While ESPN and Fox Corp are not publicly sharing first-party data of their subscriber base with the general public, third-party data provider Antenna’s latest data suggests ESPN and FOX One are maintaining steady momentum as both networks settle into the streaming marketplace.
Following their joint August 21 launches, the platforms have now completed their first full month, with sign-up activity signaling ongoing audience curiosity and engagement.
According to Antenna, ESPN drew an estimated 2.1 million sign-ups through September 30, while FOX One brought in 1.1 million over the same period. Those figures exclude existing Disney subscribers who transitioned from other plans or users who activated access through multichannel video programming distributor partnerships.
Weekend viewing remains a clear driver for both services, with Antenna noting consistent spikes in sign-ups around major sporting events. FOX One experienced its most significant surge on September 14, coinciding with the highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
For ESPN, consumer interest appears to be leaning toward its premium tier. Antenna’s data shows roughly 57% of subscribers opted for ESPN Unlimited — the network’s flagship offering that provides full access to live games, studio programming, and on-demand content. The remaining 43% subscribed to ESPN Select, the rebranded version of ESPN+.
Bundles are also playing a crucial role in ESPN’s early success. Antenna reports that two out of every three ESPN sign-ups between August 21 and September 30 came through package deals with Disney+ and Hulu. Those bundles are available in both ad-supported and ad-free tiers, giving subscribers more flexibility while strengthening Disney’s overall streaming ecosystem.
Both networks have not detailed exact subscriber numbers for their respective services. ESPN parent company Disney has stated there won’t be any such disclosures as it said earlier this year. The company plans to stop reporting streaming subscription totals as part of quarterly earnings reports. That decision follows a similar shift made by Netflix.
Antenna’s full-month snapshot provides early evidence that sports fans are willing to follow familiar brands like ESPN and FOX into new digital spaces.
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