The price of being a full-time UFC fan doubtlessly simply received slightly costlier—or presumably cheaper relying on the way you have a look at it.
On Tuesday, ESPN introduced plans to launch a brand new streaming service within the fall that features all the linear ESPN networks—ESPN, ESPN2, and many others.—with a vast plan that additionally contains all occasions from ESPN on ABC for a value of $29.99 monthly.
ESPN additionally plans on providing bundles that embody all the standalone channels together with Disney+ and Hulu for an extra value. The complete bundle is ready to run $35.99 monthly with a particular $29.99 monthly value at launch for the primary yr.
ESPN+—now being referred to as ESPN choose—is included in the price of the brand new streaming service merely being referred to as ESPN.
The brand new ESPN streaming service particularly targets those that don’t have a conventional cable or satellite tv for pc package deal that offers them entry to the linear ESPN networks. Proper now, to observe televised occasions on ESPN, ESPN2 or different networks, customers will need to have a cable or satellite tv for pc package deal.
ESPN+ remains to be going to be accessible as a standalone product at $11.99 monthly however UFC occasions or different video games airing solely on the common ESPN networks nonetheless require a cable or satellite tv for pc package deal for entry.
ESPN will even provide an annual plan for $299.99, and a no-ads choice (for Disney+ and Hulu) that runs $44.99 monthly for subscribers.
“It’s going to redefine our enterprise,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro mentioned in regards to the streaming service launch.
This announcement comes at a pivotal time in the way forward for the UFC with the promotion within the midst of a brand new broadcast rights deal renewal. The present package deal with the UFC at ESPN expires on the finish of 2025.
ESPN presently maintains exclusivity over all UFC broadcasts together with the common UFC Struggle Evening occasions in addition to all pay-per-views, that are offered via ESPN+.
The UFC had an unique negotiating interval with ESPN to strike a brand new deal, however that date got here and went with the promotion now allowed to area presents from any potential companion. The UFC is reportedly in search of $1 billion per yr underneath phrases of the brand new broadcast rights deal, which is a major improve from the $300,000 million per yr common that ESPN presently pays after hanging a seven-year cope with the promotion again in 2018.
The UFC has plenty of leverage proper now as the one main sports activities package deal accessible for potential companions for the following few years.
There’s no telling how a lot this new ESPN streaming service may impression the UFC’s resolution to presumably strike a brand new cope with the Disney-owned community with extra accessibility being added for followers. That additionally comes at a value with the brand new streaming service permitting UFC followers to doubtlessly pay for simply that single ESPN streaming package deal while not having a cable or satellite tv for pc package deal on high of that.
The precise launch date for the ESPN streaming service hasn’t been introduced but however the firm is anticipated to stand up and working within the fall earlier than the NFL schedule heats up.
