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ESPN+

{{short description|On-demand sports streaming service}}

{{Redirect|ESPN Plus|the former syndication division that previously used the on-air brand "ESPN Plus"|ESPN Events|the Latin American network formerly known as ESPN+|ESPN 2 (Latin America)|the Brazilian channel formerly known as ESPN+|ESPN (Brazil)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}

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| name = ESPN+

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| logo_alt = ESPN+'s logo

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| launched = {{Start date and age|2018|4|12}}

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| location_city = Bristol, Connecticut

| location_country = U.S.

| area_served = United States

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| owner = ESPN Inc.

| parent = Disney Streaming

| url = {{url|https://plus.espn.com/}}

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| users = {{decrease}} 24.1 million ({{As of|2024|5|7|lc=y|df=US}}){{cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-05-07 |title=Disney Gains Surprise 1.4 Million Disney+ Subscribers |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/disney-earnings-fiscal-q2-2025-streaming-profit-iger-outlook-1236388735/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

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ESPN+ is an American over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). It is one of Disney's three flagship subscription streaming brands in the United States, alongside Disney+ and Hulu, and operates using technology of Disney subsidiary BAMTech, now known as Disney Streaming.

ESPN+ is marketed as an add-on to ESPN's core linear networks, with some of ESPN+'s content previously offered exclusively to cable subscribers via ESPN3 and the ESPN app. ESPN+ does not include access to these services, as they continue to only be available through television providers. Thus, some of ESPN's sports rights are not carried on ESPN+.

Featured content on ESPN+ includes combat sports (including coverage of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Top Rank boxing), college sports, hockey (including 75 exclusive National Hockey League games per-season and all out-of-market games), soccer, golf (including PGA Tour Live and coverage of the PGA Championship), tennis and cricket. Major League Baseball's out-of-market sports package, also operated through BAMTech, is sold through the platform as an add-on. The service also features archive content, ESPN original documentaries and access to premium content on ESPN.com.

ESPN+ will be absorbed into the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service when it launches in late 2025. However, ESPN+ will remain separately active for an unspecified period of time due to contractual obligations with some of its content providers.

History

In August 2016, the Walt Disney Company acquired a minority stake in BAMTech, a spin-out of MLB Advanced Media's streaming technology business, for $1 billion, with an option to acquire a majority stake in the future. It was also announced that Disney subsidiary ESPN was planning to develop an over-the-top service based on BAMTech technology as "an exploratory OTT project", drawing primarily from ESPN-owned rights for events not broadcast on television. ESPN already used BAMTech's platform for its TV Everywhere service WatchESPN. Disney CEO Bob Iger remarked that despite declines in the pay television industry due to cord-cutting, "live sports has really thrived, even in a world where there's so much more for people to do and to watch."{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=August 18, 2016 |title=What's Behind Disney's $1 Billion Investment in Major League Baseball's Digital Arm |url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/disney-major-league-baseball-digital-deal-1201838818/ |access-date=December 18, 2016 |website=Variety}}{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Daniel |date=August 9, 2016 |title=Walt Disney Co. buys stake in video streaming service BAMTech |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-disney-earnings-20160809-snap-story.html |access-date=August 17, 2016}}

In August 2017, Disney invoked its option to acquire a controlling stake in BAMTech, and announced that it planned to launch its ESPN OTT service in 2018, followed by a Disney entertainment OTT service in 2019 (thus ending its relationship with Netflix). At this time, Disney stated that the new ESPN service would draw from ESPN-owned sports rights, as well as MLB, NHL and MLS content (although lacking major ESPN-owned rights such as the NBA and NFL), and that an accompanying redesign of the ESPN app would make it a "premier digital destination" for sports content.{{Cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=August 8, 2017 |title=Disney to End Netflix Deal, Sets Launch of ESPN and Disney-Branded Streaming Services |work=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/disney-netflix-end-acquires-bamtech-espn-ott-services-1202519917/ |access-date=August 9, 2017}} During Disney's fourth-quarter earnings call, Iger revealed that the service would be known as ESPN+.{{Cite news |last=Katz |first=A.J. |date=November 9, 2017 |title=Disney Touts 2 New Streaming Services, Including ESPN Plus and One With a Live-Action Star Wars Series |url=https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/disney-touts-2-new-streaming-services-including-espn-plus-and-one-with-a-live-action-star-wars-series/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |work=Adweek}} In December 2017, Disney announced its intent to acquire 21st Century Fox after the spin-off of certain businesses. The deal was to include the Fox Sports Networks group of regional sports networks (which Disney was ordered to divest under antitrust grounds),{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=June 27, 2018 |title=Justice Department Approves Disney's Acquisition of 21st Century Fox With Divestiture of Regional Sports Networks |url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/disney-21st-century-fox-justice-department-approval-1202859241/ |access-date=June 27, 2018 |website=Variety}} which led to suggestions that Disney wanted to incorporate FSN's regional sports rights into the service.{{Cite web |last=Frankel |first=Daniel |date=December 6, 2017 |title=Disney's pursuit of Fox RSNs could be big boost for ESPN |url=https://www.fiercecable.com/broadcasting/disney-s-pursuit-fox-s-rsns-could-be-big-boost-for-espn |access-date=December 19, 2017 |website=FierceCable}}

