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Streaming has largely overtaken cable and satellite as the preferred method to watch movies and TV shows at your leisure. Low price points and the ability to watch on the go are primary reasons for the migration, but one sector has largely resisted any such paradigm shift — professional sports.AdvertisementIf you're a sports fan, you might be shelling out for traditional cable just to watch your favorite team. Hefty deals between sports leagues and TV networks have prevented services like Netflix from streaming games, but
Updated on 05/07/2020 by Steven Cohen: We've revised this article to include more details about UFC PPV events on ESPN+. We've also added more information about what type of content is and is not included with an ESPN+ subscription.
What is ESPN+?
ESPN+ is a streamingPreviously, ESPN Insider offered subscribers exclusive written articles for a monthly $4.99 fee. ESPN decided to add video to the mix and created ESPN+ for the same price, giving subscribers access to stories, live streaming, and on-demand videos.
What's included with ESPN+?
ESPN+ includes a bevy of exclusive video content from live games to on-demand shows and exclusive stories. Unfortunately, the live games come with commercials — just like regular TV.AdvertisementSubscribers can watch live games from the MLB, NHL, and MLS; there are no live NBA or NFL games. There's also PGA golf, UFC, college football, international soccer, and tennis.
Beyond PPV events, there are also original shows exclusive to ESPN+, including in-depth game recaps and analyses hosted by Peyton Manning and Daniel Cormier, and a shorter version of "NFL Primetime." Original shows and documentaries, like "30 for 30," as well as full replays of historic NFL games are also available to stream on-demand.
Does ESPN+ offer UFC PPV events?
If you're a fan of UFC or boxing, ESPN+ will often offer exclusive PPV matches so you'll get even more content from the service. This includes UFC 249 which is set to stream live on May 9.AdvertisementThe PPV event costs $64.99 for existing subscribers. Check out our full breakdown of UFC 249 for more details on how to order the match, along with a complete rundown of the fight card lineup.
What's not included with ESPN+?
ESPN+ is technically separate from ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNews, so a subscription will not grant you access to live games being broadcast on those networks, including any live games during Monday Night Football and Sunday Night Baseball. That said, MLB games are still available to be streamed.
New docuseries currently airing on ESPN, like "The Last Dance," are also not included with a subscription. With that said, programs like this could be added to the ESPN+ library at a later date.AdvertisementYour ESPN+ account is not the same as a cable login with access to the ESPN networks, so there's no way of getting around it either.
How much does ESPN+ cost?
An ESPN+ subscription will only run you $4.99 per month, or $49.99 annually — $10 less than what you'd pay if you go month to month.
There's also a combo package that bundles ESPN+ with Hulu and the new Disney Plus streaming service for just $12.99 per month — a $5 savings each month compared to getting all three services separately.AdvertisementWhere can I watch ESPN+?
One of the cool things about ESPN+ is that you can access it through the current ESPN app.
Instead of launching a separate app, all the ESPN+ content is unlocked in the ESPN app once you subscribe. The app is available on virtually every platform you can imagine — phones, tablets, laptops, Roku players, Fire TV products, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, PS4, Xbox One, and Samsung smart TVs.
You can also stream on up to three devices simultaneously with one account.AdvertisementHow do I sign up for ESPN+?
Head over to the ESPN+ website and create an account, or open your existing ESPN account and you'll be prompted to sign up.