Disney+ Integrates ESPN Sports Content for Select Subscribers – Technologist

Disney+ is one step closer to being a fully immersive streaming TV experience.

The popular video streaming service (VOD) just announced that it is integrating ESPN content into its app. This move comes just months after Disney made a similar integration with Hulu.

“This launch really puts a cherry on top of a fantastic year of innovation at Disney+,” Alisa Bowen, President of Disney+, said via press release. “Earlier in the year, we made Hulu available in the Disney+ app, and now we’re doing the same for ESPN+. This gives our bundle subscribers one place to consume everything they love from all our brands.”

But what does that mean, exactly? Well, like many things in the entertainment industry, it depends on your subscription level.

Let’s dig into the announcement and figure out just how much live sports you’ll be getting.

Disney+ Now Has an ESPN Button on Its Menu

All Disney+ subscribers now can access ESPN content via a tile on the streaming app’s home screen.

ESPN should now appear alongside existing options like Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and Hulu.

It should look similar to this:

But what will selecting that tile provide you? It depends on your subscription tier.

How It Works for Disney+ Customers with the Disney Bundle

If you’re a Disney Bundle subscriber who receives access to ESPN+ as a part of your package, this will simply integrate that live and on-demand content into your Disney+ app so that you don’t have to leave the ecosystem to get your sports content.

This means you should be able to enjoy select live games from league like NFL, MLB, NHL and many of the top conferences in college sports without leaving Disney+.

Per the release, “ESPN+ offers access to more than 30,000 live sports events each year, which also includes games and events from MLB, WNBA, college sports, tennis, golf, and more, plus a library of on-demand replays and acclaimed original content and studio programming that will now be available through Disney+ to eligible bundle subscribers.”

I have the Disney Bundle trio that includes Hulu and ESPN+, so I decided to check it out following the announcement.

Here’s a quick look at some of the menu screens I found:

As you can see, it looks very similar to the native ESPN+ app. And, as far as the content goes, I found it to be very similar to the live games and on-demand streams I’d find via the ESPN+ app.

If you’re a Hulu app user, you may have already experienced this style of ESPN+ integration. I’ve been able to successfully watch live games provided by ESPN+ on my Hulu app for about a year now. I expect I’ll be able to do the same via Disney+ app now.

How It Works for Disney+ Customers WITHOUT ESPN+ in the Disney Bundle

So, if you’re not paying for ESPN+ as a part of a Disney Bundle, are you simply out of luck?

No, not exactly.

You’ll still see that ESPN tile on your Disney+ home page, but what you receive will be a little different than what was described above.

Standalone Disney+ subscribers will have access to a curated selection of live sports events, studio shows, and ESPN Films from ESPN+.

According to the press release, this includes “some exciting and unique events in the coming weeks, such as “The Simpsons Funday Football” animated Monday Night Football game, a Christmas Day lineup of five NBA games plus the “Dunk The Halls” animated NBA presentation, select 30 For 30 documentaries, and Day 1 coverage from the Australian Open.”

Disney is providing standalone subscribers similar access to curated Hulu content via the Hulu tile.

This strategy is presumably in place to add a little value to your Disney+ subscription while also enticing you to upgrade to a bundle package that includes those products.

Have you checked out this new integration yet? Do you like it? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the Clark.com community.

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