Which live TV streamers are best for watching ESPN networks?
Which live TV streamers are best for watching ESPN networks?
The College Football Playoff, ‘Monday Night Football,’ and much more air on ESPN, and these are the best ways to watch the ESPN networks without cable.
ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro may not like the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” moniker the channel has been associated with for years, but it’s still an apt description. The channel and its sibling networks like ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNEWS, and ESPNU carry a huge selection of live sports, including the NFL’s “Monday Night Football,” NBA, NHL, and MLB regular season and playoff games, college football and basketball, and thousands more games.
Viewers who have tried ESPN+ probably already know that service can’t be used to watch everything that’s found on ESPN cable channels, but there are plenty of ways to stream the channel without a cable subscription. You’ll need a live TV streaming service to do so, and we’ll tell you which ones we think are best for watching ESPN here!
What are the best live TV streamers for watching ESPN channels?
How to stream ESPN channels without cable
If you want to stream MegaCast presentations of College Football Playoff games or ensure you have access to ESPN2 to watch the ManningCast version of “Monday Night Football” during NFL regular seasons, you don’t just need ESPN. You’ll need sibling networks like ESPNEWS and ESPNU as well; find out how to stream the entire ESPN family of sports channels in the chart below, and keep reading to see which service we recommend most highly.
| DTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | Get 50% OFF | Sign Up | |||
| $86.99 | $94.99 | $82.99 | $28 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $82.99 | ||
| ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| ESPN2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| ESPN3 | ✓ | + $20 | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| ESPNEWS | + $28 | + $8 | ✓ | - | + $11 | - | ✓ | |
| ESPNU | + $28 | + $8 | ✓ | - | + $11 | - | ✓ | |
Top choice to stream ESPN without cable: Sling TV
The best pick for watching ESPN on the live TV streaming market is Sling TV. It carries ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 in its Orange channel package, which starts at $46 per month. ESPN3’s inclusion in the lineup means you’ll also get to watch all live sporting events on ABC with this plan, regardless of whether or not you live in an area where Sling offers that broadcast network.
You do have to pay an extra $11 per month for the Sports Extra plan with Sling TV, but this will guarantee you access to ESPNEWS and ESPNU as well. The combined total of $57 per month to get all of these ESPN channels is the lowest on the market.
Best alternative with entertainment value: Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is a good second choice if you’re looking to stream ESPN, and it comes with a three-day free trial for all new customers. Plans start at $82 per month, but for $83 you’ll get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ included in your subscription as well. Hulu + Live TV doesn’t force you to buy any add-ons to get ESPNU or ESPNEWS, and it comes with more than 90 total channels, including local broadcast networks in most markets.
Best ESPN streaming choice for TV loves: DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM channel plans start at $87 per month, though this service comes with a five-day free trial for all new subscribers. It carries ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 in all channel packages, though you’ll have to upgrade to get ESPNU and ESPNEWS. The good news is that DIRECTV STREAM comes with three English-language channel plans to choose from, so you can pick exactly the ESPN content that you want most.
Great choice to stream ESPN for sports fans: Fubo
Fubo puts the power of choice in your hands. Only looking to watch ESPN and ESPN2, and don’t need access to your local regional sports network? Check out the Essential plan for only $80 per month. Want to upgrade and include more ESPN networks? Look into the Pro or Elite packages. Whatever your needs, Fubo has a plan to help you stream ESPN at the right price point.
Solid option to stream ESPN without extra benefits): YouTube TV
Like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV has ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNEWS, and ESPNU in its base channel plan, with no add-ons required. Also like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV costs $83 per month. Unlike Hulu + Live TV, however, YouTube TV does not include any free on-demand streaming services with an account, nor does it have a standardized free trial length for all new customers.