If you’re like me, you ended up with ESPN’s new streaming service, ESPN+, for one reason or another.

In my case, Major League Soccer moved their entire “MLS Live” platform over to ESPN this season, so if you want to watch Union games when you’re out of market and don’t have access to PHL 17, ESPN+ is your only option. I can’t get archived footage or cut video clips or do any of that without a subscription.

And if you’re a college football fan or baseball nut, there are boatloads of games streaming on the platform:

This is just a sampling what ESPN+ has scheduled for today:

 

If the $4.99 per month price point is too much for you, you can now get a bit more out of the subscription, beginning next week. An email went out to ESPN Insider subscribers (also $4.99 per month) explaining that the two products are going to be merged into one, but remain at the same price:

We have great news! ESPN Insider is merging with ESPN+.

What does this mean?

ESPN+ is the new multi-sport, video streaming service from ESPN. In the next few weeks, Insider content will be integrated into ESPN+. So, you’ll continue to receive the same Insider coverage you’re used to, plus live sports and exclusive originals–all at no extra cost!

What you can look forward to:

  • Live sports: Stream thousands of live events including Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, Serie A international soccer, Top Rank Boxing and more!
  • ESPN Originals: Get on-demand access to ESPN originals, exclusive studio shows like The Fantasy Show, and the entire library of 30 for 30 documentaries.
  • Limited ads: ESPN+ subscribers get fewer ads across all ESPN digital products (ESPN.com, ESPN app).
  • Connectivity: Stream on the go or at home, on your smartphone, tablet, computer, and supported connected living room devices.

What you’ll continue to enjoy:

  • Insider’s premium content from experts like Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Keith Law and others!
  • Tools to get an edge in your fantasy sports leagues, and Tournament Challenge brackets.
  • Continued delivery of ESPN The Magazine as a part of your subscription.
  • Your subscription will automatically become ESPN+ in the next few weeks and you will be renewed at next billing as an ESPN+ subscriber. See ESPN+ Subscriber Agreement for full details.

Makes a lot of sense. I don’t know how many people were going to spend $10 a month, or $120 a year, on separate streaming and premium content plans from the same company. Now you got get both for the price of one, which addresses Insider gripes and incentivizes more people to subscribe to ESPN+.

The merge takes place next Tuesday, August 28th. The ESPN app will update to version 6.2 and all of the “Insider” stuff will be replaced by ESPN+ branding. More tools will be added to the video player, with double-tap fast forward and rewind capabilities.