Will the ESPN+ Name Disappear When ESPN’s Streaming App Arrives?
The “worldwide leader in sports” threw everyone for a loop when it announced it would offer a standalone streaming app with all the ESPN channels simply called “ESPN.” But if we look closer at the company’s news release, it seems the days may be numbered for the name “ESPN+.”
If you read through Disney’s official announcement, you’ll see the company keeps using the same two names to differentiate its ESPN-related streaming options: ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited.
The name “ESPN+” appears five times in that announcement, but almost always in reference to the current content on the platform. Focus on this line: “Existing ESPN+ subscribers will automatically become subscribers to ESPN’s new service, based on their current subscription level.”
The word “become” is the word to focus on. It’s not an addition, it’s a transformation.
Another important clue comes from how the announcement names its bundles:
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN unlimited bundle: $35.99/month (with ads on Disney+/Hulu), $44.99/month (no ads on Disney+/Hulu*)
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN select bundle: $16.99/month (with ads on Disney+/Hulu), $26.99/month (no ads on Disney+/Hulu*)
If you look at the ESPN+ plan page today, you’ll see that the $16.99 bundle is referred to as “Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+.”
Disney is a careful company. They wouldn’t include the “Select” and “Unlimited” names in the bundle listings unless that’s what they plan to call the services moving forward.
Another factor to consider: ESPN+ has always been available within the ESPN app. They never created a standalone ESPN+ app. It will be easy to transition users without much confusion.
The name “ESPN+” suggests you’re getting ESPN and something else. In reality, ESPN+ is more like “P.S. ESPN.” There’s a lot of quality sports, but not the marquee games that appear on the flagship linear channels. When this new streamer launches, it doesn’t make sense to have ESPN+ be of less value than “ESPN.” The names “Select” and “Unlimited” seem like better descriptions of what will be available.
It’s possible Disney could change their mind before the launch, but ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro seemed laser-focused on the new naming scheme. “Our straightforward approach to name and pricing will help fans cut through the clutter, and provide them compelling options to access all our content within the enhanced ESPN App,” Pitaro said.
Although Disney is unlikely to confirm this, I feel confident suggesting the ESPN+ name is going away. Long live Select and Unlimited.
