ESPN launches all-in-one streaming service

ESPN has a brand new look! The sports media brand launched an all-in-one streaming service Thursday that is designed to personalize itself to the sports you watch and pay attention to.

This direct-to-consumer service and enhanced app come days after an announcement that ESPN acquired the NFL network and the rights to WWE live events.

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro says their mission is to serve sports fans anytime, anywhere, and that "this service and the enhanced ESPN App will deliver on that promise."

Pitaro sat down with ABC's Will Reeve in an interview that aired on "Good Morning America." Watch the video player above for the chairman's thoughts on ESPN's new era of sports streaming.

Here's a look at everything you need to know about the new streaming service and app.

How can viewers get the ESPN streaming service?

If cable and satellite subscribers already get ESPN+, they will automatically migrate to the new service. For cord cutters, there is an offer where they can get the ESPN unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu.

How much will the streaming service cost?

ESPN says the streaming service will appear under the title "ESPN" and cost $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year. Included features, like betting and fantasy sports, will help distinguish itself from the sports media brand's linear TV offering.

Will you be able to bundle ESPN with Disney+, Hulu, etc.?

ESPN released all the details regarding pricing for the new service:

• A bundled Disney+, Hulu and ESPN offering will be made available for $29.99 over the first 12 months


• After that period, the bundled set of three services will cost $35.99 per month with ads or $49.99 per month without ads


• A bundled ESPN and Fox offering, set for release on Oct. 2, will run $39.99 per month


• A separate bundle of ESPN and NFL+, which includes NFL RedZone, will be made available on Sept. 3 for $39.99 per month


• A lower-priced version of the streaming service featuring a narrower set of content will cost $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year.

What new features will the ESPN App have?

The network's updated mobile app will include a feature called "Verts," a swipe-able series of videos driven by a personalized algorithm that resembles social media platforms like TikTok.

A new feature called "StreamCenter" will sync a user's ESPN app and TV, allowing viewers to follow real-time stats, betting odds and shopping deals alongside a sporting event. The synced-up platforms will also enable viewers to use their mobile device as a secondary controller for the program that appears on their TV screen, the company said.

What programming will be included?

The full ESPN streaming service will include programming from the network's array of channels such as ESPN, ESPN2 and the SEC Network, among others. Original programming, documentaries and studio shows like "The Pat McAfee Show" will also be accessible for unlimited subscribers.

"All of our content, all of our networks available direct to consumer for the first time in ESPN's history," Pitaro said in an interview with ABC. "So that's 12 networks, 47,000 live events, on top of live games of our studio programming. All of our original films. Part two is we will be launching a significantly enhanced ESPN App. You'll see fantasy integration, betting integration, commerce integration."

WWE live events will also be made available on the app, the company said.

What do the NFL and WWE deals mean for ESPN's market footprint?

Live sports remains valuable property, but the NFL is the beachfront house.

For taking over NFL Network, which had also been steadily losing subscribers, ESPN gets three additional NFL games along with another outlet to air Monday night games when there are more than one, as well as the ability for its app users to get specialty highlights of their favorite players or teams. There will also be ways to access stats, betting and fantasy sports info on the app while watching games.

The WWE premium live events (they're no longer called pay-per-views) also makes sense when ESPN takes over from Peacock next year. After all, the E in ESPN stands for entertainment. As Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria pointed out when it started carrying "Monday Night Raw" earlier this year, the WWE has a multigenerational and loyal fan base that will flock to whoever carries the events.

The WWE deal applies only to the U.S. though. Netflix has the rights for overseas.

Disney is the parent company of ESPN, Disney+, Hulu, Fox and this station.

The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.