines: What makes both new streamers so groundbreaking is that each is built to serve as a broader content platform, rather than just a repository for their own programming and live rights.
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