In February 2018, Iger stated that ESPN was aiming for a monthly price of $4.99.{{Cite news |last=Statt |first=Nick |date=February 7, 2018 |title=Disney sets price for new ESPN Plus streaming service at $4.99 per month |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/6/16981894/disney-espn-plus-streaming-service-launch-price-release-date |access-date=February 7, 2018 |work=The Verge}}{{Cite news |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=February 6, 2018 |title=ESPN Streaming Service Coming This Spring for $4.99 |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/espn-streaming-service-price-1202689709/ |access-date=February 7, 2018}} ESPN+ and BAMTech were placed into the newly formed Disney business segment, Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International, on March 14, 2018.{{Cite news |last=Wang |first=Christine |date=March 14, 2018 |title=Disney announces strategic reorganization, effective immediately |work=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/14/disney-announces-strategic-reorganization-effective-immediately.html |access-date=March 14, 2018}} On April 2, 2018, ESPN announced that ESPN+ would officially launch on April 12, 2018, and confirmed its $4.99 per-month pricing.{{Cite news |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=April 3, 2018 |title=ESPN+ will launch on April 12th for $4.99 per month |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/2/17188752/espn-plus-launching-april-12th-pricing-features-content |access-date=April 3, 2018 |work=The Verge}}

On August 21, 2018, ESPN.com's existing subscription service ESPN Insider was discontinued and folded into ESPN+, adding its premium web content (such as exclusive beat reports, and advanced sports statistics, analytics and fantasy sports tools) to the service. Both services shared the same monthly price, but ESPN Insider subscribers continued to receive the complimentary subscription to ESPN The Magazine that was included (until its discontinuation in September 2019),{{Cite web |last=Ourand |first=John |date=April 30, 2019 |title=ESPN The Magazine To Cease Publishing In September |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/SB-Blogs/Breaking-News/2019/04/ESPN-Mag.aspx |access-date=January 6, 2020 |website=Sports Business Daily}} and annual subscribers were grandfathered under its previous $39.99-per-year price (as opposed to $49.99 for ESPN+).{{Cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=August 21, 2018 |title=ESPN Insider Subscribers Being Switched to ESPN+ Streaming Service |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/espn-insider-switched-to-espn-plus-streaming-1202911642/ |access-date=August 21, 2018}}

On October 31, 2018, ESPN executive Russell Wolff was named executive vice president and general manager.{{Cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=October 31, 2018 |title=Disney Puts Longtime ESPN Exec Russell Wolff in Charge of ESPN+ Streaming Service |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/espn-russell-wolff-espn-plus-streaming-1203016265/ |access-date=November 12, 2018}} In October 2019, ESPN+ began to add pre-roll advertising to on-demand content on the service.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=October 25, 2019 |title=ESPN+ has started running pre-roll ads, frustrating paying subscribers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/25/20929372/espn-plus-pre-roll-advertising-app-bugs-crashes-subscribers |access-date=October 26, 2019 |website=The Verge}} Concurrent with the launch of Disney+ on November 12, 2019, the Disney Bundle was introduced, allowing users to subscribe to ESPN+, Disney+ and the ad-supported tier of Hulu for $12.99 per month.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=August 6, 2019 |title=Disney announces $12.99 bundle for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/6/20757626/disney-plus-espn-hulu-bundle-price-date-streaming-service |access-date=August 6, 2019 |website=The Verge}}

On October 22, 2020, it was announced that a larger amount of ESPN.com articles (primarily analysis) would become paywalled behind ESPN+. It was also announced that video simulcasts of the ESPN Radio programs The Dan Le Batard Show, Greeny, The Max Kellerman Show and Chiney & Golic Jr., as well as Jorge Ramos y Su Banda, would be moved exclusively to ESPN+ from the ESPN networks.{{Cite web |last=Feldman |first=Jacob |date=October 22, 2020 |title=ESPN to Move Writers to ESPN+ While Adding Radio Show Telecasts |url=https://www.sportico.com/business/media/2020/espn-to-move-writers-behind-paywall-1234615310/ |access-date=November 14, 2020 |website=Sportico.com}}

In March 2021, ESPN+ programming became available via the Hulu website and apps for those who are subscribed to both services, via a branded "ESPN+ on Hulu" hub.{{Cite web |last=Holt |first=Kris |date=March 11, 2021 |title=ESPN+ live sports and originals are now available on Hulu |url=https://www.engadget.com/espn-plus-hulu-disney-streaming-185356461.html |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}

In July 2022, Disney announced that the standalone monthly price of ESPN+, which reached $6.99 per month in 2021 following two smaller increases, would jump by three dollars, or 43%, to $9.99 per month beginning in late August. Observers speculated that the increase was intended to promote uptake of the Disney Bundle, which continued at the then current $13.99 price point, while remaining competitive relative to other standalone sports streaming services.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/espn-raise-price-streaming-1235317714/|title=ESPN+ Monthly Subscription to Rise $3 as Disney Strives for Streaming Profits|first=Brian|last=Steinberg|work=Variety|date=July 15, 2022|access-date=July 18, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/375739/disney-hikes-espn-solo-sub-43-to-help-boost-bund.html|title=Disney Hikes ESPN+ Solo Sub 43% To Help Boost Bundle Uptake|first=Karlene|last=Lukovitz|work=Digital News Daily|publisher=MediaPost|date=July 18, 2022|access-date=July 18, 2022}}

