What streaming megadeal means for viewers

Three of the top television companies in American sports delivered a bombshell announcement Tuesday that said they were forming a joint “all-in-one” streaming service that will provide sports content from all the major pro sports leagues, plus college football, college basketball and more.

But what does that mean to the average sports viewer?

ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery provided some details of their agreement Tuesday. To gain a better understanding of it beyond that, USA TODAY Sports contacted sports business and legal experts about where this is headed, what it might cost and how it will affect viewing habits.

“It certainly is surprising,” said Neil Pilson, former president of CBS Sports. He also called it a potential watershed moment.

The companies otherwise are competitors with each other for viewers, advertising revenue and sports media rights, but in this case are joining to form a new streaming app scheduled to launch this fall, with each company owning onethird of it.

What would it include?

The joint venture would be offered directly to consumers and will include ESPN+, plus access to 14 linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, truTV.

What you get on those channels would be available on this app. That includes the NFL, Major League Baseball, the NBA, WNBA, NHL, NCAA basketball tournament games and the PGA Tour. Commercials would be included, too.

“To me, this goes a long way in solving the sports dilemma that many viewers have,” former Fox Sports Networks president Bob Thompson told USA TODAY Sports. “They would like to cut the cord (to cable television), but if you are a sports fan, it is very, very difficult to do and get all of what you want. This goes a long way to remedying that situation.”

How much would streaming service cost viewers?

It’s to be determined. But Thompson predicted it could cost more than