As a veteran streaming analyst and self-proclaimed sports nut, I‘ve subscribed to just about every major sports service out there. And when it comes to striking the perfect balance between niche coverage and mainstream sports, while offering exclusive original programming, nothing quite compares to ESPN+.
But like many fans, I remember first struggling to understand ESPN‘s dizzying array of streaming options. Between the ESPN website, ESPN app, and ESPN+, what exactly did I need to watch my favorite teams and events?
After sorting through the confusion and diging into the fine details, I realized that ESPN+ unlocks a whole new world of sports coverage beyond the ESPN channels. Now I want to pass on everything I‘ve learned to help fellow fans smoothly activate their ESPN+ accounts.
Consider this your insider‘s guide to navigating the signup process, troubleshooting issues, and tapping into ESPN+‘s full potential across your devices. Let‘s dive in!
A Bird‘s Eye View of ESPN+
Before we get to activation, first comes context. As Walt Disney Company‘s dedicated sports streaming service, ESPN+ fills a valuable niche in Disney‘s broader streaming portfolio.
Officially launching in 2018 after two years in development, ESPN+ provides fans access to live sports and programs not available on ESPN TV. This includes over 1,050 out-of-market MLS, NHL and MLB games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, college sports, PGA Tour golf, international rugby, cricket and more [1].
It also offers hundreds of soccer matches from LaLiga, Bundesliga, FA Cup and others. Plus exclusive original studio shows, 30 for 30 documentaries and fantasy sports tools.
As of 2022, ESPN+ has attracted over 24.3 million subscribers globally [2]. And it‘s projected to pull in nearly $5 billion in total annual revenue by 2024 [3].
So in just a few short years, ESPN+ has rapidly emerged as an indispensible hub for diehard, out-of-market sports fans. Next up, let‘s get you subscribed and watching!
Creating Your ESPN+ Account
Signing up for ESPN Plus is a breeze, taking just minutes from start to finish. Simply follow these steps:
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Visit plus.espn.com or open the ESPN app
You can signup directly from ESPN‘s website here:
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Select "Get ESPN+" if new user or "Log In" if you have an existing ESPN/Disney account
- New users should create an ESPN+ account with an email and password
- Existing ESPN, Disney+ or Hulu members can use their login credentials to add ESPN+
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Choose your plan and payment method
Pick whether you want to pay monthly ($9.99/month) or save 16% with the annual plan ($99.99/year).
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Start watching live sports and ESPN+ originals!
Once subscribed, you‘ll have immediate access to stream sports envent, replays and exclusive series.
By leveraging a current ESPN account, you can bundle ESPN+ with other Disney streaming services more seamlessly. But either way, within about 5 minutes you can unlock a trove of top-notch sports coverage.
Next let‘s walk through installing and troubleshooting ESPN+ across all major platforms.
Activating and Troubleshooting ESPN+ Across Devices
One underrated benefit of ESPN+ is robust platform support across smartphones, tablets, streaming TV, game consoles and more.
But device activation can also pose challenges if you run into technical snags. As a long-time cordcutter myself, I‘ve run into most activation issues you might encounter.
So let me provide some handy troubleshooting advice to squash problems as they arise while setting up ESPN+:
Smartphones and Tablets
Installing ESPN+ your iPhone, iPad or Android device is speedy if you download directly from your device‘s app store.
But occasionally the activation link between ESPN+ and the main ESPN app breaks. If the ESPN app prompts you to subscribe again, force quit and clear the app‘s cache/data before relaunching.
Streaming Devices
PlatformAccess ProcessRokuSearch for ESPN in Roku store and installFire TVFind ESPN app in Fire TV storePlayStationAdd ESPN app from PlayStation StoreXboxOne/Series X|SLocate ESPN app in Microsoft StoreApple TVDiscover ESPN app in tvOS App StoreChromecastEnable ESPN app casting in Google Home
Streaming devices like Roku and Fire TV offer the most straightforward ESPN+ activation through their respective app stores.