Following a carriage agreement with Spectrum in September 2023, ESPN+ became available to Spectrum TV Select Plus subscribers at no additional charge; the agreement was also stated to include distribution rights to a future ESPN "flagship" streaming service, expected to launch in 2025, which would be a superset of both ESPN+ and the programming exclusive to ESPN's linear networks.{{cite web |last=McCaskill |first=Steve |date=September 12, 2023 |title=ESPN restored to 15m homes after Disney and Charter reach new carriage deal |url=https://www.sportspro.com/broadcast-ott/ott-and-digital/espn-charter-tv-spectrum-carriage-streaming-cable/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |work=SportsPro}}{{cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=February 7, 2024 |title=Disney Reveals Timing Of ESPN Stand-Alone Streaming Launch |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/disney-espn-streaming-launch-date-bob-iger-1235818372/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |work=Deadline}}{{cite web |last1=Toonkel |first1=Jessica |last2=Krouse |first2=Sarah |date=May 18, 2023 |title=ESPN Plans to Stream Flagship Channel, Eyeing Cable TV's Demise |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/espn-lays-plans-to-stream-flagship-channel-eyeing-cable-tvs-demise-ad0fb727 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230521195449/https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/espn-lays-plans-to-stream-flagship-channel-eyeing-cable-tvs-demise-ad0fb727 |archive-date=May 21, 2023 |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}{{cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=October 17, 2024 |title=ESPN Flagship Streamer Will Include ESPN+ |url=https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/espn-flagship-streamer-include-espn-plus-1236181793/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |work=Variety}}

In December 2024, ESPN+ programming became available via the Disney+ website and apps for those who are subscribed to the services, via a branded ESPN hub; the hub also includes ESPN programming simulcast on Hulu.{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Josh |date=2024-11-15 |title=ESPN programming launches on Disney+ in December |url=https://www.sportspro.com/news/disney-plus-espn-programming-subscribers-q4-financials-reliance-star-merger-november-2024/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}

In May 2025, Disney announced that the ESPN+ service would be effectively subsumed by the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service, with existing subscribers automatically becoming subscribers to the "Select" tier of the new ESPN DTC service. However, ESPN+ will remain separately active for an unspecified period of time due to contractual obligations with certain content providers, including Bundesliga, La Liga, and the UFC.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/espn-launch-29-99-per-month-streaming-service-1236395311/|title=ESPN’s New $29.99 Per Month Streaming Service to Launch in Fall|author=|work=Variety|date=May 13, 2025|access-date=May 13, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/05/13/espn-reveals-details-around-dtc-service-espn/|title=ESPN reveals details around DTC service ... ESPN|first=Mollie|last=Cahillane|work=Sports Business Journal|date=May 13, 2025|access-date=May 13, 2025}}

Programming

ESPN+ initially focused on overflow content, similar to that of ESPN3 (which is distributed to subscribers of participating internet and television subscribers). Some of ESPN3's content has since moved to ESPN+.{{Cite web |title=ESPN+ Programming Overview |url=https://dtcimedia.disney.com/espn-plus/programming |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929100321/https://dtcimedia.disney.com/espn-plus/programming |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=August 29, 2020 |website=dtcimedia.disney.com}} It has since been incorporated more extensively into ESPN's later media rights deals. Its launch content included boxing (including Top Rank events and archive content through 2025, and includes 36 exclusive fight cards),{{Cite news |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=August 2, 2018 |title=ESPN Sets Landmark Boxing Deal With Top Rank Through 2025 |work=Deadline |url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/espn-sets-landmark-boxing-deal-with-top-rank-through-2025-1202438747/ |access-date=August 2, 2018}} college sports events (including Ivy League events, with the conference having reached a 10-year media rights deal with ESPN prior to the service's launch),{{Cite news |date=April 4, 2018 |title=ESPN, Ivy League announce 10-year deal to air games on new ESPN+ |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/23030560 |access-date=November 1, 2024 |work=ESPN.com}} coverage of Tennis Grand Slams, as well as international cricket (India national cricket team, Cricket Ireland and New Zealand Cricket), soccer (including Major League Soccer, the United Soccer League, the U.S. Open Cup,{{Cite web |last=Rigdon |first=Jay |date=April 5, 2019 |title=ESPN+ signs deal for exclusive U.S. Open Cup rights through 2022 |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/soccer/espn-signs-deal-with-u-s-soccer-for-exclusive-u-s-open-cup-rights-through-2022.html |access-date=April 5, 2019 |website=Awful Announcing}} 2019 Copa America,{{Cite web |last=Carp |first=Sam |date=May 29, 2019 |title=Copa America rights snaffled by ESPN+ |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/copa-america-us-rights-espn-plus/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=SportsPro}} the English Football League (including Cup), Serie A,{{Cite news |date=August 7, 2018 |title=ESPN enters into multi-year deal with Italy's Serie A |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/espn-enters-into-multi-year-deal-with-italys-serie-a/2018/08/07/dc6c3890-9a91-11e8-a8d8-9b4c13286d6b_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223428/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/espn-enters-into-multi-year-deal-with-italys-serie-a/2018/08/07/dc6c3890-9a91-11e8-a8d8-9b4c13286d6b_story.html |archive-date=August 21, 2018 |access-date=August 21, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |agency=Associated Press}} Eredivisie, A-League, FFA Cup, W-League, FA Cup and UEFA Nations League) and College Rugby.{{Cite news |last=Theisen |first=Lauren |date=April 2, 2018 |title=ESPN's New $4.99-A-Month Service Is Taking Away Some Programming On ESPN3 |url=https://deadspin.com/espns-new-4-99-a-month-service-is-taking-away-some-pro-1824262409 |access-date=April 3, 2018 |work=Deadspin}} In October 2018, ESPN+ obtained the rights for the Swedish Allsvenskan and the Danish Superliga as well, declaring their intent to broadcast one match per week for each league.{{Cite web |last=Nwulu |first=Mac |date=October 2, 2018 |title=ESPN+ and ESPN Acquire Rights to Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana |url=https://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2018/10/espn-and-espn-acquire-rights-to-coppa-italia-and-supercoppa-italiana/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=espnmediazone.com}} In February 2021, ESPN+ obtained the rights for the Belgian Pro League, and are expected to broadcast 3 matches per week.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Christopher |date=February 12, 2021 |title=ESPN+ adds Belgium Pro League to growing portfolio of soccer rights |url=http://worldsoccertalk.com/2021/02/12/espn-adds-belgium-pro-league-to-growing-portfolio-of-soccer-rights/ |access-date=February 12, 2021 |website=World Soccer Talk}}

