How To Stream ESPN Without Cable: Watch Live Sports in 2021

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Are you trying to stream ESPN without a cable subscription?

You’re in luck. There are several ways to get your fix on the latest live sports events, SportsCenter broadcast or sports talk debate show while also cutting the cord from cable or satellite.

In this article, Team Clark will help you find the right live streaming TV service for watching all of ESPN’s channels on your budget. We’ll also explore opportunities for streaming ESPN content beyond paying for live TV streaming.



Live Streaming TV Services That Offer ESPN

ESPN

If you want to watch ESPN live without a cable or satellite subscription, you will need to subscribe to a live streaming TV service.

As of this writing, five of seven major live streaming packages offer ESPN and its family of networks. You’ll need to analyze the combination of price and availability of other channels that interest you to select the service that works best for your household.

Live Streaming ServiceOffers ESPNMonthly Subscription Price
YouTube TVYes$64.99
Hulu + Live TVYes$64.99
AT&T TVYes$69.99
fuboTVYes$64.99
Sling TV OrangeYes$35
Sling TV BlueNo$35
PhiloNo$25

Best Value Option for Livestreaming ESPN: Sling TV Orange

If getting ESPN is your top goal when signing up for a streaming service, the most cost-effective way is the Sling TV Orange package at $35 per month.

In addition to ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3, you’ll also get cable favorites such as TBS, TNT, CNN and more. And if you’re willing to pay an extra $15 per month, you can upgrade to the Sling Orange+Blue package, which offers both of Sling’s $35 packages for just $50 per month total.


What About ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU and ESPNews?

If a live TV streaming service has paid for the rights to broadcast the ESPN channel, there’s a good chance that you’ll also get access to at least some of the rest of ESPN’s family of networks with your subscription. In most cases that includes ESPN2, and in others it may also include ESPN3, ESPNU or ESPNews.

ESPN2

ESPN2

For ESPN2, you’ll notice that the same five live TV streaming subscriptions that offer ESPN also offer the sister station:

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Live Streaming ServiceOffers ESPN2Monthly Subscription Price
YouTube TVYes$64.99
Hulu + Live TVYes$64.99
AT&T TVYes$69.99
fuboTVYes$64.99
Sling TV OrangeYes$35
Sling TV BlueNo$35
PhiloNo$25

From a cost standpoint, Sling Orange is still your best bet for streaming ESPN2.


ESPN3

ESPN3

ESPN3, which actually is a digital network that streams thousands of live events annually, comes as a part of the subscription package for some of the live streaming TV services that offer ESPN and ESPN 2 — but not all of them.

Only YouTube TV, fuboTV and Sling Orange offer ESPN3 in addition to ESPN and ESPN2.

Live Streaming ServiceOffers ESPN3Monthly Subscription Price
YouTube TVYes$64.99
Hulu + Live TVNo$64.99
AT&T TVNo$69.99
fuboTVYes$64.99
Sling TV OrangeYes$35
Sling TV BlueNo$35
PhiloNo$25

Sling Orange remains the cheapest live TV streaming option that offers access to ESPN3.


ESPNU

ESPNU

ESPNU, which is a college-oriented channel that often carries live college sports games, is available on several live streaming TV platforms.

However, it’s only a part of the base subscription for YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Others that offer the channel require you to upgrade to get it. Here’s a breakdown:

Live Streaming ServiceOffers ESPNUMonthly Subscription Price
YouTube TVYes$64.99
Hulu + Live TVYes$64.99
AT&T TVOnly with upgrade$84.99 (“Choice” package)
fuboTVOnly with upgrade$64.99 (Must pay $8 per month for “fubo Extra.”)
Sling TV OrangeOnly with upgrade$35 (Must pay $11 per month for “Sports Extra.”)
Sling TV BlueNo$35
PhiloNo$25

While sticking with Sling Orange is still the cheapest option for ESPNU access, you may want to start considering YouTube TV if you consider this channel to be a necessity. YouTube TV carries all of the ESPN channels mentioned thus far and has a deeper sports channel library than Sling Orange.


ESPNews

ESPNEWS

Once known solely as a 24-hour sports news and highlight channel, ESPNews now airs more than just that loop of sports desk content. ESPNews carries portions of live games and sometimes airs them in their entirety.

In fact, many sports fans are all too familiar with the instructions ESPN sometimes gives to change the channel to ESPNews to watch the beginning of a game while the one airing on the network comes to a conclusion.

Here are your live TV streaming subscription options:

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Live Streaming ServiceOffers ESPNewsMonthly Subscription Price
YouTube TVYes$64.99
Hulu + Live TVYes$64.99
AT&T TVOnly with upgrade$84.99 (“Choice” package)
fuboTVOnly with upgrade$64.99 (Must pay $8 per month for “fubo Extra.”)
Sling TV OrangeOnly with upgrade$35 (Must pay $11 per month for “Sports Extra.”)
Sling TV BlueNo$35
PhiloNo$25

YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are the only services that offer this channel as a part of their base packages. As you may have noticed, this menu is similar to that of the services that offer ESPNU.

Sling, AT&T and fubo each require an upgraded package in order to view ESPNews.


What is ESPN+ and How Do I Get It?

ESPN+

Launched in 2018, ESPN+ is one of the newest digital-only branches of the ESPN family of networks. It features live streaming of baseball, tennis, soccer, golf, UFC and more. It also offers on-demand access to exclusive ESPN+ productions as well as the popular “30 for 30” sports documentary series.

This service sometimes is confused with the digital-only ESPN3 offering that comes with select subscription packages. But you won’t find ESPN+ as a channel on any cable, satellite or live TV streaming subscription. Instead, you must pay for this content separately.

ESPN+ is available as a standalone subscription at $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year. It also can be purchased as part of a streaming bundle that includes Hulu (non-live) and Disney+ for $13.99 per month.


How To Access ESPN by Streaming the ESPN App

Did you know that you can access ESPN live streams from your phone or tablet through the ESPN app?

You can do so, but only with the credentials from a valid and active cable or streaming subscription that pays for access to ESPN content. There are no freebies here.

You can live stream the following ESPN channels on the app:

  • ESPN
  • ESPN2
  • ESPN3
  • ESPNU
  • SEC Network
  • SEC Network +
  • ESPNews
  • ESPN Deportes
  • Longhorn Network
  • ACC Network Extra
  • Goal Line/Buzzer Beater/Bases Loaded

To do so, you simply download the app on an approved device or visit the official website.

You will then be prompted to sign in using your cable, satellite or live TV streaming subscription service. You will then gain access to the channels you’re paying for with that service via the app. ESPN+ members may also log in through this app.

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In the past, you may have heard an ESPN announcer say that you can watch ESPN on the WatchESPN app. Note that WatchESPN is no longer a standalone app. You can find it within the regular ESPN app on your phone, tablet or streaming device.


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