You can watch basketball on ESPN primarily through the ESPN app and ESPN+ subscription service, or by accessing the linear ESPN channels via a traditional TV provider or live TV streaming service.
Watching Basketball with ESPN+
ESPN+ is a subscription streaming service offering exclusive live sports, original content, and an extensive library of on-demand programs, including a variety of basketball games not always found on the main ESPN channels.
- Signing Up: To start streaming live sporting events, including basketball, you need to sign up for ESPN+. You can do this either through the ESPN app or directly on the ESPN+ website.
- Accessing Content: Once you've signed up for ESPN+, you can stream content through your preferred devices. Simply log in to your ESPN+ account via the ESPN app on each device you wish to use. The ESPN app is available on a wide range of platforms, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.
Watching Basketball on ESPN (Linear Channels)
To watch basketball games aired on the traditional ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU channels, you typically need a subscription to a TV provider that carries these networks.
- TV Provider Subscription: This includes cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service. Popular live TV streaming services that often include ESPN in their packages include:
- Sling TV
- Hulu + Live TV
- YouTube TV
- FuboTV
- DirecTV Stream
- Accessing Content: With a valid TV provider subscription, you can watch live ESPN channels directly through your TV provider's set-top box or app. Additionally, you can log in to the ESPN app on your devices using your TV provider credentials to stream live games and on-demand content from the ESPN networks.
Key Differences: ESPN vs. ESPN+
It's important to understand the distinction between the linear ESPN channels and the ESPN+ streaming service, as they offer different content lineups.
| Feature | ESPN (Linear Channels) | ESPN+ |
|---|---|---|
| Content Type | Major network broadcasts, primetime games, studio shows, news | Exclusive live sports (including many basketball games), original series, archived content |
| Subscription Type | Requires a cable, satellite, or live TV streaming subscription | Standalone subscription service; often bundled with Disney+ and Hulu |
| Access Method | Through your TV provider's service or by logging into the ESPN app with TV provider credentials | Directly through the ESPN app or ESPN+ website with your ESPN+ account login |
Devices Supported
The ESPN app, which is your gateway to both ESPN linear content (with a TV provider) and ESPN+ content, is widely available on various devices, ensuring you can watch basketball wherever you are. These include:
- Smartphones and Tablets: iOS (iPhone, iPad), Android devices
- Streaming Devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast
- Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, Vizio, Android TV, etc.
- Gaming Consoles: PlayStation, Xbox
By utilizing either an ESPN+ subscription, a TV provider login, or a combination of both, you can access a vast array of live and on-demand basketball content across the entire ESPN ecosystem.