ESPN+ features out-of-market Major League Soccer matches at no additional charge for subscribers (replacing the previous MLS Live service),{{Cite news |last1=Soshnick |first1=Scott |last2=Palmeri |first2=Christopher |name-list-style=and |date=February 13, 2018 |title=ESPN's Web Service Gains Exclusive Pro Soccer Rights |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-13/espn-s-web-service-is-said-to-gain-exclusive-pro-soccer-rights |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 13, 2018 |work=Bloomberg.com}}{{Cite web |title=How to watch out-of-market MLS matches in 2018 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/03/02/how-watch-out-market-mls-matches-2018 |access-date=March 4, 2018 |website=MLSSoccer.com |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306173431/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/03/02/how-watch-out-market-mls-matches-2018 |url-status=dead }} and the service held exclusive rights to all regionally televised Chicago Fire matches through 2020 (as the second MLS team, behind Los Angeles FC's deal with YouTube TV, to sell its regional rights to a streaming service).{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2018 |title=FAQs: Chicago Fire on ESPN+ |url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/faqs-chicago-fire-espn |access-date=November 1, 2024 |publisher=Chicago Fire}}{{Cite news |last=Pimiento |first=Juan |title=Chicago Fire sign exclusive TV deal with ESPN+ streaming service |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/90minutes/mls/ct-90mins-chicago-fire-sign-exclusive-tv-deal-with-espn-20180309-story.html |access-date=March 10, 2018}} As of the 2021–22 season, ESPN+ carries out-of-market National Hockey League games under the NHL Power Play on ESPN+ banner (replacing the previous NHL.tv service).{{Cite news |date=March 10, 2021 |title=NHL back on ESPN with 7-year multiplatform deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31039351 |access-date=March 11, 2021 |work=ESPN}}{{Cite news |last=Draper |first=Kevin |date=March 11, 2021 |title=N.H.L. Returns to ESPN in a 7-Year Deal With an Emphasis on Streaming |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/hockey/hockey-nhl-espn-disney.html |access-date=September 18, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Lucia |first=Joe |date=2022-10-07 |title=ESPN is rebranding the NHL out of market package as 'NHL Power Play on ESPN+' |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-is-rebranding-the-nhl-out-of-market-package-as-nhl-power-play-on-espn.html |access-date=2022-10-07 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}} MLB.tv is also available for purchase within the ESPN+ platform, and offers daily games during their regular seasons.

PGA Tour Live (which was also run by BAMTech) was included for the 2018 PGA Tour season, but moved to NBC Sports Gold in 2019.{{Cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=July 31, 2018 |title=NBC Sports, PGA Tour Ink Three-Year Deal for Live-Streaming Golf Subscription Package (EXCLUSIVE) |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/nbc-sports-pga-tour-live-streaming-golf-1202890182/ |access-date=August 21, 2018}} ESPN+ will offer supplemental feeds during the PGA Championship beginning 2020, including during CBS broadcast windows.{{Cite news |last1=Ourand |first1=John |last2=Lombardo |first2=John |name-list-style=and |date=October 10, 2018 |title=PGA Championship Leaving TNT For ESPN In '20, Re-Ups With CBS |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2018/10/10/Media/PGA-Championship.aspx |access-date=October 10, 2018 |work=Sports Business Daily}} In 2022, PGA Tour Live returned to ESPN+ as part of a new long-term deal through 2030.{{Cite web |last=Crupi |first=Anthony |date=March 9, 2020 |title=CBS, NBC re-up with the PGA Tour in a 9-year, $6.3 billion deal |url=https://adage.com/article/media/cbs-nbc-re-pga-tour-9-year-63-billion-deal/2243056 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=adage.com}}

