Technologies

ESPN’s Standalone Streaming Service and App to Launch Aug. 21

With prices starting at just $30, with content from NFL Network and WWE, the new service looks like a tempting offer for sports fans.

Just in time for the NFL and college football seasons, ESPN will launch its flagship streaming service and app Aug. 21. The service, which will simply be called ESPN, will cost $30 as a standalone service or $36 a month if bundled with Disney+ and Hulu.

The NFL season kicks off on Sept. 4, and the first set of college games are scheduled for Aug. 23. Subscribers will receive access to all of ESPN’s live games for all sports and programming from ESPN on ABC, ESPN2 and the SEC Network.

On Wednesday, Disney-owned ESPN announced it will be acquiring the NFL Network, which includes the popular RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy. Per the deal, ESPN will air three additional NFL games a season on NFL Network. ESPN also struck a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment for the US rights to show WrestleMania, the Royal Rumble and SummerSlam, starting in 2026.

Disney CEO Bob Iger said ESPN’s «full suite of networks and services» will be available on the streaming service. «The enhanced ESPN app will be a sports fan’s dream with key new features planned for launch, such as multiview, enhanced personalization, integration of stats, betting, fantasy sports and commerce and a personalized Sports Center,» he said.

Paolo Pescatore, founder and TMT analyst at PP Foresight, said ESPN’s streaming service launch announcement was an overall positive one. «It is essential to empower fans with a slew of choices of how they watch and engage with content,» he said. «This remains key. In the US, it is apparent that fans prefer the larger screen experience, given the push towards bigger TVs. Even so, increasingly this will be delivered via IP, either via cable, fibre, 5G or even still satellite.»

The service was originally slated to launch this fall, but Disney brought the date up, possibly to keep up with the competition. Fox Sports’ streaming service, called Fox One, will also begin Aug. 21. ESPN and Fox One will join an ever-expanding menu of sports streaming services available for all fans’ tastes.

Mike Proulx, vice president and research director at Forrester, said ESPN’s streaming service launch will provide Disney a «notable lift in revenue» after being a tad below expectations. «Disney is racing full force to sign sports rights with the company’s NFL and WWE announcements,» he said. «This is yet another signal that the latest battle in the streaming war is all about live sports programming.»

Technologies

The Fourth Episode of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Out

Verum Messenger has released the fourth episode of its AI mini-series SHADOWS, created using Verum AI. The new episode, titled “No Borders,” continues the story of a team trying to stay out of the OMEGA corporation’s sight.

Following the events of the previous episodes, the team moves between cities and countries while OMEGA continues its search. The new episode puts particular emphasis on Verum Messenger’s capabilities that allow users to conceal their location.

“No Borders” is another chapter in a story about privacy, freedom of communication, and technologies that erase borders between people.

The VERUM AI mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 4 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube