ESPN
ESPN is a TV channel that you can watch with a live TV streaming service.
- DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment
- $86.99 / month
- Sling TV Sling Orange
- $40 / month
How to Watch ESPN Live Without Cable in 2024
As avid sports fans and cord-cutting enthusiasts, we’ve extensively tested various streaming services to find the best way to watch ESPN without cable. There are six live TV streaming services that offer ESPN as a great option to stream your favorite teams and anticipated match-ups.
ESPN, in our opinion, is the must-have channel to watch NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and College games. Not only is it the exclusive channel for many games or entire sports, but we’ve experienced better picture quality and higher caliber commentators on ESPN than other sports networks.
Amongst the live TV streaming platforms carrying ESPN, you will find DIRECTV STREAM, Sling, Hulu, Fubo, Vidgo, and YouTube TV. We’ve ranked them in that order for a reason and discuss the pros and cons of each below. You’ll also find out how ESPN and ESPN+ differ, why ESPN is not carried by other streaming platforms, and, probably most importantly, how to choose the platform that is best for you based on current prices, deals, and free trials.
We will walk you through the various options to stream ESPN, and help you figure out which is the best for you to stream. In many cases, you can get started with a free trial before you subscribe to a streaming TV service.
What are the best streaming services that carry ESPN?
You have 5 options to watch ESPN online. You can watch with a 5-Day Free Trial of DIRECTV STREAM. You can also watch with Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, and YouTube TV. Unfortunately, you cannot stream ESPN with Philo.
After comparing all your options, if you are a on a budget, we a subscription to Sling TV, since it is the least expensive way to watch ESPN. For viewers who want ESPN and additional channels, you could consider a a subscription to Hulu + Live TV, which is more expensive but has a larger bundle of TV channels for sports fans. It also now includes ESPN+ at no extra charge.
With these options, you can watch ESPN on popular streaming devices like Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, mobile devices, tablets, and Smart TVs.
Watch ESPN
We recommend DIRECTV STREAM for most viewers.
You'll be able to watch ESPN and 31 of the Top 35 Cable channels.
| ★ Best Choice | |
|---|---|
| DIRECTV STREAM | Sling TV |
| Entertainment | Sling Orange |
| $86.99 / mo. 5-Day Free Trial | $40 / mo. Get 50% OFF |
| $86.99 / month 5-Day Free Trial directv.com/stream | $40 / month Get 50% OFF sling.com |
Choose $15 OFF each month for the first 2 months of Entertainment with Sports Pack or $20 OFF each month for the first 3 months of Choice or Ultimate. | Limited Time: Get 50% OFF Your First Month of Sling TV |
• ESPN | • ESPN |
- A&E | • A&E |
• AMC | • AMC |
• BET | • BET |
• Bravo | - Bravo |
• Cartoon Network | • Cartoon Network |
• CNN | • CNN |
• Comedy Central | • Comedy Central |
• Discovery | - Discovery |
• Disney Channel | • Disney Channel |
• Disney Junior | - Disney Junior |
• E! | - E! |
• ESPN | • ESPN |
• Food Network | • Food Network |
• Fox News | - Fox News |
• Freeform | • Freeform |
• FX | - FX |
• FXX | - FXX |
• Hallmark Channel | - Hallmark Channel |
• HGTV | • HGTV |
- History | • History |
• Investigation Discovery | • Investigation Discovery |
- Lifetime | • Lifetime |
• MSNBC | - MSNBC |
• MTV | - MTV |
• Nickelodeon | - Nickelodeon |
• Paramount Network | - Paramount Network |
• Syfy | - Syfy |
• TBS | • TBS |
• TLC | - TLC |
• TNT | • TNT |
- Travel Channel | • Travel Channel |
• truTV | - truTV |
• USA Network | - USA Network |
• VH1 | - VH1 |
• WE tv | - WE tv |
| 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 | $40 | $40 | $72.99 | ||
| ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
TV Everywhere App
Some live TV streaming services include access to Watch ESPN, which has live and on demand ESPN shows.
| DTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | Get 50% OFF | Sign Up | |
| $86.99 | $94.99 | $82.99 | $28 | $40 | $40 | $72.99 | |
| Watch ESPN | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ |
All Live TV Streaming Services to Watch ESPN
1: DIRECTV STREAM
A Solid All-In-One Option
In our experience, DIRECTV STREAM proves to be the best choice for watching sports. With a channel lineup that includes ESPN along with a wide range of other popular channels, it offers comprehensive sports channels like Fox Sports 1, TBS, TNT, and ESPN2 as well as national coverage of ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. You can easily upgrade your package or add more channels.
What we like about the service is the flexibility it provides, allowing you to choose from different plans to suit your preferences. It is not the cheapest option, but not the most expensive either. Month-to-month subscriptions start at $86.99 but you can start with a 5-day free trial today.