In March 2019, the American Athletic Conference announced a 12-year media rights deal with ESPN, under which ESPN+ will carry the majority of events not aired by ESPN's linear channels.{{Cite web |last=Bucholtz |first=Andrew |date=March 19, 2019 |title=ESPN signs 12-year, $1 billion deal with AAC, moves lots of games to ESPN+ |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/ncaa/espn-1-billion-deal-aac-espn-plus.html |access-date=May 3, 2019 |website=Awful Announcing}}{{Cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Michael |last2=Ourand |first2=John |name-list-style=and |date=March 19, 2019 |title=AAC, ESPN Agree To 12-Year Media-Rights Deal Worth $1B |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Daily/Closing%20Bell/2019/03/19/AAC.aspx |access-date=May 3, 2019 |website=sportsbusinessdaily.com}}{{Cite web |last=Murschel |first=Matt |title=AAC leader Mike Aresco touts new media rights deal, addresses ESPN+ criticism |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college-gridiron-365/os-sp-aac-aresco-0502-story.html |access-date=May 3, 2019 |website=Orlando Sentinel|date=April 28, 2019 }} In May 2019, it was announced that ESPN+ would carry 18 World TeamTennis matches.{{Cite web |last=World TeamTennis |title=WTT 2019: HOW TO WATCH WORLD TEAMTENNIS |url=https://wtt.com/tag/broadcast/ |access-date=June 21, 2019 |website=World TeamTennis}} In September 2019, ESPN+ announced its acquisition of rights to Germany's Bundesliga soccer league beginning in 2020, under a six-year deal.{{Cite web |last=Lawler |first=Richard |date=October 2, 2019 |title=ESPN+ snags US rights to Bundesliga soccer starting in 2020 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/10/02/bundesliga-espn-plus/ |access-date=March 1, 2020 |website=Engadget}}

In the 2019–20 season, ESPN+ acquired the third-tier media rights for all but two Big 12 Conference teams; these telecasts are carried under the branding Big 12 Now. The deal excluded the Oklahoma Sooners—whose third-tier rights were held by the SoonerSports.tv streaming service and Bally Sports Oklahoma, and the Texas Longhorns—who have an existing agreement with ESPN and IMG College to run Longhorn Network.{{Cite news |last=Moyle |first=Nick |date=July 15, 2019 |title=Big 12 notes: Conference gets presence on ESPN+ |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/college/article/Big-12-notes-Conference-gets-presence-on-ESPN-14097748.php |access-date=September 13, 2020 |newspaper=Houston Chronicle}}{{Cite web |last=Impey |first=Steven |date=April 11, 2019 |title=ESPN's expanded Big 12 rights deal adds OTT extension |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/espns-expanded-big-12-rights-deal-adds-ott-extension |access-date=September 13, 2020 |website=SportsPro Media}}

During the 2020 Major League Baseball season's Wild Card Series round, ESPN+ aired Squeeze Play—which featured live look-ins and analysis of the seven series ESPN held rights to (in a similar manner to the ESPN Bases Loaded service it offered during the NCAA baseball tournament), as well as Statcast broadcasts of selected games.{{Cite web |last=Dachman |first=Jason |date=September 29, 2020 |title=MLB Postseason: ESPN Modifies REMI Model To Produce Up to 21 Wild Card Games in Four Days |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2020/09/29/mlb-postseason-espn-deploys-modified-remi-model-to-produce-up-to-21-wild-card-games-in-four-days/ |access-date=October 7, 2020 |website=Sports Video Group}}{{Cite web |last=Rosenthal |first=Phil |title=Jason Benetti — with 6 screens and pizza — will do ESPN Plus Statcast streams for the postseason from his living room: 'I'm thinking I might do thin crust' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/white-sox/ct-cb-white-sox-jason-benetti-mlb-playoffs-statcast-espn-20200929-eoq5u4kzf5g2lpxjd5dzcmwcg4-story.html |access-date=October 7, 2020 |website=chicagotribune.com|date=September 29, 2020 }}

On March 10, 2021, ESPN re-acquired rights to the National Hockey League under a new seven-year deal beginning in the 2021–22 season. Under this contract, ESPN+ holds exclusive rights to at least 50 games per-season, which are also available on Hulu, simulcast rights to select ESPN games and all games on ABC (including the NHL All-Star Game and the Stanley Cup Finals in selected seasons). ESPN+ also streams all out-of-market games under the "NHL Power Play" branding.

A week later, as part of ESPN's renewal of its rights to the NFL, ESPN+ gained simulcast rights to Monday Night Football broadcasts beginning in the 2021 NFL season. Beginning in 2022, ESPN+ holds exclusive rights to one NFL International Series game per-season in a Sunday morning window.{{Cite web |date=March 18, 2021 |title=NFL announces TV deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Amazon |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31088098 |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |last=Bucholtz |first=Andrew |date=March 18, 2021 |title=NFL completes network/Amazon rights deals through 2033, bringing in $10 billion per year along the way |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/nfl-amazon-network-rights-2033-10-billion.html |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=Awful Announcing}}

In September 2021, Disney began to wind down the U.S. version of Hotstar, a streaming service targeting Indian Americans, and migrated its content exclusively to ESPN+ and Hulu. This, in particular, included its rights to home matches of the India national cricket team and Indian Premier League, which had been sub-licensed to ESPN+ via its sister network Star Sports.{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Disney Shifts Hotstar Programming To ESPN+ And Hulu; Stand-Alone Hotstar U.S. Service To Sunset In 2022 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/disney-hotstar-streaming-us-shifts-to-espn-plus-hulu-cricket-bollywood-1234824160/ |access-date=September 2, 2021 |website=Deadline}}

On April 8, 2022, ESPN announced a deal with the Savannah Bananas to livestream two games of their Banana Ball World Tour on April 8 and 9.{{Cite press release |title=Exclusively Streaming Live on ESPN+: Savannah Bananas Banana Ball World Tour on April 8 & 9 |date=April 8, 2022 |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/04/exclusively-streaming-live-on-espn-savannah-bananas-banana-ball-world-tour-on-april-8-9/|last=Wilson |first=Olivia|publisher=ESPN Press Room}}

