ESPN and SiriusXM team up
ESPN and SiriusXM are teaming up to give SiriusXM subscribers a 6-month subscription to ESPN+, while ESPN+ subscribers get a 6-month subscription to SiriusXM. ESPN+ subscribers will have access to SiriusXM content, including ad-free music channels, audio of live pro and college sport events, and over 20 sports channels. For now, SiriusXM Platinum VIP subscribers can access all of ESPN+ sports events and original content. This will expand to additional SiriusXM tiers next month. Further, college football fans will get additional content on ESPN Radio’s College Campus tour, including live radio shows on Saturday mornings from a tailored Airstream trailer at prime locations.
The Circana Take:
- Lately, there has been a flurry of sports partnerships surfacing vying for consumer attention. This deal expands SiriusXM’s footprint into the sports arena, while offering ESPN+ subscribers’ additional content which could help with retention.
- Streamers are increasingly going outside of the core video bundle to find partners to grow their subscriber base, a sign a rather mature sector.
ESPN DTC service will include ESPN+
Speaking of ESPN+, ESPN is launching a Flagship DTC streaming service in 2025 which will include all ESPN+ programming without a Pay TV subscription. The service will provide all linear TV programming and content on ESPN linear networks. ESPN Flagship will likely be combined with ESPN Fantasy providing betting selections, statistics, merch, commerce, and AI to create a personalized version of the networks signature show “SportsCenter.” The AI integration will customize content based on users’ favorite sports or teams. The price of ESPN Flagship has not been announced and currently, ESPN+ costs $12/month or $120/year.
The Circana Take:
- This super-sized ESPN service will attract sports fans. However, pricing could be a major barrier to sign-up. Regardless, this will prompt droves of fans to migrate away from cable TV.
Fubo offers standalone premium subscriptions
Fubo is now offering standalone premium subscriptions services without having to subscribe to a Fubo pay TV plan. The first partners to signup include FanDuel Sports Network (included in Fubo’s Pro base plan TV package), NBA League Pass and Paramount+ with Showtime, all available to Fubo subscribers as add-ons for an additional fee. Standalone subscribers to any of the three services also get access to Fubo Free which offers nearly 200 FAST channels.
The Circana Take:
- Fubo, like other companies, is looking for more ways to attract subscribers and generate revenue outside of their core. This will bring more subscription revenue from existing partners and ideally increase ad-impressions on Fubo Free.