If you’re one of over 200 million Americans that love sports, then watching them on television or smart devices is probably a big part of your life. There are tons of choices for a fan to watch sports. For the last few decades, ESPN has been the premiere station people get their daily dose of sports. The roll-out of ESPN+ has been met with much hype. But is ESPN+ worth it?
In this expert review, we will explore the content, and if the hype meets the standard.
The Empire of ESPN
Starting in 1979, ESPN became the first television channel dedicated exclusively to sports news and programming. Ever since they first acquired the rights to broadcast college basketball games, they’ve grown. The empire of ESPN has developed the best programs and recruited the best talent to help carry the stories of games.
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The introduction of ESPN Plus provides viewers with the first paywall for exclusive content through the app. You can watch live events, archived games, special shows, and documentaries. However, purchasing access does not give a fan the ability to watch original programming reserved for sister channels of ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNews among others.
Access to ESPN+
For people who are technologically challenged, it’s relatively easy to access ESPN+. Download the ESPN app, available on any streaming device, and go to the ESPN Plus tab.
That’s it!
In case you need a list of specific streaming devices that are compatible, check out this list:
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
- Samsung TVs
- Roku
- Android devices
- Apple devices (including Apple TV)
- Amazon Fire TV
- ESPN website
A person can literally watch ESPN+ on anything. It’s crucial to remember that ESPN+ isn’t mean to replace the regular cable broadcast.
Every TV provider is compatible with the app. Use your TV provider to watch all the special programming and sports talk shows that aren’t live coverage.
What Sports Are on ESPN Plus?
Every sports fanatic interested in getting ESPN+ wants to know what sports are available for streaming. The answer is easy and short – all of them. The only exception is NFL football games due to their exclusive deals.
Sports fans of all kinds will be happy to see this list:
- NASCAR
- Boxing
- X Games
- UFC
- MMA
- NCAAM
- NCAAF
- WWE
- Tennis
- Soccer
- WNBA
- NBA
- MLB
Almost every top-level professional league in the United States and most major international competitions are accessible live or taped.
While the NFL won’t even allow replays of Monday Night Football games on ESPN+, there are certain parameters put in place for live UFC matches. If you want to watch UFC fights, you’ll have to pay an extra fee on top of your subscription.
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Fans who went to smaller NCAA colleges can now subscribe to ESPN Plus and watch their school play basketball on the big screen.
Special Shows and Programming
Do you have a favorite sports commentator or talk show host? Millions of fans around the globe love to hear expert analysis and see behind-the-scenes action. ESPN Plus offers the following shows on their app:
- Peyton’s Places
- NBA Rooks
- Why We Fight
You can also watch former episodes of the late Kobe Bryant’s segments on Detail where he broke down basketball plays and schemes.
The ESPN+ subscription opens the vault for the avid sports historian to watch lengthy and detailed documentaries such as the 30 for 30 series. That collection alone might be worth the price of admission.
Recently, the Chicago Bulls documentary The Last Dance has also been archived on the app for viewing at any time. This documentary broke records for the highest viewership of a documentary in eight years.
The Last Dance also marked the first time in many years that families gathered around their TVs to watch a singular show together.
Fans who miss watching old games from their favorite teams can also jump in on the fun. Watch archived championship games of the Chicago Cubs to relive the nostalgia.
Didn’t know what it was like to watch powerful teams from the past? Hit up the archives and spend the next few hours learning about teams your mom or dad loved.
The Cost of ESPN+
All this content and access sounds like it should cost a hefty fortune. Add to your sports fanaticism by paying $4.99/month. You can save a few dollars by paying for an entire year at $49.99.
Over the last 25 years, The Walt Disney Company has been making acquisitions at a monumental pace. ESPN was purchased in these acquisitions and flies under the umbrella of Disney.
Disney, ESPN, and Hulu all teamed up together to help push the release of the Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming services. For just $12.99/month, you can have access to all three services.
Extra Features
Are you tired of watching ads at the beginning, during, or at the end of your videos? ESPN+ eliminates all ads minus commercials from live broadcasts.
Other features that might encourage a sports fan to sign up include the following:
- HD quality viewing
- Pause and rewind live games
- Five simultaneous streams on one account
Not only are your games and shows in high definition, but they are also in 60 frames per second to give you a crip viewing experience.
Another great advantage includes the ability to pause and rewind live games. If you missed your cousin making a dunk, then rewind for the entire family to see.
Most people watch their sports on multiple devices. Have your phone, television, and tablet all enabled to stream ESPN+.
Is ESPN+ Worth It?
For the access a person gets for $4.99 per month, this is a must-have addition for any sports fanatic. ESPN Plus is designed for the most avid sports lovers.
Is ESPN Plus worth it for casual fans? If you want to get the bundle that includes the Disney+ streaming service and Hulu, then ESPN+ is a great bonus worth the price tag.
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