ESPN’s much-discussed streaming service finally has its launch date. The network announced Wednesday that its direct-to-consumer service and enhanced app will debut Aug. 21. The announcement coincided with Disney’s quarterly earning report.

The morning after the Walt Disney Co. and the NFL formally announced their blockbuster equity-for-assets swap, Bob Iger told investors the deal may well be the biggest thing to hit ESPN in nearly 40 years.

Ever since the NFL announced it was looking to sell NFL Network and other media assets, ESPN had been seen as one of the favourites to make a deal. Nearly five years later, a framework is finally in place.