In May 2022, ESPN announced its acquisition of the third-tier media rights to Oklahoma Sooners athletics; the events will be carried on ESPN+ under the "SoonerVision on ESPN+" branding, and will include one exclusive football game per-season (which had previously been distributed by Bally/Fox Sports pay-per-view). The deal will be in effect through the 2024–25 athletics season, after which the Sooners will exit the Big 12 and move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC)—whose media rights are fully-owned by ESPN.{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2022 |title=ESPN+ and OU Announce Multi-Year 'SoonerVision on ESPN+' Agreement |url=https://soonersports.com/news/2022/5/5/athletics-espn-and-the-university-of-oklahoma-announce-multi-year-soonervision-on-espn-agreement.aspx |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=University of Oklahoma}}{{Cite web |last=Bucholtz |first=Andrew |date=May 5, 2022 |title=Oklahoma's PPV football game is going away |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/ncaa/oklahoma-espn-ppv-sooner-sports-tv-bally-sports.html |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Awful Announcing}} Later that month, ESPN announced a rights agreement with the Northwoods League to stream select games of their 2022 season each day exclusively on ESPN+, along with the Northwoods League All-Star Game, the Major League Dreams Showcase, the League playoffs and Summer Collegiate World Series.{{Cite press release |title=Northwoods League Announces Streaming Rights Agreement with ESPN+ |publisher=ESPN Press Room |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/05/northwoods-league-announces-streaming-rights-agreement-with-espn/ |last=Wilson |first=Olivia}}{{cite web |date=May 26, 2022 |title=Northwoods League hits ESPN+ this year |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2022/05/26/northwoods-league-hits-espn-this-year/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=Ballpark Digest}}

= UFC =

In May 2018, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced new five-year digital and linear television rights deals with ESPN, effective January 2019. 20 UFC on ESPN+ Fight Night cards per year are streamed exclusively by the service, as well as preliminaries for 10 UFC on ESPN Fight Night cards per year. ESPN+ will also hold rights to supplemental content such as Dana White's Contender Series, archive content and PPV encores, and offer sales of UFC Fight Pass within the platform.{{Cite news |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=May 8, 2018 |title=ESPN Enters The Octagon With UFC Streaming Deal |work=Deadline |url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/espn-enters-the-octagon-with-ufc-streaming-deal-1202384835/ |access-date=May 8, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=A.J. |date=May 23, 2018 |title=Report: ESPN wrestles UFC television-rights deal away from Fox Sports |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2018/05/23/espn-ufc-television-rights-deal/635801002/ |access-date=May 23, 2018 |work=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Company}}{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Mookie |date=May 23, 2018 |title=Report: ESPN lands UFC television rights deal, reportedly worth $150 million per year |url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2018/05/23/report-espn-ufc-tv-rights-deal-300-million-mma-news/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |work=Bloody Elbow}} The first ESPN+ event, UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw, generated 525,000 new subscribers on the day of the event alone.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Mookie |date=January 21, 2019 |title=UFC's ESPN+ debut pulls in 525,000 new subscribers on Saturday night |url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2019/01/21/ufc-espn-debut-525000-new-subscribers-saturday-night-mma-news/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=Bloody Elbow}}

On March 18, 2019, it was announced that ESPN had reached a two-year extension of its contract with the UFC. Beginning with UFC 236, ESPN+ became the exclusive U.S. distributor of all UFC pay-per-view events for residential customers; they are no longer sold through television providers, and viewers must have an ESPN+ subscription in order to buy them.{{Cite web |last=Ourand |first=John |date=March 18, 2019 |title=ESPN Extends With UFC; ESPN+ Becomes Exclusive PPV Provider |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/en/Daily/Closing%20Bell/2019/03/18/ESPN%20UFC.aspx |access-date=March 18, 2019 |website=Sports Business Daily}}

= Rights=

== Cricket ==

== Association football (soccer) ==

=== United States ===

=== Canada ===

=== Europe ===

Spain

England

Germany

Netherlands

Sweden

Belgium

=== Other ===

== Auto racing ==

  • Formula One (Eighteen races on ESPN+, including the Miami Grand Prix, U.S. Grand Prix and Las Vegas Grand Prix as of 2023){{cite press release|last=Hall|first=Andy|title=ESPN Kicks Off 2023 Formula 1 Season This Week with Expanded Coverage, New Content|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/02/espn-kicks-off-2023-formula-1-season-this-week-with-expanded-coverage-new-content/|publisher=ESPN|date=February 28, 2023|access-date=March 2, 2023}}
  • Formula Two
  • Formula Three
  • Porsche Supercup
  • F1 Academy

==== Baseball ====

== American Football ==

== Basketball ==

== Combat sports ==

  • Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • All UFC pay-per-view events (requires additional purchase)
  • 20 exclusive ESPN+ Fight Night cards per year
  • Preliminaries for 10 ESPN Fight Night cards per year
  • Archive and supplemental content
  • Top Rank boxing (through 2025)
  • 12 exclusive primetime cards per year
  • 24 exclusive international cards per year
  • Preliminaries for 18 Top Rank Boxing on ESPN cards per year
  • Archive and supplemental content
  • Professional Fighters League

== Esports ==

== Golf ==

== Ice hockey ==

== Lacrosse ==

  • World Lacrosse Championship
  • National Lacrosse League
  • Premier Lacrosse League{{cite web |last=Ufnowski |first=Amy |date=March 23, 2022 |title=The Premier Lacrosse League and ESPN Announce Multi-Year Media Rights Agreement |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/03/the-premier-lacrosse-league-and-espn-announce-multi-year-media-rights-agreement/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=espnpressroom.com}}

