ESPN+ Brand to Remain Active Despite New ESPN DTC Service

NEW YORK, Aug. 28 (Reuters) - ESPN confirmed on Thursday that the ESPN+ brand will continue to exist as a programming tier, even after the launch of its all-in-one direct-to-consumer ESPN streaming service on Aug. 21. Under the new structure, legacy ESPN+ subscribers have been automatically converted to the lower-priced “Select” plan within the ESPN DTC platform, preserving access to overflow events and exclusive studio shows originally offered on ESPN+.

According to ESPN executives, contractual obligations with certain rights holders require the ESPN+ branding to remain in place for an unspecified period, despite the broader move to consolidate all content under the single ESPN umbrella. The “Select” tier continues to carry live combat sports (including UFC events through early 2026), out-of-market NHL games, college sports, tennis, golf feeds such as PGA Tour Live, and on-demand documentary series.

ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro emphasized that the consolidation simplifies subscription options for viewers, while still honoring existing agreements for content creators and leagues. He added that ESPN+ will eventually be fully integrated as the entry-level offering within ESPN’s two-tier DTC service, alongside the higher-priced “Unlimited” plan that includes all of ESPN’s linear cable channels and enhanced app features such as multiview, live statistics, and interactive betting tools.

Industry analysts note that maintaining the ESPN+ brand during this transitional phase helps mitigate potential subscriber churn by reassuring long-standing ESPN+ customers that their familiar content lineup remains available, even as the company pivots toward a unified streaming strategy.