There are three big changes coming to streaming live sports in 2025 that could prompt even more people to drop cable TV.
ESPN is about to offer its own direct-to-consumer subscription, making it easier for fans to get ESPN, ESPN2 and its sibling networks without paying for a full cable package.
Fubo and Peacock are in the process of offering either more live sports, or more customized options through their own streaming platforms.
These changes could really benefit cord-cutters and people who want more control over what they pay for when it comes to live sports.
ESPN’s Standalone Streaming Service
We’re about a year away from the launch of a new standalone ESPN streaming service. This new platform will bundle all ESPN networks along with ESPN+.
For decades, ESPN has been a linchpin of cable TV, even as millions of people have already cut the cord. Services like YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV have become the go-to online versions of cable, carrying ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+ alongside other popular channels.
With this new ESPN service, you can subscribe directly without a live TV package.
Disney, which owns ESPN, is essentially breaking down the last iteration of the traditional cable bundle. Disney CEO Bob Iger recently announced that ESPN will also be available as part of a Disney+ bundle when it launches — much like Hulu is integrated into Disney+.
This means Disney+ or Hulu subscribers will have the option to add ESPN to their subscriptions.
The standalone ESPN service will include major channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and more, covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, college football, and other major sports. It will be available on platforms like Smart TVs, Roku, and other devices, and feature interactive capabilities like ESPN Bet, fantasy sports, and sports stats for a personalized experience.
This subscription alone will offer more flexibility than ever before, especially if you are an NFL or college football fan.
If you are already using a TV antenna to watch football games on local broadcast channels, and you only need ESPN to fill in the gaps, a direct subscription might be cheaper than what you are already paying.
The Future of Regional Sports Networks
ESPN is only part of the puzzle, especially for in-market NBA, NHL, and MLB games. Regional sports networks (RSNs) are in flux—some have disappeared, while others have been dropped by local teams in favor of their own streaming solutions or a return to over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts.
For example, the Anaheim Ducks left Bally Sports SoCal for a combination of local broadcast and free streaming. The Florida Panthers—the Stanley Cup Champions—have also moved back to broadcast TV.
Many MLB and NBA teams are exploring distribution deals that include a local broadcast TV option alongside standalone streaming. Given the shifting RSN landscape and ESPN’s move to streaming, services like Peacock and Fubo are also evolving how they offer regional sports.
Starting next year, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia Phillies fans will be able to watch their teams on Peacock, according to The Wall Street Journal.
NBCUniversal plans to add its regional sports channels to Peacock as early as 2025, covering teams like the Golden State Warriors, Celtics, and Phillies, while still keeping games on traditional TV.
Meanwhile, Fubo will offer standalone RSN subscriptions, so you won’t need to subscribe to its entire channel plan.
The RSNs previously known as Bally Sports Networks have been rebranded as FanDuel Sports Network, allowing fans to watch in-market games without paying for a full live TV service.
Diamond Sports Group, which owns Bally Sports, may drop most of its MLB coverage in 2025 — possibly affecting NBA and NHL teams as well. Regardless of what FanDuel Sports offers for local sports in 2025, consumers are getting more choices to subscribe directly to regional sports networks.
In some cases, they only need a TV antenna, and don’t need to pay any subscriptions anymore.
What About Local Channels?
Local NBC, ABC, FOX, and CBS stations are still crucial for sports like the NFL, college football, and basketball. Services like Peacock and Paramount+ provide coverage for NBC and CBS, but as the traditional cable bundle unravels, we might be heading into “the year of the TV antenna.”
Nielsen reports that about 23 million U.S. households are using over-the-air TV, and that number is growing as more people rediscover antennas.
With advancements like NextGen TV, OTA TV could become easier for more people — though it will take time for full adoption, and for some important kinks to be worked out.
Even now, current HD broadcasts through an antenna offer impressive picture quality with far less compression compared to cable.
If you haven’t used a TV antenna lately, you might be surprised at the quality of free OTA broadcasts—a great option for local sports coverage without the monthly bill.
Wrapping Up
These three major changes — ESPN’s standalone service, more accessible RSNs, and the growing appeal of OTA TV — are setting the stage for another shift in how we watch sports.
