ESPN to Hike Prices of Streaming Plans Next Month

ESPN is ratcheting up the price of its streaming services — just in time for the busy fall sports season. Effective Sept. 17, the Disney-owned sports giant is increasing the monthly and annual pricing for both ESPN Unlimited and the scaled-down ESPN Select. The price of ESPN Unlimited is increasing from $29.99 to $31.99/month.

The cost of the annual ESPN Unlimited is rising from $299.99 to $319.99/year. In addition to everything on the ESPN and ESPN2 linear networks includes ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, SECN, SECN+, ACCN, and ACCNX plus thousands of additional live sporting events per year. ESPN Select is going from $12.99 to $13.99/month, while the annual plan is increasing from $129.99 to $139.99/year.

ESPN Select provides some 32,000 live events annually but does not include access to the ESPN linear networks. In an Aug. 20 memo to ESPN staffers that was reviewed by Variety, chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised the team that launched the stand-alone streaming service a year ago. Early on, we have delivered,” Pitaro wrote.

While we’re still in the early innings of our direct-to-consumer journey, one year after the launch of ESPN DTC, we move forward with absolute confidence in where we are headed.” Disney has not disclosed how many subscribers have signed up for the ESPN streaming plans. College football will also kick off soon, a new LaLiga season is already underway, U.S. Open tennis begins this weekend, and so much more lies ahead.

Our rights portfolio has never been stronger, and we have strong momentum.” According to Pitaro, “maximizing access” the ESPN streaming services has been a priority, “and that focus has led to meaningful progress this year. In fact, subscribers across nearly every major pay TV provider — including recent additions Comcast Xfinity and YouTube TV — can unlock the full ESPN Unlimited tier experience on the ESPN App at no additional cost. We are also focused on supporting Disney+ by unlocking additional content for its subscribers, in service of our One Disney initiative.”