If you're a sports fan, or even familiar with the ESPN channel, you've probably heard of ESPN + by now. As ESPN's streaming service, ESPN + is not a replacement for the cable channel, but it does provide subscribers with ample access to new sports coverage and events.
Whether or not you plan to subscribe to the streaming service, here's what you should know about ESPN +.
What it costs
If it seems right for you, there are three different subscription models. An ESPN + subscription costs either $ 5 per month or $ 50 per year. The annual subscription model, while more expensive upfront, will save you $ 10 a year. ESPN also has occasional offers that bundle annual ESPN + subscriptions with UFC Pay-Per-Views. So, if you're a fan of both, be aware that there may be a few bucks you can save.
RecommendedIf you want to watch ESPN +, the new Disney + streaming service, and Hulu, you can get them all in one package - the Disney + Bundle - that costs just $ 13 a month. That's $ 5 cheaper than it would be if you subscribed to all three separately.
A subscription to paid television is still required to watch live ESPN channels, be it via cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service. The app acts as a gatekeeper by requiring users to log in with their TV provider account to enable live viewing. If you need help finding a streaming TV provider, check out our guide to live TV streaming services.
If you find that the service does not meet your needs, you can cancel your subscription at any time without any conditions.
What you get
The service includes selected live MLB, NHL, NBA and MLS games, as well as university sports, PGA golf, top-ranking boxing and grand slam tennis games. You will also find the games of the United Soccer League, Cricket, Rugby, Canadian Football League, English Football League and the UEFA Nations League.
ESPN + Becomes a Football Fan's Best Friend: In addition to the football content listed above, ESPN + has a multi-year contract with the FA Cup - the world's oldest national cup tournament - to stream English football matches in the US in 2020. ESPN + will also stream the Bundesliga, Germany's top soccer league, which previously cost $ 20 through Fox alone.
The app gives you access to scores, news, sports radio, podcasts, an on-demand library, and certain games and programs not available on ESPN's cable channels. There is also a compressed, digital version of the popular network sport Center Summary every day. ESPN + is also the only place you can find the new digital version of ESPN 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 can access games outside of the market through the ESPN app.
ESPN also has exclusive rights to UFC pay-per-views. That makes ESPN + the only place you can stream the biggest games in the action. However, not all of these events are free with an ESPN + subscription. Fight Nights are included, but each PPV is $ 60 on top of your existing subscription fees. This is where you can stay up to date on UFC results, scheduled bouts, top fighters, and more.
In addition to live sports, ESPN + also offers a variety of classic and original ESPN content. ESPN + is home to it all 30 for 30 Documentary library, including successful sports documents like the new Michael Jordan series The last Dance, the complete, Oscar-winning OJ Simpson: Made in America Series and Long gone summer. The original content contains NBA rookswho follows NBA newbies in their first season; The boardroom with KDKevin Durant's show on the business side of sport; Peyton's places, Peyton Manning's show about NFL history, current events, interviews, and more; detail, a show that features top athletes like Kobe Bryant, Daniel Cormier, Manning and other feature films like the pros; and much more.
After hiring House of Highlights founder Omar Raja, ESPN renewed its commitment to digital programming by renovating a 2,750 square foot studio devoted to all things digital. Now ESPN plans to broadcast more than 500 live original broadcasts on ESPN + and other platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat and Facebook.
What about the ad?
It is crucial for sports content that videos can be streamed at up to 60 frames per second. However, this increases your data charges when looking over a mobile connection. Unfortunately, one area where ESPN + is very similar to its siblings on the cable channel is advertising. Despite the subscription model, you will still see a limited number of ads when you watch live programming.
If you miss the first part of a game, you can watch live content from the start, even if you start late.
Not everyone was thrilled with the service's performance. Past production issues forced ESPN + to apologize.
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 and iPhone, iPad, Roku, Oculus Go, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Samsung Smart TVs.
With a bit of luck, platforms like LG's WebOS and Vizio's SmartCast will soon be added, but Vizio owners can use their TV's built-in Chromecast feature for now. The only caveat is you have to be in the US to see as there are no international plans currently - which could be a sticking point for some viewers. Aside from production issues, however, we can't find much else to complain about with ESPN +.
All in all, this is the quick and easy overview of ESPN + and its current features. However, ongoing updates and new developments mean that the service will evolve over time. We will keep you informed about all important additions and changes. In the meantime, you can learn more about ESPN + on the ESPN Media Zone website. IOS device users can download the ESPN app through iTunes, while Android users can find it on the Play Store.
Editor's recommendations
