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ESPN’s streaming service, ESPN+, arrived last year, ushering in a new era of content delivery for Disney-owned properties. Before we list off the basics, though, we should start by saying that, despite appearances, ESPN+ is not a stand-alone streaming service, nor is it a replacement for your ESPN cable channel.
Instead, ESPN+ gives users a new, mobile way to access ESPN content and live programming through the updated ESPN app. The new service differs from other streaming apps in a few key ways. Here’s everything cord-cutting sports fans need to know about ESPN+.
What it costs
If it seems right for you, there are three different subscription models. A basic ESPN+ subscription costs either $5 per month or $50 annually. While more expensive up front, the yearly subscription model saves you $10 per year. ESPN also offers occasional deals that bundle yearly ESPN+ subscriptions with UFC Pay-Per-Views, so if you’re a fan of both, keep an eye out and you may be able to save a few bucks.
Also, if you want to watch ESPN+, Disney’s new streaming service, Disney+, and Hulu, you can get them all in a bundle that costs just $13 a month. That’s $5 cheaper than it would cost if you were to subscribe to all three separately.
Watching live ESPN channels will still require a paid TV subscription, whether from cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service. The app acts as a gatekeeper by requiring users to sign in with their TV provider account to enable live viewing. If you need help finding a streaming TV provider, take a look at our live TV streaming services guide.
If you decide the service isn’t meeting your needs, you can cancel your subscription at any time, with no strings attached.
What you get
The service includes live MLB, NHL, NBA, and MLS games, as well as college sports, PGA golf, Top Rank Boxing, and Grand Slam Tennis matches. You’ll also find the United Soccer League, cricket, rugby, Canadian Football League, English Football League, and UEFA Nations League games.
ESPN+ is becoming a soccer fan’s best friend: In addition to the soccer content listed above, ESPN+ has a multiyear deal with with the FA Cup — the oldest domestic cup tournament in the world — to stream English football matches in the U.S. In 2020, ESPN+ will also stream the Bundesliga, Germany’s top football league, which previously cost $20 through Fox on its own.
The app gives you access to scores, news, sports radio, podcasts, an on-demand library, and certain games and programming not available on ESPN’s cable channels, plus there’s a condensed, digital version of the network’s popular SportsCenter roundup each day. ESPN+ is also the only place to find the new, digital version of ESPN’s NFL Prime Time.
It also enhances your existing sports subscriptions — if you happen to subscribe to another premium sports streaming service, like MLB.tv or NHL.tv, you’ll be able to access out-of-market games through the ESPN app.
Recently, ESPN scored exclusive rights to UFC pay-per-views, making ESPN+ the only place where you can stream the promotion’s biggest matches. Those events don’t come free with an ESPN+ subscription, however. Each PPV will cost an extra $60 on top of your existing subscription fees.
What about the viewing?
Critically for sports content, video can be streamed at up to 60 frames per second, though this will increase your data charges if you’re watching over a mobile connection. Unfortunately, one area where ESPN+ is a lot like its cable channel sibling is advertising. Despite the subscription model, you’ll still encounter a limited number of ads while watching live programming.
On the bright side, if you happen to miss the first part of a game, you can watch live content from the beginning, even if you start watching late.
Not everyone has been thrilled with the service’s performance. During a recent college football game, production problems forced ESPN+ to issue an apology.
What do I need?
The ESPN app is available on almost every device and platform we can think of, including Android smartphones, Android TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Smart TVs, Fire/Kindle tablets, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Roku, Oculus Go, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Samsung Smart TVs. With any luck, platforms like LG’s WebOS, and Vizio’s SmartCast will be added soon, but Vizio owners can use their TV’s built-in Chromecast function for now.
The one limitation is that you must be in the U.S. to watch. There are no international plans at this time, which likely means you won’t have much luck accessing the service abroad, though a VPN might help you get around this roadblock.
That’s the quick-and-easy rundown of ESPN+ and its features. The service is sure to evolve as time goes on, and we’ll keep you updated with all the important additions and changes. You can find out more about ESPN+ on the ESPN Media Zone website. Users of iOS devices can download the ESPN app via iTunes, while Android users will find it on the Play Store.
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