Sports Business
DirecTV will offer “MySports,” a smaller package of sports channels, in the latest innovation to try to reach sports fans during the streaming evolution.
According to DirecTV’s announcement Tuesday, a consumer will be able to access all of ESPN’s channels, Fox Sports, TNT Sports, league college networks and the local broadcast networks, except for CBS at this point, for $49.99 per month for the first three months and then $69.99 per month thereafter. That would make the annual price $779.88 for the first year and $839.88 each following year.
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The move is part of the great rebundling of how sports fans watch their games. Last week, Disney took a 70 percent stake in Fubo, which will also offer these types of “skinny bundles.”
ESPN initially was going to go forward with Venu Sports, its joint venture with Fox Sports and TNT Sports that was announced nearly a year ago that would have offered a type of sports viewing bundle. Fubo brought litigation that sought to stop Venu — a potential competitor — from ever beginning.
But last week’s Disney-Fubo move ended that litigation. Then other providers, including DirecTV, threatened to continue the litigation. ESPN and the other networks ultimately decided they would be able to reach fans with “skinny bundles” even without Venu as an option, and 48 hours after the Disney-Fubo deal, ESPN and its partners shuttered Venu.
Ideas like “MySports” will be increasingly presented to sports fans as networks, leagues and teams try to combat cord-cutting. ESPN will have its own full direct-to-consumer product that is expected to cost $25-30 per month and debut in August.
ESPN was once in 100 million cable homes and now has around 66 million subscribers, according to Nielsen. “MySports” intends to grow, but, at present, will be available in 24 metro markets, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Overall, the bundle includes 40 channels and broadcast networks.
(Photo: Federico Parra / AFP via Getty Images)
Andrew Marchand is a Sr. Sports Media Columnist for The Athletic. He previously worked for the New York Post and ESPN, where he predominantly covered sports media and baseball. In 2023, Marchand was named one of five finalists for The Big Lead’s “Insider of the Year” in all of sports.