For years, Sling TV has been the go-to budget option for watching ESPN. At $40 per month, it was the cheapest way to get the network without a bloated cable plan.
That might not be the case for much longer.
DIRECTV STREAM just launched its MySports bundle — a slimmed-down, sports-focused package that now sits as the second-cheapest way to get ESPN.
At $69.99 per month (or $49.99 for the first three months as an introductory deal), it undercuts YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo while throwing in major sports channels like ESPN2, ACC Network, MLB Network, and FS1. Regional sports networks (RSNs) will be added in early 2025.
It’s a move that raises a bigger question: Are we about to see a price war for ESPN?
The ESPN Standalone Streamer Could Change Everything
ESPN has been the biggest reason live TV streaming services could get away with raising prices.
If you wanted Monday Night Football, the NBA Playoffs, or college football’s biggest games, you had no choice but to pay for a bundle. That’s how ESPN stayed locked behind ever-growing price tags.
But that’s about to change.
ESPN’s standalone streaming service is set to launch in late 2025. It’s expected to cost somewhere between $25 and $30 per month and will include the full lineup of ESPN channels along with ESPN+. That price point matters a lot.
If it lands at $30 per month, then suddenly, ESPN is only about $16 cheaper than Sling TV—but it no longer requires a bundle. It’s nearly two-thirds the price of Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo.
And it could be just $40 cheaper than DIRECTV STREAM’s MySports bundle after its introductory period—which actually gives you regional sports channels and local networks.
How Do the ESPN Streaming Options Stack Up?
If you’re trying to decide the best way to watch ESPN, here’s a quick comparison of the cheapest streaming options available right now—and how they might stack up against ESPN’s upcoming standalone service.
| Service | Price (Per Month) | Other Key Sports Channels |
| ESPN Standalone (Expected 2025) | $25-$30 (estimated) | All ESPN networks, ESPN+ |
| Sling TV Orange | $45.99 | ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, TBS |
| DIRECTV STREAM MySports | $49.99 (first 3 months), then $69.99 | ESPN2, ACC Network, FS1, MLB Network, RSNs |
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99 | ESPN2, ESPN3, ACCN, BTN, SEC, RSNs (includes ESPN+, Disney+) |
| YouTube TV | $82.99 | ESPN2, SEC, ACCN, RSNs, TNT (includes unlimited DVR) |
| Fubo Pro | $84.99 | ESPN2, FS1, RSNs, MLB Network, NBA TV |
| DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment | $86.99 | ESPN2, FS1, TNT, TBS |
The standalone ESPN service could be a great for people who are already using a TV antenna to watch sports, especially if it launches at the rumored $25 to $30 price point. For sports fans using a TV antenna for local channels, this could be the moment live TV bundles start losing their grip.
Does This Mean Streaming Services Will Have to Lower Their Prices?
That’s the big question.
For the first time, ESPN’s biggest audience (diehard sports fans) will have an alternative to overpriced bundles.
Right now, if you’re using a TV antenna for free access to local games, you only need a small handful of cable channels to round out your coverage. That’s why Sling TV has been such a popular choice: it gives you ESPN for the lowest possible price.
But if ESPN’s standalone service is only $25 to $30 per month, it creates a scenario where people start asking: Do I even need a live TV bundle for sports anymore?
Some will, especially if they want RSNs. That’s why DIRECTV STREAM’s MySports bundle is an interesting move. It almost looks like they’re preparing for the ESPN standalone era by offering a lower-cost alternative to keep sports fans from jumping ship.
Fubo, now under the majority ownership of Disney, is expected to offer its own slimmed-down bundle for sports.
The real test will come when competing services like YouTube TV decide what to do next. They’ve spent years building bundles around ESPN. If ESPN breaks free, they either have to lower their prices or find a way to justify the extra cost.
Either way, sports on TV is about to change.