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Strengths: Sports-centric service with a vast range of sports channels, including ESPN; the most channels of any live-tv streaming service; excellent streaming quality; unlimited DVR; 5-day free trial; and up to 20 users can stream at the same time.
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Weaknesses: Not the cheapest monthly option for ESPN only; Outages during market disputes; and not available on PlayStation or Xbox consoles.
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Other Channels on DIRECTV STREAM: DIRECTV STREAM has 65 channels as part of their plan, including A&E, AMC, BET, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, E!, Food Network, Fox News, Freeform, FX, FXX, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, History, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, MSNBC, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Syfy, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, USA Network, VH1, and WE tv. See the full DIRECTV STREAM Channel List.
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Supported Devices: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV
Why you should choose DIRECTV STREAM for ESPN:
DIRECTV STREAM supports a wide range of devices to stream ESPN and is the most comprehensive streaming platform for sports. It also comes with a 5-day risk-free trial, making it an easy decision to see if you like the service or not. See our full review of DIRECTV for more info.
2. Sling
Budget-Friendly with Decent Channel Selection
If you’re on a budget and still want to enjoy ESPN, Sling is a compelling option. In our experience, what we like about the service is its affordability and the variety of sports channels it offers, including ESPN.
Sling comes in two packages: Orange and Blue. The Orange package carries ESPN while the Blue package does not. Both packages are $40 per month or combined at $55 per month – giving you a rounded number of popular sports and non-sports channels. It does not have a free trial, but luckily, you can save 50% off your first month for a limited time.
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Strengths: Cheapest live streaming option with ESPN; access to some of the most popular cable channels; 50 hours of DVR; and ability to add premium content.
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Weaknesses: No free trial; Interface and streaming quality are not as polished as other services; and limited channel lineup.
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Other Channels on Sling: Sling TV has 30 channels as part of their plan, including A&E, AMC, BET, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery, Disney Channel, E!, Food Network, Fox News, Freeform, FX, HGTV, History, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, MSNBC, Syfy, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, and USA Network. View the full Sling channel lineup.
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Supported Devices: Sling TV supports a wide-range of devices to stream ESPN including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV. Sling TV is not available to stream on PlayStation and Nintendo.
Why Sling for ESPN is a Good Choice:
If you don’t care about regional sports networks and really just want to save some money, then Sling is your best option. Sling works on all major Smart TVs, streaming devices, and even Xbox. It even has access to popular channels like Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNN, Discovery, Disney Channel, E!, Food Network, Fox News, and USA Network. See our full review of Sling to see all channels and features.
3. Hulu Live TV
A Bundle for Sports & Entertainment Fans
For viewers who want ESPN and additional channels and Disney movies, we recommend Hulu Live TV based on our experience. What we like about the service is its extensive channel lineup, which includes multiple ESPN channels, local channels, and free access to Disney+ and ESPN+.
The interface is user-friendly, and it provides a seamless streaming experience. However, it is worth noting that the monthly cost is higher compared to other options, and some users may find the ads a bit overwhelming. Plus, subscription rates on Hulu Live TV increase in October. Right now the price for Hulu Live TV is $82.99.
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Strengths: Local channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX; the Hulu on-demand catalog; unlimited DVR; Owned by same company as ESPN; and free access to Disney+ and ESPN+.
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Weaknesses: No free trial; increased cost makes it more expensive than DIRECTV or Sling.
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Other Channels on Hulu Live TV: Hulu Live TV has 70 channels as part of their plan, including A&E, BET, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, E!, Food Network, Fox News, Freeform, FX, FXX, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, History, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, MSNBC, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Syfy, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, USA Network, and VH1.
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Supported Devices: Hulu Live TV supports a wide-range of devices to stream ESPN including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
Why watch ESPN on Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV has been around for longer than any other live TV streamer and has a polished user interface. The platform is available on all major devices and TVs and comes with a free subscription to Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu originals. Every Hulu Live TV subscriber can record ESPN to their Unlimited Cloud DVR, while 2 users can stream at the same time. For $9.99/month, you can upgrade to use on unlimited devices at home and three on-the-road.
4. Fubo
Sports-Centric Service with ESPN Included
If you’re solely interested in sports content, Fubo is worth considering. Our experience shows that Fubo offers a sports-centric streaming service, including ESPN. With a vast range of sports channels and excellent streaming quality, it offers a premium viewing experience. However, it is one of the pricier options available, coming in at $94.99. But it does come with a 7-Day Free Trial to get you started.
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Strengths: Free trial; tons of sports channels; 1000 hours of DVR included; and streaming quality.
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Weaknesses: One of the most expensive options available; trials and discounts are erratic; based on subscription, you may be locked into a quarterly plan rather than month-to-month.
