Bob Iger

Aug. 11 (UPI) — Disney‘s ESPN and Fox Corp. on Monday announced the two rivals are joining forces to offer a streaming service to consumers as a bundle for $39 per month starting Oct. 2.

The two media giants announced the service but last week ESPN and Fox each announced separate all-in-one streaming apps.

The services can be downloaded on devices, including cellphones and tablets, and can be accessed on smart TVs and gaming consoles.

With viewership declining on TV, including cable, media companies have turned to streaming services as a way to boost viewership and revenue. CNBC reported that sports is a way to accomplish this.

Last week, both companies announced their services — ESPN’s Direct to Consumer Unlimited Offering and Fox One — will launch on Aug. 21 before the college football and NFL seasons.

But the bundle won’t be available until October.

ESPN’s separate service will cost $29.99 month and Fox’s will be $19.99.

Also, ESPN will offer a bundle with Disney’s other streaming services, Disney+ and Hulu, for $35.99 per month.

Besides events, both companies present sports news.

The ESPN service will include live sports and programming from its TV networks, including ESPN2, the SEC Network, the ACC Network, as well as Disney-owned ABC.

ESPN also reached an agreement last week with the NFL to acquire the NFL Network, including the Red Zone.

And ESPN last week signed a deal with the WWW for U.S. rights in 2026 to its biggest wrestling events, including WrestleMania, the Royal Rumble and SummerSlam.

In all, ESPN/ABC cover 47,000 live events each year, as well as studio shows and original programming.

ESPN and ABC sports include Monday Night Football, college football and basketball, NHL, NBA, Major League Soccer, golf, tennis and motorsports.

In addition, an enhanced app will integrate game statistics, betting information, fantasy sports, multi-view options and a “personalize SportsCenter For You,” the company said.

Fox’s parent company offers Tubi and Fox Nation. Fox’s sports networks include FS1, FS2 and the Big Ten Network.

The company said Fox One won’t have original content.

Last week, Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch and Disney CEO Bob Iger said during earnings calls that they were considering offering bundle services.

Fox Sports’ coverage includes NFL, college football and basketball, Major League Baseball, FIFA World Cup, Major League Soccer, motorsports, WNBA, LIV Golf and boxing.

Three other media companies offer sports: Comcast’s NBC, Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT and Paramount Skydance’s CBS.

NBC, which has the rights to the Olympics, has Peacock streaming, and CBS offers Paramount+, services that include sports. TNT doesn’t have a specific app but its services can be bundles with other apps.

On Monday, Paramount announced plans to televise UFC events starting next year.

Aug. 6 (UPI) — ESPN announced Wednesday that it has made a non-binding agreement with the National Football League to acquire the NFL Network and some of its other media assets.

The announcement said ESPN, owned by the Walt Disney Company, bought the assets for a 10% equity stake in ESPN.

Other assets included in the purchase are NFL’s RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy, which are owned and controlled by the league.

The NFL also will continue to own and operate some of its media businesses, including NFL Films and NFL.com.

The two companies also are entering into a second non-binding agreement, under which the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property to be used by NFL Network and other assets.

“Today’s announcement paves the way for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,” said Bob Iger, CEO of Disney. “Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets, and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth and value proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell agreed.

“Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love. Whether it was debuting Thursday Night Football, televising the Combine, or telling incredible football stories through original shows and breaking news, NFL Network has delivered. The Network’s sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.”

ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro said he’s excited about the acquisition.

“This is an exciting day for sports fans. By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game — anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.”

ESPN is 80% owned by ABC, an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, and 20% by Hearst.

The agreements are subject to approval from NFL owners and government regulators.

On Tuesday, Fox announced the streaming service Fox One will go live Aug. 21 ahead of NFL season. The streaming service will broadcast some NFL games.