ESPN to launch streaming service ESPN+ on April 12

ESPN’s new streaming service will launch April 12 and will include daily MLB and NHL games, along with other sports offerings for $4.99 per month, the network announced Monday. 

The service, called ESPN+, will be available in an upcoming update to ESPN’s main app on various platforms. ESPN+, which can be purchased for $49.99 per year, will also feature more than 250 MLS games, live coverage of 31 PGA Tour events, Top Rank Boxing on ESPN (including Amir Khan vs. Phil Lo Greco on April 21), “thousands of live college sports events” from non-power conferences and some of ESPN’s original content like 30 for 30. 

Since the NHL regular season concludes this weekend, games won't be available on ESPN+ until the 2018-19 season. (NBC Sports has exclusive rights to broadcast the Stanley Cup Playoffs.) 

ESPN+ is the sports broadcast giant's latest attempt to offset subscriber losses by targeting cord-cutters. 

“With ESPN+, fans have access to thousands more live games, world class original programs and on-demand sports content, all at a great price,” ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement.

ESPN+ will not include streaming of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews or ESPN Classic, or the sports broadcast on those channels – like live NFL, NBA, MLB and college games. That still requires an existing cable, satellite or over-the-top subscription (from Sling TV, DirecTV Now or similar services). The same goes for ESPN’s daily and weekly shows like Pardon the Interruption. 

ESPN does, however, plan to develop shows that will be exclusive to ESPN+ subscribers. 

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It’s the first direct-to-consumer streaming offering as part of Disney’s strategy to compete with Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. Disney, ESPN’s parent company, announced last summer that it plans to launch its own branded service that will feature new Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm content in 2019. 

ESPN+ was initially announced after Disney spent $1.58 billion last year to up its stake in streaming tech company BAMTech to 75%. BAMTech had been a division of Major League Baseball Advanced Media; MLB and the NHL still have minority interests in the company. 

ESPN+ subscribers can add MLB.TV to view all out-of-market games for $24.99 per month and will have the opportunity to add NHL.TV’s out-of-market package next season, according to ESPN’s news release.