Aug 11 (Reuters) - Upcoming streaming services of ESPN ( DIS )

and Fox will be bundled for $39.99 per month

starting October 2, the companies said on Monday, offering

sports fans a wide range of major events including the NFL and

NBA at a discounted rate.

The bundle is the first significant deal involving major

sports rights holders after Disney ( DIS ), Fox and Warner Bros

Discovery ( WBD ) abandoned plans to launch their live sports

joint venture, Venu Sports, after it ran into substantial legal

opposition.

Media companies are pairing their streaming services to

offer bundled deals and boost customer stickiness, as viewers

face steep price hikes and an overload of choice.

The new package brings together Fox One, which offers Fox's

sports, news, and entertainment content, and ESPN's ( DIS ) new

direct-to-consumer network, featuring professional and college

football and basketball games. Both platforms are launching on

August 21.

"We continue to look for opportunities to streamline the

user experience, especially for the ultimate sports fan," said

Tony Billetter, senior vice president, strategy and business

development at Fox Direct to Consumer.

Fox's new subscription-based service is expected to help the

company expand its audience beyond the mainstay cable television

business.