ESPN actively planning to offer linear feed directly to consumers, has deals with two leagues

[llokey]

Yet it is another cable channel, that barely anyone watches

You make a valid point but that same argument could be made for most channels that are distributed via MVPD.

 

[Bruce]

You make a valid point but that same argument could be made for most channels that are distributed via MVPD.

Agreed, I have been posting that for a long time, I find it absolutely terrible that people are forced to pay for these so called cable channels, that show nothing but reruns and basically not many watch.

Specially since all that same rerun content is available for free on the Pluto TV type services.

 

[savarese04]

From the artical:

ESPN Plus customers automatically enrolled

If you already have the ESPN Plus streaming service, you will automatically become an ESPN subscriber when the new service rolls out. Your existing subscription will become ESPN Select and be converted according to your existing standalone plan or bundle.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This wouldnt apply to Direct streaming "entertainment package" right?

I think the key here is "will become ESPN Select." ESPN+ is getting a rebrand to just ESPN and it will have two tiers - Select and....Premium? - depending.
1) ESPN+ or bundle subs wil not see a price increase because they will just be getting the same thing
2) bundle subs will need to figure what they want to do as far as upgrading to the ESPN "premium" bundle.
3) I will bet they have promos to get people in the door and goose the signups