The shift from traditional cable to streaming platforms has transformed how audiences consume sports content. Cable subscriptions, once considered the standard, are steadily declining—in 2023, only 46% of U.S. households kept a traditional pay TV service, down from 85% a decade earlier, according to Pew Research Center. With this migration, many consumers are reevaluating which channels and networks still justify their monthly cost.
ESPN, whether bundled in cable or offered through standalone digital access, isn't cheap. A direct subscription to ESPN+ runs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year, and does not include live broadcasts from the ESPN cable networks, often requiring an additional bundle or service like Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV, which adds an average of $70+ per month.
This blog post breaks down when and why it makes sense to cancel ESPN. If you've already subscribed to certain streaming platforms, you may be paying twice for the same or overlapping sports content. We’ll help you match your viewing habits with the right service combinations—so you're not overspending for broadcast rights you don't need.
As of April 2024, ESPN+ charges $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year for its standalone subscription. This tier grants access to a curated selection of live sports, studio shows, and original programming. It includes UFC events (sans the pay-per-view main cards), select MLB, NHL, soccer leagues like LaLiga and Bundesliga, college sports, and documentaries from the “30 for 30” archive.
However, the subscription does not include the live ESPN cable channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, or ESPN News. That means no Monday Night Football, NBA on ESPN, or many marquee college football and basketball games unless you also pay for a cable or digital TV bundle that carries those networks.
Disney offers ESPN+ within bundled packages that combine it with Disney+ and Hulu:
These bundles reduce the cost compared to subscribing to each platform separately—if you actually use all three services. Pay attention to usage patterns across platforms to see if the bundle delivers real value or simply inflates monthly bills with content you rarely watch.
Despite its name, ESPN+ does not unlock the full ESPN live game experience. It operates as a supplementary service. Regional games often remain blacked out due to local broadcasting rights, and many top-tier live events are still premium cable or pay-per-view exclusives. For instance, fans of NBA or NFL teams will often find that key local games are not available on ESPN+ at all.
Run the numbers. If you’re streaming ESPN+ only a couple of times a month, you're effectively paying $5 or more per event. That might make sense if you're dedicated to one niche—say, European soccer or college wrestling—but casual viewers often find they’re paying monthly for limited, redundant, or inaccessible content. Checking how often you open the app in the past 30 days is a simple and revealing metric. If your usage is sporadic or reliant on highlights and replays, a cancellation could trim unnecessary spending with minimal impact on sports access.
Don’t assume ESPN is the only gateway to premium sports coverage. Several streaming platforms offer full access to major leagues, college sports, and exclusive events—sometimes with even wider coverage and better flexibility. Here’s how the top contenders stack up.
With Hulu + Live TV, viewers tap into ESPN content directly through live broadcasts. But it doesn’t end there. The service also includes Disney+ and ESPN+ as part of the standard bundle, eliminating the need to pay separately for these add-ons. This alone can cover nearly all major sports streaming requirements.
Subscribers benefit from local broadcast stations and regional sports networks, which fill in coverage gaps—especially for MLB, NFL, and college sports fans. The platform’s cloud DVR and multiple user profiles round out a package that balances live viewing with on-demand flexibility.
YouTube TV matches ESPN’s sports offering while bringing additional tools to the table. Every plan includes a solid lineup of sports channels, among them ESPN, ESPN2, and FS1.
Its unlimited DVR functionality stands out: record every game, rewatch entire seasons, and pause live TV. Plus, shared library access across up to six accounts makes the service a family-friendly option. Picture clarity and stream reliability also rank among the best in the industry.
Sling TV offers a mix-and-match approach to cord-cutting. Choose the “Orange” package for ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 inclusion, or bundle with “Blue” for access to additional sports channels like FS1 and NFL Network. The key benefit here is price control.
Sling starts well below traditional TV packages and often runs promotional discounts. For those only interested in key matchups or specific leagues, this package can meet needs without bloating the monthly bill.
Designed with the hardcore sports enthusiast in mind, FuboTV covers over 100 live channels, with a large portion dedicated to sports. The channel lineup includes ESPN, NBA TV, beIN Sports, FS1, Golf Channel, and more—appealing to both U.S. and international sports fans.
There’s also an edge when it comes to niche coverage. FuboTV often carries content not available on ESPN, such as La Liga and Serie A matches, along with Olympic sports and qualifying tournaments. It’s a platform built for those who follow more than just the headlines.
