Some of the major pushback against ESPN in the digitalized age has been its somewhat draconian wireless app and other less-than-stellar cord-cutting options.
It now looks like the company is getting with the times. According to Disney CEO Bob Iger, ESPN will launch an ESPN Plus streaming service that enables consumers the ability to watch programming and live sports events from their mobile devices and other cord-cutting outlets. This includes broadcasts of games not airing on their traditional networks as well as original programming such as the highly-rated 30 for 30 series.
Iger made the announcement on CNBC Tuesday afternoon, noting that the cost will be $4.99 per month.
Disney CEO Bob Iger says a new ESPN app will launch in the spring and "ESPN Plus" streaming service will cost $4.99. pic.twitter.com/nIMzPh9H5n
— CNBC (@CNBC) February 6, 2018
Some may question the idea of having to actually pay a monthly subscription. That’s fine. But that back end cost of something of this ilk had to be high. ESPN making the transition to the new age can’t be seen as a bad thing. At the very least, it gives consumers another option moving forward.