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Other Channels Available on Fubo: Fubo has 90 channels as part of their plan, including BET, Bravo, Comedy Central, Discovery, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, E!, Food Network, Fox News, Freeform, FX, FXX, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, MSNBC, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Syfy, TLC, Travel Channel, USA Network, and VH1. See the full Fubo channel list.
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Supported Devices: Every Fubo subscriber can record ESPN to their 1000 hours Cloud DVR, while 3 users can stream at the same time. Fubo supports ESPN on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV. Fubo is not available to stream on PlayStation and Nintendo.
Why you should choose Fubo for ESPN:
Fubo is the sports-centered live TV streamer, but it also has crowd-pleasing channels for sports fans and beyond. If you are looking for a quick way to watch a game, the free trial is handy (though it is only available to new subscribers and you’ll be charged if you forget to cancel). The picture quality is also one of the best of all the live TV streamers.
5. YouTube TV
A Well-Rounded Streaming Service
YouTube TV is just as good as cable, without the cable plan. It’s got national channels, sports channels (including ESPN), local sports networks, and premium add-ons. At $72.99, YouTube TV is not cheap. We’ve put it further down on our list because of the price and the lack of a free trial. But if you want to watch NFL Sunday Ticket in addition to ESPN, YouTube TV is the only place to get it.
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Strengths: Well-rounded streaming service with a good selection of channels, including ESPN; unlimited DVR; only place to watch Sunday Ticket; and available on almost all gaming consoles too.
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Weaknesses: One of the most expensive live TV streaming services; and only allows three users at the same time.
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Other Channels Available on YouTube TV: YouTube TV has 60 channels as part of their plan, including AMC, BET, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, E!, Food Network, Fox News, Freeform, FX, FXX, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, MSNBC, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Syfy, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, USA Network, VH1, and WE tv.
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Supported Devices: YouTube TV supports a wide-range of devices to stream ESPN including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV. YouTube TV is not available to stream on Nintendo.
Why watch ESPN on YouTube TV:
YouTube TV has almost every channel you’d ever want. It comes with unlimited DVR storage, works on pretty much every device, and is also the only place to get NFL Sunday Ticket.
Can I watch ESPN with Philo?
No, Philo does not offer ESPN with the streaming service.
While they don’t offer ESPN, they do have 60 channels as part of their plan, including A&E, AMC, BET, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, History, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TLC, Travel Channel, VH1, and WE tv. Philo costs $28, after a 7-Day Free Trial.
This is the full Philo Channel List.
Philo supports a wide-range of devices to stream including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV. Philo is not available to stream on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and onn.
More ESPN Streaming Tips
How to watch ESPN without Cable
There are many live TV streaming services, but only six of them allow you to watch ESPN online or without cable. Your first steps, before picking one of the live streaming services, are to make sure that you have the right setup to stream ESPN. You’ll need:
- High-Speed Internet. In order to stream your favorite teams and games on ESPN, I suggest at least 25 Mbps. That way you won’t be stuck with too much buffering during the most important plays.
- A Streaming Device. This could be your laptop or phone, but you’ll probably want it on a bigger screen to see all the plays. That will require a Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, or a smart TV that connects to the internet.
- An Idea Of What You Want. Live TV Streaming services range anywhere from $20 per month all the way up to $155 per month. That’s mostly because ESPN could be lightly bundled or heavily bundled based on the package and service you purchase. It’s important to know what other channels are important to you – which is why The Streamable built our matchmaker tool to help you decide when combining different channels and markets.
Once you have those prerequisites down, it is time to get a live TV streaming service that actually carries ESPN. For example, while Paramount, Prime, and Peacock broadcast live sports, they do not have the ESPN channel. Philo, similarly, is another live streaming subscription service that does not carry any sports channels. Video-on-demand services, such as Netflix and Disney+ do not carry live channels at all, so you won’t find ESPN there either.
Can You Watch ESPN on ESPN+?
With a subscription to ESPN+, you won’t get access to your linear ESPN feed. However, some content that airs on ESPN will be simulcast on ESPN+. For instance, you can watch select Monday Night Football games, as well as NHL and NBA on ESPN games. We have a full overview of what you can watch on ESPN+.
What Sports Can You Watch with ESPN?
ESPN has a broad variety of live sports. It is the exclusive home to Monday Night Football, along with Sunday Night Baseball, and 100+ NBA and NHL games. For College Sports fans, it is the home to games from all major conferences, and is the only place you can watch College Bowl games, the College Football Playoff, and National Championship game.
What Other Shows Are Available on ESPN?
Popular shows on the channel include the flagship “SportsCenter” franchise, “Pardon the Interruption,” “Around the Horn,” and “30 for 30.”
Can You Subscribe to Just ESPN?
Unfortunately, there is no direct-to-consumer option for ESPN, but that may change in the future. While you can subscribe to ESPN+, it does not include streaming access to ESPN. The least expensive way to get it is as part of Sling Orange Plan, which carries ESPN and 30+ other channels.