First reports on the ESPN App
Analyst projections for the new DTC service are modest: LightShed Partners estimates only 2 million new subscribers by the end of 2025 (excluding existing pay-TV users who get app access bundled in). This is far below what Disney/ ESPN might need to offset broader cable losses, where ESPN has shed 40 million subscribers over the past decade, costing $10 billion annually in revenue.
Some issues have occurred. Frequent freezing, black screens, audio-only playback, delays (e.g., not truly "live" despite labels), and lag during key events like college football games. Users report this happening consistently, even for paid subscribers.
No official subscriber numbers for the DTC launch have been released yet (Disney's next earnings report is in November 2025), but the lack of hype around rapid uptake in media coverage points to underwhelming initial sign-ups. Pre-launch surveys and reports highlighted concerns over pricing