More than a vault of CBS originals, Paramount+ is a strategic sports investment—especially for NFL and college football fans. The platform streams live NFL games on CBS each Sunday, as well as Champions League soccer, top-tier NCAA matchups, and golf majors like the Masters.
Its regional offerings vary, but coverage typically includes live access to local CBS stations, enabling direct game day access without detouring through ESPN.
Have you already tried one—or more—of these services? If so, compare what you currently watch on ESPN with what’s available in your bundle. The overlap might surprise you.
If you're thinking about canceling ESPN, start by taking a closer look at the sports apps already installed on your devices. Some of these platforms mirror ESPN's coverage or even specialize in content ESPN doesn’t offer. Here's how.
The NBC Sports app offers extensive coverage of Premier League soccer, Sunday Night Football, NASCAR, the French Open, and the Tour de France. It also features regional sports network (RSN) programming in certain markets. Live streams, full-event replays, highlights, and real-time stats are integrated into a single, responsive interface.
CBS Sports carries exclusive rights to SEC football, NCAA basketball (including March Madness), the PGA Tour, and select NFL games. With the CBS Sports app, users can stream these games live without requiring an ESPN subscription, especially if they also have Paramount+ bundled in.
Fox Sports covers a wide range of events: NFL games, MLB, college football, college basketball, and the FIFA World Cup. The FOX Sports app supports multi-game streaming, customizable notifications, and syncing with TV providers or direct subscriptions like Fox Sports Go, eliminating ESPN dependence in many cases.
These apps let fans follow specific leagues directly, often providing more analytics, insider features, and camera angles than generalist networks like ESPN.
DAZN aggregates international sports coverage—boxing, MMA, Serie A, Bundesliga, NFL Game Pass International, and more. The app emphasizes combat sports and European leagues often not carried by ESPN, creating access to coveted matches without cable ties.
While Bleacher Report doesn't replace live ESPN broadcasts, its coverage supplements traditional viewing with breaking news, real-time score alerts, live reactions, and curated highlight reels. Users can follow specific teams and sports, building a personalized news feed to stay updated without ESPN’s studio shows.
Assess how often you already open these apps. What games are you watching? Which networks are streaming them? If you’re regularly relying on these platforms, ESPN might be adding clutter instead of value to your lineup.
Hulu with Live TV replicates much of ESPN’s core offer. Subscribers access live broadcasts of college football, NBA games, MLB coverage, and around-the-clock sports news. The service includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, and ESPNU within its base lineup, but it doesn’t stop there. Hulu also carries channels like FS1, NBC Sports, ACC Network, and SEC Network.
This creates a redundant streaming structure—viewers end up watching ESPN through Hulu while also paying separately for a standalone ESPN subscription. Content like Monday Night Football, SportsCenter, and college basketball appears in both services simultaneously. If Hulu with Live TV is already active, a separate ESPN subscription offers no additional benefit for general sports coverage.
YouTube TV mirrors the spectrum ESPN provides. The base plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews—but it also includes Big Ten Network, FS1, FS2, CBS Sports, and NBA TV. Most mainstream live events—NBA on ESPN, college football matchups, and MLB prime time—stream live on YouTube TV with integrated DVR functionality.
Even ESPN+ exclusives, like UFC preliminaries or niche documentaries, appear across other services shortly after airing. For instance, UFC Fight Night undercards often replay on ESPN’s linear networks, already bundled into YouTube TV’s main lineup. Redundancy becomes even more apparent with general studio programming like First Take or Get Up, both of which show in full on linear ESPN—even if you’ve canceled ESPN+.
FuboTV centers on live sports, especially international coverage. Impressively, it packages more than 35 sports-focused channels, including ESPN, beIN Sports, FS1/FS2, and regional sports networks. The service covers most of the same live game broadcasts ESPN offers, from college football to NBA primetime matchups.
Where ESPN exclusivity ends, FuboTV’s variety fills the gap. Sports talk shows like Pardon the Interruption or game studio segments may be missing from on-demand libraries, but the live game experiences match. FuboTV users also gain access to multi-viewing options and real-time stats overlays—features ESPN doesn’t provide natively.
Specialized services like NFL Game Pass, NBA League Pass, and MLB.TV bypass ESPN entirely. These direct-to-consumer platforms stream live games, archival footage, highlight collections, and player-specific cams. In many cases, these apps offer broader access than ESPN.
