Recent developments in the streaming industry reveal that there remains a strong demand for services offering live sports. According to data from Antenna, a firm that analyzes the streaming market, both the new ESPN and Fox One streaming services attracted approximately one million new subscribers within just ten days of their launch. This figure does not account for those accessing these services via cable subscriptions or existing Disney+ memberships.
Antenna did not disclose the exact number of subscribers for each service, but reports indicate that the majority of new sign-ups were for ESPN. With the NFL season currently underway, the appeal of a service providing live football without the need for cable is understandable. Fox One includes several channels, including Fox News and Fox Business, but its main attraction lies in livestreams from Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and local Fox affiliates. The durability of this initial subscriber surge remains to be seen, particularly after the football season concludes.
ESPN’s service is priced at $29.99 per month, while Fox One is available for $19.99 monthly. Bundling these services is a key component of Disney’s strategy; the company plans to launch a combined subscription option for both ESPN and Fox One for $39.99, starting October 2. This approach suggests that despite the plethora of streaming options available, consumers may still be willing to subscribe to services that focus on live sports.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/781885/espn-fox-one-sports-streaming-one-million-signups