Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | News | August 12, 2025
Last week, both ESPN and Fox announced they would launch new streaming services on August 21, ahead of the NFL season, effectively eliminating any need for a cable box, since the only thing keeping most people tethered to it is the NFL on ESPN and Fox News. ESPN’s new streaming network will cost $30, and Fox’s new streamer will cost $20.
Those who want to bundle their Greg Gutfeld and Sean Hannity programming with Pat McAfee and Rich Eisen can get both services for $40, saving $10 a month. That’s a lot of stupid for a discounted price.
Of course, if you’re a huge NFL fan and want to cut the cord, you’ll still need Paramount+ for $13 a month (or $8 ad-supported) for CBS games, and Peacock for $17 ad-free or $11 ad-supported to watch the Sunday night game. Even with ad-free plans, that’s about $60, and you still don’t have ABC’s programming or some of Fox’s, which will require Hulu ($19 ad-free or $11 ad-supported). In total, it’s roughly $70 to $80 replicate a basic cable subscription, and that’s without Netflix, HBO, PBS, BritBox, or Apple TV+. I know. I miss cable, too.
Meanwhile, in a bid to stay relevant, Sling TV — the streaming cable service — is now offering day, weekend, and week-long passes for $5, $10, and $15, respectively. This would have been a brilliant idea … in 2022. Back then, I might have gladly plunked down $5 to watch CNN and MSNBC on election night or ABC on Oscar night. But now that most live programming is already available through various streaming services, Sling’s new passes feel a day late and $5, $10, or $15 short.
Still, if you’re not prepared to pony up $30 a month for ESPN’s streaming service and your favorite team is on Monday Night Football, the occasional $5 charge might be worth it. Awards shows, meanwhile, are now streaming on different platforms (this year’s Emmys, for instance, will be on Paramount+, and next year’s Oscars will be on Hulu). If you want to watch those awards shows — or next year’s Super Bowl on Peacock — without subscribing, it’s nice to know there’s an option. You can cut the cord but still return to the teat on occasion without paying for a full month.
