ESPN Unlimited Bundling Expands to Select Plans

Some pay TV subscribers can access ESPN Unlimited at no extra charge as Disney expands bundled sports streaming.

ESPN Unlimited Bundling Faces Provider Backlash

Disney unveiled ESPN Unlimited as a direct to consumer option described as all of ESPN, all in one place. Access is available on select plans from Charter Spectrum, Hulu plus Live TV, DirecTV streaming and Fubo TV, while major providers like Comcast Xfinity, Dish Network, YouTube TV and Optimum do not currently include the bundle. If ESPN Unlimited is not included in your TV provider’s package, you can still enjoy ESPN sports through your TV provider, plus Disney+ and Hulu content through standalone or bundled streaming subscriptions. Verizon’s Fios rollout is expected in the coming weeks.

Disney also markets an introductory bundle with Disney Plus and Hulu plus ESPN Unlimited for 29.99 per month for the first year. ESPN Select, a smaller option, costs 11.99 per month and offers fewer live events. The ESPN app adds features such as SC For You a personalized daily SportsCenter, ESPN Verts a vertical video feed, and ESPN StreamCenter which syncs live games with stats and automated alerts on mobile devices.

The move signals a shift toward bundle driven revenue in a crowded streaming market. By weaving ESPN into pay TV plans, Disney aims to lock in subscribers and reduce churn, while expanding ESPN reach beyond standalone streaming. This approach could strengthen ESPN’s brand as a must have channel, but it may provoke pushback from customers who cannot access the bundle and from providers negotiating terms. The new app features also reveal a push to control the viewing experience across devices, raising questions about data use and how AI narrated content will be received by fans.

Highlights

The streaming map keeps evolving as rights and bundles shift across platforms.