Competitive Info: ESPN Launches New DTC Service, Enhanced ESPN App.

It’s officially a new era for ESPN when it comes to making its content available.

The sports titan on Thursday launched a new direct-to-consumer streaming service, in addition to new features on the ESPN App, that for the first time will make ESPN’s full suite of 12 networks and services directly available.

In a news release, ESPN notes that the launch comes ahead of a major stretch of live programming for its networks and services, including the upcoming college football and NFL seasons, U.S. Open tennis, international soccer, men’s and women’s college soccer, volleyball, field hockey, and more. Also on the horizon are the start of the WNBA playoffs, PLL playoffs, and the NBA and NHL seasons, as well as a WWE Premium Live Event in the next few weeks.

“This is a monumental day for all of us at ESPN, for The Walt Disney Company and, most importantly, for our fans,” says Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN. “ESPN DTC and the ESPN App are a powerful combination marking a major turning point in how we serve sports fans — anytime, anywhere — for years to come. We’ve put a lot of hard work into this launch, with the full force of ESPN and Disney behind it, and we can’t wait for fans to experience all of ESPN in the ESPN App. The best part is, we’re just getting started. What we’re launching today will evolve with regular enhancements over time. As we have since 1979, we’ll continue to listen, adapt and innovate, with sports fans at the center of everything we do. There is no finish line.”

ESPN DTC will offer two plans, including an Unlimited plan for $29.99/month that gives fans access to all 12 of ESPN’s linear networks and services — ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes — in addition to ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX. This access will serve fans with more than 47,000 live events each year, plus on-demand replays, original programming, and more.