College football fans may have a new way to watch games this fall.
ESPN and FOX, the primary media rights holders for all major conferences, have signed an agreement that will allow fans to purchase a subscription bundle and gain access to both platforms. The cost for the combined service will be $39.99 per month and it will be available to all subscribers beginning on Oct. 2.
“Working with FOX One on this bundle offer allows us to bring ESPN’s world-class sports content to even more fans in a seamless and innovative way,” Disney executive vice president of Disney Platform Distribution Sean Breen said in a statement. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to delivering premium experiences across platforms and meeting consumers where they are – anytime, anywhere.”
While all sports fans will potentially benefit from this partnership, it figures to be particularly fruitful for fans of college sports. As ESPN’s Flora Kelly noted after the announcement, ESPN and Fox productions make up the vast majority of college football viewership:
Here’s more information about ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service via the press release, which will launch individually on Aug. 21:
The ESPN DTC offering will give fans access to all of ESPN’s linear networks – ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes – in addition to ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, SECN+, and ACCNX, covering 47,000 live events each year, on-demand replays, studio shows, original programming, as well as newly expanded NFL content and more.
FOX’s direct-to-consumer service is called FOX One and will also be available individually on Aug. 21. It will include FOX’s full menu of media properties, including FOX News, FOX Weather, The Big Ten Network and FS1, among others.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
