ESPN Plus offers exclusive live sports streams and an extensive on-demand library of ESPN original content. Its in-house series include Detail, ESPN FC, and Pardon the Interruption. But it lacks some flagship shows like Around the Horn and SportsCenter.
Cord cutters can get ESPN through several streaming services, including Fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream. This article will help you decide which service is the best fit for your family.
How to Watch ESPN on Roku
If you have a Roku streaming device, you can watch ESPN content. The ESPN app is free to download and will let you view news, sports information, and highlights. You can also add the ESPN Plus service to your Roku account for a monthly fee, which provides access to exclusive sporting events. To add the ESPN Plus app, visit the Roku Channel Store and enter the Activation Code from your ESPN account.
Unlike traditional cable TV, you can’t get ESPN over the air with an antenna. However, most major live TV streaming services offer ESPN in their base plans. You can choose from Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo TV. You can also bundle ESPN Plus with other streaming services like Disney Plus and Hulu for a discount.
You can also use a service like StreamFab to make your ESPN content available for offline viewing. This is an easy way to make your favorite shows and sports matches available for viewing whenever you want, even without an Internet connection. It’s a great way to watch ESPN on Roku at home or while traveling. StreamFab makes it possible by letting you choose your favorite videos and downloading them to your computer in just a few clicks. Then, you can transfer them to your Roku device for playback.
Hulu + Live TV
If you want to watch ESPN on Roku, your best option is Hulu + Live TV. This contract-free streaming service offers an impressive amount of channels for a low monthly price. It includes Hulu’s on-demand library without commercials, as well as a number of popular cable channels. Local affiliates are also available in most markets. You can stream ESPN and other channels in HD, or record them to watch later on Smart TV Master.
The plan also includes ESPN+, which gives you access to a huge library of sports and entertainment programming. This includes every out-of-market NHL game, coverage of European soccer leagues, mixed martial arts, and more. You can also stream ESPN shows like SportsCenter, First Take, and SportsNation.
Besides ESPN, Hulu + Live TV features more than 85 channels, including local broadcast networks in most markets. This makes it an ideal choice for those who are looking to replace their cable package. The service also includes a cloud DVR with unlimited hours of storage. It supports two simultaneous streams and allows you to watch on your mobile devices.
Other streaming services that offer ESPN on Roku include Sling TV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream. However, the latter is a bit more expensive than the other options. However, it provides a larger selection of channels than the other services. If you’re a sports fan, it may be worth the extra cost to have access to more live sporting events.
Sling TV
If you are an ESPN Plus subscriber, you can watch your favorite sports shows on Roku. The app features live events, replays, news and highlights. It also has an extensive library of on-demand titles including games and shows that aired previously. Those who do not have access to ESPN+ can still stream their favorites using Sling TV, a popular streaming service that provides various channel packages.
The service comes in two options, Sling Orange and Sling Blue. The former offers 31 channels and is aimed at families. It has some overlapping channels with the latter, but the differences are also significant. Sling Blue has a higher number of channels and allows you to stream on three different devices simultaneously. On the other hand, it does not include regional sports networks (RSNs) that broadcast your local NBA, MLB or NHL teams, and there are unskippable ads on some on-demand content.
Moreover, Sling offers a good selection of add-ons. It has a lot more choices than its budget competitor Philo, including channels like FS1, FS2, ESPN2, and ACC Network Extra. The service also includes a 50-hour DVR for its customers. If you want to get more storage, you can pay an additional $5 per month for DVR Plus. The service is a good option for anyone looking to get rid of their cable TV subscription.
YouTube TV
Known in the industry as a multichannel video programming distributor, or MPVD, YouTube TV is Google’s live streaming service. It competes with traditional cable and satellite services as well as other streaming TV services like Hulu With Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and Fubo TV. YouTube TV offers a free trial, which is helpful for trying the service before handing over any money.
The company’s basic plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNews, although it doesn’t include ESPN+. That means that you’ll need to pay a premium for the extra sports and entertainment content offered by ESPN+ or add a paid channel through another provider to get it.
If you do sign up for a subscription, you’ll be able to watch ESPN on Roku anytime you want as long as your device is connected to the Internet and has a compatible Roku TV. You can also use the Roku mobile app to access your favorite shows and movies on the go.
The service’s interface is familiar to anyone who’s used YouTube, which gives it a utilitarian look that’s intuitive and easy to use. The service provides unlimited cloud DVR for each household member and allows you to silo personalized storage spaces, which is great for keeping adult content away from children’s viewing. The service streams in 720p, which is the same HD quality you’d find from most cable and satellite providers.
