After being discussed for over two years, ESPN+, not to be written as “ESPN Plus,” finally has a launch date. The new direct to consumer subscription streaming service, built by the former MLB owned company BAMTech, will be available to customers on April 12th.
“With ESPN+, fans have access to thousands more live games, world class original programs and on-demand sports content, all at a great price. They will get all of that as a part of a completely re-imagined, increasingly personalized ESPN App that provides easy, one-stop access to everything ESPN offers,” said new ESPN President James Pitaro in a press release.
For $4.99 per month ESPN subscribers will have access to ESPN+, with the option of purchasing the MLB.TV and NHL.TV out-of-market packages for an additional charge. The streaming service will offer thousands of live sporting events, many of them college games covering nearly two dozen conferences and a variety of sports including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, track & field, gymnastics, swimming & diving, lacrosse, wrestling, volleyball, golf and more.
One daily game from both Major League Baseball and the NHL will be available during their regular seasons through the service. No NBA or NFL games will be offered as of now.
ESPN+ will debut less than a week after Turner’s new sports streaming service, Bleacher Report Live, which launches April 7th with Johnny Manziel’s debut in The Spring League as its first event. Bleacher Report Live will be free to use during its beginning months.
The future pay structure for B/R Live has not been announced, but the service will offer “flexible pricing options” including pay-per-game and even the option to purchase an in-progress event at a reduced rate.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