Each of these apps marginalizes ESPN’s role. When comprehensive coverage flows directly from the league, there's little incentive to keep paying for a secondary distributor.
Live event exclusivity on ESPN is narrowing. In 2023, ESPN+ held less than 15% of UFC content exclusively—most fight cards eventually moved to ESPN or ABC. The ManningCast, an alternate Monday Night Football broadcast, also simulcasts on other Disney-owned channels. Meanwhile, big games from the College Football Playoff, NBA Finals, or Wimbledon often air across multiple platforms due to cross-licensing agreements.
Documentary content—like 30 for 30 or E60—debuted as ESPN exclusives but now also streams on Disney+ and Hulu. For cord-cutters, this distribution model reinforces the overlap: subscribing to ESPN rarely means gaining singular access anymore. If you already hold memberships to platforms like Hulu Live, YouTube TV, or a sport-specific app, odds are ESPN is duplicating instead of adding.
Replacing traditional cable doesn't mean sacrificing access to live sports, news, or entertainment channels. Several streaming platforms replicate the cable experience—with more flexible pricing, broader device compatibility, and far fewer hidden fees. If you already subscribe to one of these services, retaining an additional ESPN subscription may no longer add value.
Three elements define a strong contender in the cable-replacement market:
Several platforms already offer ESPN as part of their bundles, eliminating the need for a separate subscription.
If you’re already on one of these platforms and mainly retain your ESPN subscription for access to events like Monday Night Football or college basketball, you’re already covered. These services replicate the full-bundle experience, often with added storage and modern UI advantages that traditional cable didn’t offer.
The Disney Bundle combines three major platforms—Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+—into a single subscription. Instead of juggling multiple standalone accounts and payments, users gain access to a broad range of entertainment and live sports for a flat monthly rate. As of 2024, the standard Disney Bundle with ads costs $14.99 per month. For ad-free Hulu (excluding ESPN+), expect to pay $24.99 per month.
This bundle brings together:
Subscribing to ESPN+ on its own costs $10.99 per month. If you're already paying for Disney+ or Hulu separately, adding ESPN+ through the bundle often reduces your total cost while expanding access.
Hulu + Live TV includes the full Disney Bundle and adds over 90 live channels—among them, multiple ESPN branded options like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, and ESPNU. The current price is $76.99 per month with ads or $89.99 for an ad-free on-demand experience (live TV still includes commercials).
This model eliminates the need for cable and merges live sports, primetime television, and premium streaming into a single interface. For many users, it serves as a comprehensive cable replacement with ESPN access already integrated.
Many users unknowingly subscribe to ESPN+ directly while already having access to it through a bundle. If you have the Disney Bundle or Hulu + Live TV, you're already paying for ESPN+. Keeping a separate ESPN+ subscription outside the bundle creates redundancy, and worse—wasteful spending.
Using the bundle trims unnecessary outlays without sacrificing content. Add up the standalone prices:
Totaling $26.97, this figure overshoots the Disney Bundle’s $14.99 monthly cost by $11. That’s $132 per year lost to duplication.
So, do you already pay for Hulu or Disney+? If yes, explore your subscription management page. A smarter bundle might already be in reach—and ESPN could be hiding in plain sight.
Start by tracking your actual usage. Are you watching live games regularly, or are you mostly tuning in for highlight reels and commentary you can get elsewhere? If you find that you're only watching occasional events, the monthly ESPN subscription may not be delivering equivalent value. Compare your viewing habits across all platforms—how often does ESPN show up?
Major sports streaming platforms—such as fuboTV, YouTube TV, Paramount+, and Peacock—offer free trials that range from 7 to 14 days. Match these with the sports calendar. For example:
Cancel after the trial ends, and move to the next platform. This approach locks in live sports without monthly commitments.
Most platforms now allow subscription flexibility. Rather than paying for ESPN year-round, pause during months when your favorite sport is out of season. Consider the NBA offseason (July-September), or MLB’s quiet winter stretch. If you're not watching, stop paying.
Discounts aren't just for cell phone plans. Hulu (which includes ESPN in its Hulu + Live TV package), offers student deals via bundling with Spotify and Showtime. Eligible military personnel can access streaming perks through services like Verizon's military discounts, which extend to streaming packages. Additionally:
Audit your situation. Are you paying full price while your carrier offers it bundled? Adjust and optimize.
