ESPN Launches New Streaming Service Featuring John Cena Promotion

ESPN is launching a new direct-to-consumer streaming service on August 21st, featuring original programming alongside new interactive and personalized features, with subscription options ranging from $11.99 to $29.99 per month, including bundled plans with Disney+ and Hulu. The platform will become the exclusive U.S. home for WWE's Premium Live Events starting in 2026, following a five-year, $1.6 billion media rights agreement with WWE. To promote the launch and the WWE partnership, ESPN has hired WWE star and actor John Cena, who stars in a new ad campaign portraying a sports coach introducing viewers to the app and its features. The campaign includes ESPN's mascot 'App-E' and highlights well-known ESPN personalities, aiming to attract a wide audience, particularly the 60 million consumers who do not subscribe to traditional cable TV. ESPN's move into streaming represents a strategic effort to counteract subscriber losses in traditional cable networks and compete with other sports streaming services launching simultaneously. Cena's involvement capitalizes on his dual appeal as a wrestling icon and mainstream actor to boost awareness and excitement for the new service.