== Rugby Union ==

== Tennis ==

== Yachting ==

== Others ==

== College sports ==

=== American football ===

====FBS====

====FCS====

==== Division II ====

==== Division III ====

== Basketball ==

===[[National Collegiate Athletic Association|National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)]] ===

= Original programming =

ESPN+ also carries ESPN original programming and documentaries, such as the 30 for 30 franchise (with some premiering on ESPN+ prior to their premiere on ESPN), and exclusive original series and studio programs:

  • Detail – A franchise of programs featuring analysis of sports by associated players. The initial, basketball version of the series was hosted and produced by Kobe Bryant{{Cite news |last=Putterman |first=Alex |date=April 5, 2018 |title=Kobe Bryant to produce and star in new basketball analysis show 'Detail,' to air on ESPN+ |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-to-debut-kobe-bryant-produced-basketball-show-detail.html |access-date=November 1, 2024 |work=Awful Announcing}} until his death in January 2020. In October 2018, ESPN announced that Peyton Manning would host an NFL version of the program.{{Cite news |last=Bupp |first=Phillip |date=October 17, 2018 |title=Peyton Manning to host NFL themed "Detail" show on ESPN+ |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/peyton-manning-will-host-eight-episodes-of-an-nfl-themed-version-of-detail-on-espn.html |access-date=October 18, 2018 |work=Awful Announcing}} On June 29, 2019, ESPN announced a mixed martial arts version of the program hosted by Daniel Cormier.{{Cite web |last=Raimondi |first=Marc |date=June 30, 2019 |title=Inside Daniel Cormier's mind for breaking down fight film |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/27084918 |access-date=March 1, 2020 |website=ESPN.com}} Golden State Warriors head coach and former Chicago Bulls player Steve Kerr, along with former Bulls coach Phil Jackson, hosted special episodes focused on the Michael Jordan-led Bulls dynasty in the 1990s, as a tie-in for the ESPN documentary miniseries The Last Dance.{{Cite web |last=Manrique |first=Bruno |date=April 17, 2020 |title=Phil Jackson to Break Down Game 3 of 1998 NBA Finals on Kobe Bryant's 'Detail' |url=https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-news-phil-jackson-to-break-down-game-3-of-1998-nba-finals-in-kobe-bryants-detail |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=clutchpoints.com}}
  • ESPN FC – A studio program focusing on soccer; it moved from airing on the networks to exclusively being on ESPN+.{{Cite news |last=Bupp |first=Phillip |date=April 6, 2018 |title=ESPN reveals entire soccer programming setup for ESPN+ that include MLS, UEFA matches and exclusive documentaries |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-soccer-programming.html |access-date=November 1, 2024 |work=Awful Announcing}}
  • In The Crease – a daily Stanley Cup playoffs highlight and discussion show hosted by Arda Ocal{{Cite news |last=Putterman |first=Alex |date=April 13, 2018 |title=Quest for the Stanley Cup moves from Showtime to ESPN+ |url=http://awfulannouncing.com/nhl/quest-for-the-stanley-cup-moves-from-showtime-to-espn-which-will-also-carry-daily-hockey-show.html |access-date=May 8, 2018 |work=Awful Announcing}}
  • Quest for the Stanley Cup – A documentary series following the Stanley Cup playoffs (moved from Showtime)
  • Last Train to Russia – A documentary series previewing the 2018 FIFA World Cup{{Cite news |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=April 7, 2018 |title=ESPN+ To Live Stream Hundreds of Soccer Matches |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/espn-stream-soccer |access-date=November 1, 2024 |work=nexttv.com}}{{Cite news |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=April 12, 2018 |title=Disney kicks off its streaming future today with ESPN+ |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/12/17226998/espn-plus-preview-hands-on-features-disney-streaming |access-date=April 13, 2018 |work=The Verge}}{{Cite news |last=Long |first=Michael |date=December 14, 2017 |title=The Long Read: Will Disney's push over the top see ESPN reclaim the summit? |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/insights/opinions/sportspro-blog/the-long-read-will-disneys-push-over-the-top-help-espn-reclaim-the-summit/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |work=SportsPro}}
  • Year One – A documentary series following the 2017–18 NBA rookie class, featuring Jayson Tatum, Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell
  • MLS Rewind – A weekly recap of Major League Soccer action, hosted by Taylor Twellman and featuring analysis from Alejandro Moreno
  • I'll Take That Bet – A series focusing on sports betting, in conjunction with The Action Network{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Michael |date=June 12, 2018 |title=TV networks will be panning for talent as part of the rush to claim gambling gold |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nfl/news/sports-betting-television-scott-van-pelt-bad-beats-espn-sportscenter-gambling-brent-musburger-vsin-matthew-berry-fantasy/5jy7bi746rwz1vel2qwjmeq5c |access-date=November 1, 2024 |work=Sporting News}}
  • Ariel and the Bad Guy – A weekly mixed martial arts discussion show hosted by Ariel Helwani and Chael Sonnen
  • The Fantasy Show – A fantasy football analysis show hosted by Matthew Berry. Originally aired on ESPN2 in its first season.
  • Always Late with Katie Nolan – A late-night talk show-inspired series hosted by Katie Nolan, serving as a successor to her previous Fox Sports 1 program Garbage Time.{{Cite news |last=Lucia |first=Joe |date=May 2, 2018 |title=New ESPN digital shows include Katie Nolan late night show, daily SportsCenter series in ESPN app |work=Awful Announcing |url=http://awfulannouncing.com/espn/new-espn-digital-shows-include-katie-nolan-late-night-show-daily-sportscenter-series-in-espn-app.html |access-date=September 3, 2018}} The start of its second season in late September 2019 saw it carried on ESPN2 on Thursday evenings as well.{{Cite news |last=Marchand |first=Andrew |date=September 5, 2019 |title=ESPN's plan to reignite Katie Nolan's show |work=The New York Post |url=https://nypost.com/2019/09/05/espns-plan-to-reignite-katie-nolans-show/ |access-date=September 16, 2019}} The series was cancelled in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Rigdon |first=Jay |date=2021-07-06 |title=Katie Nolan confirms Always Late was canceled last year |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/katie-nolan-confirms-always-late-was-canceled-last-year.html |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}
  • Peyton's Places – A documentary series hosted by former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning.{{Cite web |date=April 15, 2019 |title=Peyton Manning to Host New ESPN+ Original Series "Peyton's Places" |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/04/15/peyton-manning-to-host-new-espnplus-original-series-peytons-places-840013/20190415espn01/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=The Futon Critic}} The franchise expanded to include spin-offs hosted by Eli Manning (college football), Abby Wambach (soccer), Vince Carter (basketball), John McEnroe (tennis) and Ronda Rousey (combat sports).
  • NFL PrimeTime – Hosted by Chris Berman and Tom Jackson, a digital-only version of the popular NFL highlight show that aired on ESPN for nearly 30 years. The program airs live at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday nights during the regular season, recapping the afternoon's games. The show is updated with segments recapping the Sunday and Monday-night games after their completion, which are respectively hosted by Scott Van Pelt, Steve Levy and, previously, Joe Tessitore.{{Cite web |last=Lucia |first=Joe |date=September 13, 2019 |title=NFL Primetime is returning to ESPN, but behind the ESPN+ paywall |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/nfl-primetime-is-returning-to-espn-but-behind-the-espn-paywall.html |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=Awful Announcing}}{{Cite web |last=Yoder |first=Matt |date=September 17, 2019 |title=Does the new NFL Primetime on ESPN+ still hold up in today's streaming world? |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/does-the-new-nfl-primetime-on-espn-still-hold-up-in-todays-streaming-world.html |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=Awful Announcing}}
  • Miles to Go – a documentary series following Les Miles, coach of the Kansas Jayhawks football team.{{Cite web |last=Schwegman |first=Huntyr |title=ESPN+ documentary 'Miles to Go' premieres, follows Kansas football into new era |url=https://www.kansan.com/sports/espn-documentary-miles-to-go-premieres-follows-kansas-football-into-new-era/article_8c2e8816-ca2d-11e9-8fb2-d3c23eba7ddc.html |access-date=September 13, 2020 |website=The University Daily Kansan|date=August 29, 2019 }}
  • Fútbol Americas – A breakdown and analysis of soccer from a North American perspective, with highlights from North American leagues (mostly MLS, Liga MX and NWSL), as well as national teams, CONCACAF competitions and North American players playing abroad in Europe. Hosted by Sebastian Salazar and Herculez Gomez, with new episodes every Monday and Thursday.{{Cite press release |title=Exclusively on ESPN+: Futbol Americas Premieres March 8 |date=March 4, 2021 |publisher=ESPN Press Room U.S. |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2021/03/exclusively-on-espn-futbol-americas-premieres-march-8/ |last1=Lopez |first1=Isabelle |access-date=June 9, 2021}}
  • The Breakdown with Peyton and Belichick - Hosted by Peyton Manning and Bill Belichick, a breakdown and analysis of upcoming Monday Night Football games during the NFL season. New episodes premiere during weeks when the MNF game features the Manningcast.