Managing multiple streaming subscriptions without wasting money or duplicating content starts by treating your streaming habits like a budget—tracked, optimized, and adjusted. Finding smarter ways to stream sports begins with your current setup.
Open your financial statement, digital wallet, or app store subscriptions page. Count every service you’re paying for—monthly, annually, promo-based, or bundled. Include:
This snapshot gives a clear view of content duplication, underused platforms, and potential trims.
Some services force-feeds everything, while others let users pick and choose. For lean, high-efficiency streaming, prioritize services like Sling TV. This platform provides à la carte-style packages where you can subscribe only to channels you actually watch—including or excluding ESPN with a toggle.
Philo and Vidgo offer similar levels of flexibility, though channels and sports availability vary. Focus on lineup control and flexible-tier pricing when evaluating where your dollars go.
Most sports don't run year-round. So why keep the same lineup 12 months a year? Stream smarter by associating platforms with seasons. Here’s a breakdown worth considering:
This rotation squeezes maximum utility from every subscription dollar without overlapping coverage or sitting on dormant platforms during an off-season.
Unlike cable, most streaming services allow cancellation and resubscription with zero penalty. This opens up a tactical advantage: monthly rotation. For example, subscribe to NBA League Pass for winter, cancel in April, and move to MLB.TV by opening day.
Think of rotation as the streaming version of changing tires for the season—purposeful, performance-based, and cost-effective. Set calendar reminders or use budget-tracking apps to automate the swaps. Combine this with custom bundles from platforms like Sling, and monthly costs can drop by 30% to 50% compared to running all services year-round.
By evaluating current subscriptions, selecting customizable providers, associating platforms with specific sports, and rotating subscriptions based on the sports calendar, you eliminate waste and maximize content access. ESPN doesn’t need to sit permanently in your rotation if its content is mirrored or its seasonality limited. Start streamlining.
Millions of households are stepping away from traditional cable subscriptions and reevaluating premium add-ons like ESPN+. The shift isn't anecdotal—it’s backed by verifiable data that reflects changing viewer behavior through 2024. If you're considering whether to cancel ESPN because you already subscribe to other streaming platforms, recent trends may reinforce your decision.
In Q1 2024, ESPN+ reported a loss of 400,000 subscribers, according to The Walt Disney Company’s earnings report. While this might seem like a drop in the ocean given its total user base of approximately 25.2 million, the direction is clear—consumers are backing away. This marks the third straight quarter of subscriber decline for ESPN+, coinciding with the surge of streaming alternatives offering competitive sports content and better pricing models.
At the same time, cable cord-cutting continues to accelerate. Leichtman Research Group found that traditional pay-TV providers lost about 5.9 million subscribers in 2023 alone. That trend hasn’t slowed in 2024. Linear TV subscriptions are moving from standard to rarity, on pace to fall below 40% of U.S. households by year’s end.
Some still miss the “flip-through-channels” experience of cable. But more often than not, that’s outweighed by the frustration of service bundles loaded with channels people rarely watch. The nostalgia is real—but not realistic. Today’s consumers prefer flexibility: handpicking services based on sport, league, or event. They’re replacing fixed-programming models with streaming services that let them tailor viewing to their schedule, not the other way around.
Consumers aged 18–34 are driving this change. A study from Morning Consult revealed that 74% of Gen Z and millennial viewers subscribe to two or more video streaming services, compared to just 56% of Gen X respondents. This demographic doesn't want to scroll through cable grids—they want instant access across multiple devices, variable speeds, and the freedom to pause, rewind, and skip. ESPN’s traditional format, even through its streaming arm ESPN+, often doesn’t match that level of interactivity.
Curious what others like you are dropping in addition to ESPN? With platforms like Reddit’s r/cordcutters active with over 3 million users discussing downgrades, tricks, and streaming hacks, there’s an entire community reshaping the media landscape—one cancellation at a time.
©2025 American TV. All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer: All rights reserved. AmericanTV.com is a website for research and comparison as such, falls under "Fair Use". AmericanTV.com does not provide directly phone, TV, and internet service. All trademarks, logos, etc. remain the property of their respective owners and are used by AmericanTV.com only to describe products and services offered by each respective trademark holder. The use of any third party trademarks on this site in no way indicates any relationship between AmericanTV.com and the holders of said trademarks, nor any endorsement of AmericanTV.com by the holders of said trademarks.
We are here 24/7 to answer all of your Internet and TV Questions:
1-855-690-9884
1-855-690-9884