But platforms like gaming consoles introduce more variability. On Playstation and Xbox, always be sure you‘ve updated to the latest firmware/system software before installing the ESPN app.
And Chromecasts rely on casting from a mobile device – so check your phone has location services enabled or else your Chromecast may block certain streaming content.
Web Browsers
For browser viewing, use only recommended mainstream browsers like Chrome, Firefox or Safari in their latest versions.
Since ESPN+ relies on Widevine DRM for content protection, outdated browsers often don‘t support required DRM extensions. If ESPN+ loads erroneously or won‘t play video, update your browser first.
Regional Restrictions
Due to stringent league broadcast rights, a portion of live sporting events may be subject to blackouts in your area on ESPN+.
In particular, in-market MLB and NHL games will be unavailable in home team territories. Double check the event details for broadcast restrictions before tuning in.
By understanding these nuances in advanced, you‘ll save substantial headache and hassle down the road.
Payment Problems
When first subscribing, occasionally fraud filters may mistakenly flag your payment method resulting in error messages during checkout.
If you encounter a payment issue, try again with a different card or payment option like PayPal. Adding your address details can also clear up problems triggering fraud filters.
And if errors persist, contact ESPN+ support to remove any blocks so payments process cleanly.
ESPN+ Viewing Recommendations
Once you have ESPN+ setup across your gadgets, it‘s time to reap the rewards. With thousands of live events and an extensive on-demand library, where do you start?
As an obsessive streamer, I want to pass along my top picks for ESPN+ viewing:
Live Niche Sports
Explore ESPN+‘s deep roster of niche sports you won‘t find elsewhere like cricket, rugby, competitive gaming and more. The Coppa Italia (Italian soccer cup) produces some of the most dramatic matches.
And during college football Saturdays, I always have ESPN+ open to catch key moments from across the country.
30 for 30 Series
For fans of sports documentaries, ESPN+‘s 30 for 30 archive comprises over 100 films charting memorable moments in sports history through an intimate lens.
I highly recommend titles like "The Two Escobars", "Nature Boy" and "OJ: Made in America" to start.
Fantasy Focus Live
If you play fantasy football, Fantasy Focus Live is your ace in the hole, providing invaluable stats and analysis to guide waiver wire pickups, trades and setting your optimal lineup.
I watch each morning during the NFL season as I set my roster.
International Soccer
As a footie ultra, I‘ve loved the influx of domestic and international soccer content on ESPN+. Games from top tier leagues like Germany‘s Bundesliga, Spain‘s La Liga and England‘s FA Cup inject some much needed football into the American sports market.
UFC Pay-Per-View Events
For MMA enthusiasts, ESPN+ has become the exclusive home to UFC Pay-Per-Views events in the US. Top bouts featuring stars like Francis Ngannou or Israel Adesanya require an extra $79.99 fee but provide money‘s worth in pulse-pounding action.
Across virtually any sport, ESPN+ offers devotees access to the narratives and talents that capture our imagination in the arena of competition. For the committed sports diehard, it‘s an essential subscription.
Key Takeaways: Your ESPN+ Game Plan
Since insiders like myself often take sports streaming access for granted, I want to simplify the key next steps for you:
- Visit ESPN Plus site: Head to plus.espn.com to signup
- Create account: Signup directly or via Disney credentials
- Download apps: Install ESPN app across your devices
- Activate account: Login via ESPN app to access ESPN+
- Enjoy sports: Stream live games, original shows and more!
Sometimes we lose sight of why we fell in love with sports in the first place – those vivid moments of human brilliance that unite us in awe. Whatever your favorite sport, ESPN+ brings you back to the pulse of athletic competition.
You now have all the tools needed to unlock ESPN+‘s treasures for yourself. Time to rekindle that spark and let the games begin! Still have questions? Just shoot me message – always happy to help fellow fans.