= Other programming =

ESPN+ for Business

In January 2021, Joe Hand Promotions began offering a commercial subscription of ESPN+ for Business, a version of ESPN+ that offers limited live sports content via DirecTV to commercial establishments.{{cite web |title=ESPN Plus for Business |url=https://plus.espn.com/business |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=plus.espn.com}}{{cite news |last=Kohler |first=Katie |title=Joe Hand Promotions Still Fighting After 50 Years Thanks To Added Punch From Streaming, Barstool, and Streaming |url=https://www.playpennsylvania.com/joe-hand-promotions-50-streaming-rough-rowdy/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |agency=Catena Media |publisher=Play Pennsylvania |date=October 21, 2021 |location=Feasterville, PA}} In 2023, the commercial service was expanded to include college sports.{{cite web|url=https://www.fsrmagazine.com/operations/marketing-promotions/joe-hand-promotions-extends-espn-for-business-agreement/|title=Joe Hand Promotions Extends ESPN+ for Business Agreement|website=FSR Magazine|date=August 9, 2023|access-date=January 13, 2024}}{{cite web |last=Bouma |first=Luke |date=August 9, 2023 |title=ESPN Agrees to Let Bars & Restaurants Air More ESPN+ Content Through DIRECTV |url=https://cordcuttersnews.com/espn-agrees-to-let-bars-restaurants-air-more-espn-content-through-directv/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |website=Cord Cutters News}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{commons category|ESPN+ (streaming service)}}

  • {{Official website|https://plus.espn.com/}}

{{ESPN}}

{{Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution}}

{{Disney}}

{{Sports television in the United States}}

{{VOD services}}

Category:College basketball on television in the United States

Category:College football on television

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Category:Boxing on television