ESPN+ and DIRECTV STREAM are two of the best streaming services for sports, but can you watch them on the same platform? We’ll explain everything you need to know.
2 Services, 2 Platforms
DIRECTV STREAM is a live TV streaming service with 35 of the top 35 cable channels, all your local channels, and an unlimited DVR.
But ESPN+ is not a channel; it’s a standalone service. You cannot add ESPN+ to DIRECTV STREAM. You’ll need separate subscriptions.
If you choose both subscriptions, you will be able to connect them and watch some DIRECTV STREAM sports within the ESPN+ app, but you can’t watch ESPN+ content within the DIRECTV STREAM app.
What Sports Are Available on Each Platform?
Both DIRECTV STREAM and ESPN+ are great choices for livestreamed sports and there’s little overlap between them.
DIRECTV STREAM’s Sports Lineup
DIRECTV STREAM is our favorite streaming option for live sports. It offers nearly every channel you could want. You’ll also get access to many 4K broadcasts.
DIRECTV STREAM includes the most important broadcast sports channels like ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, FS1, NBC, TBS, and TNT.
DIRECTV STREAM carries league-specific channels: MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, and NHL Network.
DIRECTV STREAM’s College Sports channels: ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, SEC Network, and truTV.
DIRECTV STREAM other sports channels: ESPNEWS, FanDuel TV, Golf Channel, and Tennis Channel.
DIRECTV STREAM also offers the best regional sports lineup available with with Altitude, SportsNet Pittsburgh, Chicago Sports Network, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, FanDuel Sports Network Florida, FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes, FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City, FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, FanDuel Sports Network North, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma, FanDuel Sports Network SoCal, FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, FanDuel Sports Network Southwest, FanDuel Sports Network Sun, FanDuel Sports Network West, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, Marquee Sports Network, MASN, MASN2, Monumental Sports Network, MSG, MSG Sportsnet, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NESN, Rockies.TV Channel, Root Sports Northwest, Space City Home Network, Spectrum SportsNet, Spectrum SportsNet LA, SportsNet NY, Utah 16 (KUPX), and YES Network.
ESPN+ Sports Lineup
Subscribers can see 32,000+ live events every year.
- UFC Fight Nights
- Exclusive UFC Pay-Per-View events
- 50+ exclusive and 1,000 out-of-market NHL Power Play games per season
- College football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, gymnastics, wrestling, and more from 20 conferences across the country
- LaLiga
- Bundesliga
- FA Cup
- Copa Del Rey
- EFL Championship
- Carabao Cup
- 4,300+ live, exclusive hours of golf coverage across 35 tournaments on PGA TOUR LIVE
- Masters and PGA Championship coverage
- Top Rank Boxing
- Grand Slam tennis
- Major League Baseball
- International cricket
- 25,000+ hours of women’s sports
What Do DIRECTV STREAM and ESPN+ Cost?
DIRECTV STREAM starts at $86.99 / month, though you can add more channels for additional cost. (Regional sports networks aren’t available unless you choose the “Choice” package for $114.99 / month.)
ESPN+ is $10.99 / month.
You can save money by bundling ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+. Another option is Hulu Live TV, which gives you all three of those services for free. Hulu Live TV starts at $82.99 / month
Can You Watch DIRECTV STREAM or ESPN+ for Free?
Yes! DIRECTV STREAM offers a 5-day free trial.
The only way to watch ESPN+ for free is with the 3 day FREE trial of Hulu Live TV.
That package gives you 33 of the top 35 cable channels, all your local channels, an unlimited DVR, and free access to Hulu on demand, Disney+, and ESPN+. No other service gives you so much entertainment for one subscription.
If you have Hulu Live TV, there isn’t much reason to have DIRECTV STREAM.
Related: DIRECTV STREAM vs. Hulu Live TV: Which Should You Choose? ►
ESPN+
ESPN+ is a live TV streaming service that gives access to thousands of live sporting events including NFL, MLB, NHL, UFC, College Football, F1, Bundesliga, PGA Tour, La Liga, and more. Users can see sports documentaries and select archived events. Subscribers can access exclusive articles from top ESPN insiders.