What the New ESPN and Fox One Streaming Services Mean for You
Just when you thought you had your streaming services figured out, ESPN and FOX are about to shake up the game for sports fans.
This fall, both media giants are launching new standalone streaming services, giving you direct access to all their channels in one place. These direct-to-consumer (DTC) services are designed to cut out the cable middleman, changing how you access your favorite networks.
So, what does that actually mean for you?
With the new ESPN service (which I’ll call ESPN DTC for clarity), you’ll be able to stream the entire family of ESPN channels. Yup, that means ESPN, ESPN+, and the rest all in one subscription. And with FOX One, you’ll get a similar deal: one app that bundles your local FOX station with FS1, Big Ten Network, Fox News, and more.
On paper, getting all those channels without a cable subscription sounds like a dream. But the real question is whether the cost and content will actually make sense for your budget and TV setup.
I’ve been poring over all the details announced so far. Let’s break down everything you need to know about the new ESPN and FOX One services ahead of their fall debuts.
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What is the new ESPN DTC service?
ESPN’s new flagship service (simply called “ESPN”) is designed to cut through the noise of bloated cable packages. For years, getting the full ESPN experience required a pricey TV subscription. This service changes that by delivering the entire suite of ESPN channels directly to you in a single subscription—no big TV bundle required.
ESPN DTC will launch in Fall 2025 and cost $29.99 per month for its unlimited plan. That’s definitely pricier than streamers like Netflix or Disney+. But it’s about $15.00 less than the next-cheapest viewing option, Sling TV’s Orange plan, which only gets you ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3.
ESPN DTC
Price: $29.99/mo.
Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNews, and ESPN Deportes
Included extras: ABC on ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN3, SEC Network+, and ACC Network Extra
What do you get with ESPN DTC?
A list of channel names is one thing, but what does that actually mean for game day? It means this single subscription gets you a huge slice of the sports world. I’m talking all of Monday Night Football, a massive lineup of NBA and NHL games, the College Football Playoff, The Masters, and thousands of live college sports events.
What is FOX One?
FOX is taking a different approach with its all-in-one streaming service, FOX One. Where ESPN DTC is laser-focused on sports, FOX is bundling its entire lineup of sports, news, and entertainment.
FOX One is aimed squarely at cord-cutters watching their streaming bills creep up to cable-level prices. By offering a lean package of its most popular channels, FOX is creating a new alternative for brand-loyal viewers on a budget.
As for the specifics, FOX One will launch this fall, just in time for football season. The official price hasn’t dropped yet, but I expect it to be around the same cost as the ESPN service at roughly $30 per month. After all, FOX will want this to be attractive enough for cord-cutters without diminishing the value of its channels.
FOX One
Price: TBA
Channels: FOX, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, Fox Deportes, Fox News, Fox Business, Fox Weather, and FOX Local
Add-on option: FOX Nation
What do you get with FOX One?
The main draw of FOX One is its powerful combination of live sports, news, and local TV. On the sports front, you get marquee broadcasts like NFL on FOX and FOX College Football, plus the 24/7 content on FS1 and Fox Deportes. For news, you get live access to Fox News, Fox Business, and Fox Weather.
Crucially, the service also includes a live stream of your local FOX network. This is a game changer for cord-cutters, giving you local news and weather while also being your ticket to FOX’s iconic primetime shows. I’m talking animated hits like The Simpsons and Family Guy alongside reality staples like The Masked Singer and Hell’s Kitchen.
Will ESPN DTC & FOX One save you money?
A new, cheaper way to get your favorite channels sounds great, but whether it actually saves you money depends entirely on what you watch. And while the introductory prices for these new services look tempting, it’s smart to be cautious.
Recent history shows a clear pattern of streaming price increases, and today’s bargain can easily become tomorrow’s budget buster.
With that in mind, here’s how these new DTC services stack up against other TV options.
Comparing DTC services to traditional TV providers
| Service | Monthly price | Key content | Ideal subscribers |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN DTC | $29.99/mo. | All ESPN channels, ESPN+, and other streaming-only content | Die-hard sports fans who rely primarily on ESPN content |
| FOX One | ~$25–35/mo. (my estimate) | All Fox Corp channels w/ FOX Nation add-on option | Budget-conscious cord-cutters who are loyal to the FOX brand |
| Average live TV streaming service | ~$60+/mo. | 100+ channels, cloud DVR storage, and on-demand content | Cord-cutters who want the most channel variety |
| Average cable/satellite TV service | ~$90+/mo. | 100+ channels, internet/phone bundles, and more local/regional content | Viewers who want the highest channel counts and internet bundles |
Data effective as of post date.
Are ESPN DTC and FOX One worth it?
With new services cropping up every year, choosing how to watch TV feels like a classic Choose Your Own Adventure tale.
The good news? There’s no quicksand if you make the wrong choice. The bad news? A wrong turn could still drain your wallet. To help you find the right path, here’s a quick breakdown of your three main options.
- Get ESPN DTC if your TV diet is almost exclusively ESPN. For college football and NBA fanatics who need every game from the “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” it’s a great deal.
- Get FOX One if your main goal is to shrink your monthly bill. It’s a low-cost way to get NFL games, soccer matches, your local news, and key cable news channels.
- Stick with your current TV plan or try another option if you need channels from multiple companies. Collecting these single-serve apps like Thanos gathering Infinity Stones will cost you more than a comprehensive service like YouTube TV, especially when you need TNT or USA Network for expanded sports coverage.
What DTC services mean for the future of TV
Both services signal the start of a massive TV shake-up that will impact streaming, cable, and satellite providers. But if you think this is the final nail in the coffin for traditional TV, think again.
Media giants like Disney and FOX are trying to have it both ways, publicly reassuring their cable partners that they aren’t looking to dismantle the traditional TV system. FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch made this exact point during a May 2025 earnings call, stating their goal is not to cannibalize their cable audience.
“It would be a failure of us if we attract more connected subscribers,” explained Murdoch. “We do not want to lose a traditional cable subscriber to FOX One, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure, as much as humanly possible, that that’s the way we market, and that’s the way we plan the business.”
This strategy is already in motion. You’ll see providers offer these new DTC services in their most popular packages, much like Spectrum already does with Disney+ and ESPN+.
As this landscape continues to fracture, the CableTV.com crew and I will be here to track every change and help you make the smartest call for your TV setup.
