How to Watch ESPN Without Cable

If you’d like to watch ESPN without cable, below are 6 of the best streaming services you can use.

ESPN is quite popular among sports fans as it offers a wide variety of sports programming, which includes live games, news, analysis, and documentaries for various sports and competitions. However, the channel is typically accessed through cable or satellite TV, which means that you’d normally have to dig deep in your pocket and have a contract.

Thankfully, in the age of streaming, there are several methods you can use to watch ESPN without cable. These involve using over-the-air streaming services, which cost less than cable and satellite TV and come with a variety of features such as on-demand content, DVR storage, and multiple streams. In this guide, we’ll show you the best.

How to Watch ESPN Without Cable

ESPN fans who don’t have cable have several options available. However, it’s important to note that these services use geo-restrictions to determine the channels they offer or if they offer any at all. First, the services are only available in the US. On top of that, your location in the country is used to filter the channels available.

If you’d like to unblock a streaming service outside the US or change the local channels available, you can use a streaming VPN. However, you will also need to choose the VPN well, as streaming services block most of them.

After that, you can access any of the streaming services below.

1. Sling TV

Sling TV comes as number 1 on our list as it’s the most affordable option. The streaming service is quite popular, and it offers an impressive selection of live television channels that feature top shows and games, including ESPN. Sling TV also has a user-friendly interface along with customizable product offerings catering to specific customer requirements.

The company’s Sling Orange package has a flagship focus on ESPN and other live TV channels owned by Disney Plus. This makes it a great choice for those looking for essential ESPN programming at a low price. On the other hand, Sling Blue provides broader coverage in terms of diverse programming across the country. Sling Orange goes for $40 a month, while Sling Blue costs $45 a month, with more channels but no ESPN. There’s also a Sling + Blue that goes for $60.

The best thing about using Sling TV to watch ESPN is that there’s always a running offer for the first month, which means you can get ESPN, ESPN 2, and ESPN 3 for just $30 or even $20.

Sling TV Details (Orange package):

• Cost: $40/month, with a discount for the first month.
• Number of Channels: 31 channels.
• ESPNChannels: ESPN, ESPN 2, and ESPN 3.
• Simultaneous Streams: 1 device.
• DVR: 50 hours of cloud DVR storage.

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2. Hulu + Live TV

Hulu+ Live TV is another superb option you can use to watch ESPN without cable. The service is an extension of the popular Hulu streaming service, and it offers an extensive selection of live TV channels.

Hulu + Live offers access to a wide range of live sports channels, and ESPN is among them. So whether it’s Monday Night Football, NBA games, or college basketball, you can catch all the action as it unfolds. In addition to the main ESPN channel, the streaming service offers other affiliates, including ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, and ESPN College Extra. This comprehensive coverage ensures that you have access to a diverse range of sports content, making Hulu + Live an attractive choice.

One of the key advantages of Hulu + Live is that it’s integrated with the main Hulu streaming service. This means that apart from live sports, you can also enjoy a huge library of on-demand movies, TV shows, and Hulu Originals. The streaming service also offers a cloud DVR feature, which means that you can record and store your favorite sports events and TV programs to watch later.

Hulu + Live is available across a wide range of devices, and you can watch it on your smart TV, smartphone, computer, or streaming stick. If you are on a budget, you can go for the option with ads, which costs $69.99 a month. The ad-free option goes for $82.99.

Hulu + Live Details:

• Cost: $64.99/month
• Number of Channels: Over 85 channels
• ESPN Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, and ESPN College Extra
• Simultaneous Streams: Two devices.
• DVR: Unlimited cloud DVR storage.

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3. YouTube TV

YouTube TV is another great live tv streaming service you can use to stream ESPN without cable and offers a comprehensive streaming service. The service provides access to a wide range of live TV channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN U, and ESPNU. This means you can watch a diverse selection of sports programming, whether you are an NFL, NBA, MLB, or college sports fan. You’ll have access to live broadcasts of games, analysis, and popular ESPN shows like SportsCenter. YouTube TV also includes lots of other sports networks, so you won’t be limited to ESPN content.

One of the standout features of YouTube TV is its unlimited cloud DVR feature. Thanks to this, you can record any sporting event or TV show to watch whenever you get the time. YouTube TV offers 100+ live TV channels, and it goes for $64.99 a month for your first three months and $72.99 a month after that.

YouTube TV Details:

• Cost: $64.99 a month.
• Number of Channels: Over 85 channels.
• ESPN Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews.
• Simultaneous Streams: 3 devices.
• DVR: Unlimited cloud DVR storage, recordings saved for up to 9 months.

4. DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream is a comprehensive streaming service that offers an extensive lineup of live TV channels, and you can use it to watch ESPN without cable. Formerly known as DirecTV Now and AT&T TV, the service lets sports fans stay connected to their favorite games, matches, and sports analysis. It comes with a robust channel lineup, flexibility, and a user-friendly interface, making it a great option if you want to cut the cord.

DirecTV Stream offers multiple subscription packages, each with its channel lineup. Depending on the package you choose, you can access ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN U, and other popular sports channels. However, both ESPN and ESPN2 are available on the base package, so you don’t need to pay extra if you are just looking for basic ESPN programming.

Besides Live TV, DirecTV Stream also lets you enjoy on-demand content. The service provides a wide range of on-demand shows, movies, and other content that you can access at your convenience. To get started, you can go for the basic package, which goes for $64.99 a month, with a 7-day free trial. You will also get 3 months free trial of several premium networks, including HBO Max, Cinemax, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and EPIX.

DirecTV Stream (Entertainment) Details:

• Cost: $64.99 a month
• Number of Channels: Over 75 channels.
• ESPN Channels: ESPN and ESPN 2.
• Simultaneous Streams: 2 devices.
• DVR: 20 hours of cloud DVR storage.

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5. Fubo TV

Fubo TV is a sports-oriented streaming service that provides access to all sorts of sports streams and sports programming in the US, and you can use it to watch ESPN without cable. The service offers an extensive range of live sports channels in all its packages, with the base package having an incredible 155 channels. Among these is an ESPN live stream, providing a fantastic option for cord-cutters who want to stay connected to their favorite games, matches, and sports analysis. Being sports-oriented, you can use Fubo TV to watch the NFL, NBA and MLB, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, college sports, and more.

Fubo TV’s channel lineup features ESPN, ESPN2, and other popular sports networks such as Fox Sports, beIN Sports, Canela Deportes, Big Network, Bally Sports, NFL Network, NBA League Pass, and many others. All Fubo TV content is in HD, and all packages come with 1000 hours of Cloud DVR space at no extra charge. The plans range from $74.99 to $94.99 a month.

Fubo TV (Pro) Details:

• Cost: $74.99
• Number of Channels: Over 100 channels.
• ESPN Channels:
• Simultaneous Streams: 10 devices.
• DVR: 1000 hours of cloud DVR storage.

6. ESPN+

ESPN+ is a streaming service provided by ESPN. The service doesn’t offer live TV access to the ESPN channel, but it provides a wide range of live sporting events and additional sports content. The streaming service’s main focus is live sports events, original shows, documentaries, and on-demand content that are not available on the regular ESPN channel. However, it also provides some coverage of live events and highlights from ESPN channels, although it won’t act as a complete replacement for accessing the full live programming of the ESPN channel like the other apps listed here.

That said, ESPN+ is a superb platform for accessing a wide range of sports content. Once you subscribe, you’ll gain access to a multitude of live games and matches across various sports, including exclusive coverage of UFC fights, top-tier soccer leagues like Serie A and FA Cup, college sports, and more. In addition to live sports, the service also offers a vast library of on-demand content. Subscribers can explore a collection of exclusive shows, documentaries, sports analysis, original series, and ESPN’s acclaimed 30 for 30 documentaries. A subscription costs only $9.99 a month.

ESPN+ Benefits

• Cost: $9.99/month
• Number of Channels: ESPN+ does not provide live TV channels.
• ESPN Channels: No live TV channels.
• Simultaneous Streams: Up to three devices.
• DVR: No DVR feature.

How Can I Access Free ESPN?

Unfortunately, there is no entirely free method you can use to watch ESPN for free. However, you can still access it for free through most of the streaming services mentioned above, as they offer a free trial.

Does Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast Support Watching ESPN?

ESPN is available on Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast. This is because all the above-mentioned streaming services are compatible with most operating systems.

When you set up your favorite service, you can check out the following shows on ESPN:

• Monday Night Football
• NBA on ESPN
• College GameDay
• Baseball Tonight
• NFL Live

ESPN Popular Sports Channels

ESPN provides a wide variety of live sports. These include:

• National Football League
• National Basketball Association
• National Hockey League
• College Basketball
• College Football
• Major League Baseball
• Soccer
• Tennis
• UFC

Wrap Up

Today, you don’t need cable to watch live TV as there are lots of streaming services you can use to watch the TV channel, along with its affiliate. The guide above should help you choose one that suits your needs.

Enjoy!