ESPN & Fox Hit 1 Million Sign-Ups in Just Two Weeks
▼ Summary
– Despite streaming service saturation, new sports-focused services like ESPN and Fox One attracted about a million subscribers in their first 10 days.
– Most of these new subscribers signed up for ESPN, driven by the start of the NFL season and the desire to watch live football without cable.
– Fox One’s appeal lies in its livestreams from Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and local Fox affiliates, though it also includes Fox News and Fox Business.
– ESPN costs $29.99 per month and Fox One is $19.99, but Disney plans to offer a bundle of both for $39.99 starting October 2nd.
– It is uncertain whether these services will maintain their success after the football season ends, as these are only early results.
The streaming landscape continues to evolve, but one thing remains clear: live sports content drives significant subscriber growth. Recent data reveals that ESPN and Fox One collectively attracted over one million new sign-ups within their first ten days of operation. This impressive figure, reported by analytics firm Antenna, excludes users accessing the services through existing cable packages or Disney+ accounts.
Although Antenna did not break down the exact distribution between the two platforms, industry sources suggest ESPN claimed the majority of these early adopters. The timing aligns perfectly with the kickoff of the NFL season, underscoring football’s powerful influence on consumer behavior. Fox One, priced at $19.99 monthly, offers not only Fox News and Fox Business but also livestreams from Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and local affiliates, making it an appealing option for cord-cutters seeking comprehensive sports coverage.
At $29.99 per month, ESPN’s standalone service represents a premium offering, though both companies are betting on bundled packages to sustain momentum. Disney plans to introduce a combined ESPN and Fox One subscription for $39.99 starting October 2nd, a strategic move aimed at capturing a broader audience. While early numbers are promising, the true test will come after the football season concludes, when both services must demonstrate their ability to retain subscribers.
(Source: The Verge)
