Abstract
- ESPN’s new streaming service is launching on Aug. 21 and prices $30/month. A bundle with Disney+ and Hulu will even be accessible.
- It’s going to embody all of ESPN linear TV channels, which means you may watch a number of dwell sports activities on it. ESPN has inked extra offers with the NFL and WWE for it.
- Hulu shall be built-in into Disney+ in 2026, with Disney ceasing to report streaming subscriber numbers.
Disney introduced a number of updates for its streaming companies throughout its quarterly earnings call, with vital modifications coming quickly. Beginning with ESPN, Disney revealed that its new long-awaited ESPN streaming service will formally launch on August 21. Coincidentally, the identical day, Fox is about to launch its new standalone streaming service, FOX One.
What makes this new ESPN streaming service totally different from ESPN+ is that the all-in-one service will embody all of ESPN’s linear TV networks. Meaning all of the ESPN channels you see on TV, akin to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNEWS, and extra, shall be accessible on the platform, making it simpler to observe your favourite sports activities content material dwell.
Earlier this 12 months, it was introduced that ESPN would identify its new streaming service merely ESPN, with a month-to-month price of $30. A bundle with ESPN, Hulu, and Disney+ was additionally introduced, priced at $35 a month. Nonetheless, when ESPN launches, the bundle shall be accessible for $30 per 30 days as a particular promotion for the primary 12 months — successfully giving viewers Disney+ and Hulu at no cost for a 12 months with the brand new ESPN streamer.
ESPN has additionally inked a brand new cope with the NFL to amass the Nationwide Soccer League (NFL) Community for its new streaming service. In alternate, the NFL is receiving a ten % fairness stake in ESPN. Moreover, ESPN has signed a five-year cope with the WWE to completely function WWE occasions on ESPN, together with WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam, beginning in 2026.
Nonetheless, the Disney press drums do not finish with the announcement of ESPN’s new streaming service launching on August 21 and the NFL and WWE offers. Disney’s different main streaming service, Hulu, is about for a significant overhaul in 2026.
Disney is scrapping the standalone Hulu app
Hulu shall be “absolutely integrating” with Disney+ in 2026
Disney+ / Hulu
In June, Disney accomplished a deal to amass one hundred pc possession of Hulu after shopping for out Comcast’s remaining stake. Now, the mouse is working to maximise its full possession of Hulu. Disney has introduced that in 2026, it will likely be “absolutely integrating” Hulu into Disney+.
Meaning Hulu’s standalone app will stop to exist in 2026, and all of Hulu’s content material shall be accessible via Disney+.
“Immediately we’re asserting a significant step ahead in strengthening our streaming providing by absolutely integrating Hulu into Disney+,” CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston mentioned in ready remarks for Disney’s quarterly earnings (through Variety). “This may create a powerful package deal of leisure, pairing the highest-caliber manufacturers and franchises, nice basic leisure, household programming, information and industry-leading dwell sports activities content material in a single app.”
I can think about now, with Hulu absolutely integrating into Disney+ in 2026, that Disney will possible promote its Disney+ and Hulu bundle extra aggressively than ever.
Disney additionally introduced that Hulu will turn out to be a world model, changing the STAR tile on Disney+ worldwide. In line with Variety, a Disney consultant mentioned prospects will nonetheless be capable to buy a standalone Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions. Nonetheless, I can think about now, with Hulu absolutely integrating into Disney+ in 2026, that Disney will possible promote its Disney+ and Hulu bundle extra aggressively than ever. Disney CEO Bob Iger said that absolutely integrating Hulu into Disney+ will present an “improved buyer expertise.”
Together with all this information, Disney additionally introduced throughout its quarterly earnings name that it’ll cease reporting subscriber numbers for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. This follows Netflix’s lead, which stopped reporting subscriber numbers earlier this 12 months. Disney mentioned it’s because these numbers have turn out to be “much less significant to evaluating the efficiency of our companies.”
To recap, the brand new ESPN streaming service is about to launch on August 21. ESPN has signed new agreements with the NFL and WWE. Hulu shall be absolutely built-in with Disney+ in 2026. Disney will even cease sharing subscriber numbers for its three streaming companies.
Disney’s streaming empire has come a good distance because the launch of Disney+ in 2019, and it seems that this fall, main into 2026, shall be a pivotal time for its enterprise.
Trending Merchandise

Logitech MK540 Superior Wi-fi Keyboard and Mouse C...

ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2024) Gaming Laptop computer,...

MSI MPG GUNGNIR 110R – Premium Mid-Tower Gam...

Acer CB272 Ebmiprx 27″ FHD 1920 x 1080 Zero ...

Lenovo Latest On a regular basis 15 FHD Laptop com...
