There is often confusion surrounding the availability of ESPN Plus, the popular sports streaming service from ESPN, and its relationship to traditional TV providers like DirecTV. While DirecTV offers various ESPN channels as part of its channel lineup, ESPN Plus itself is not a channel on DirecTV.
ESPN Plus is a standalone streaming platform that requires a separate subscription through ESPN to access its exclusive live sports events, on-demand programming, and original content. This complements the linear ESPN channels offered on DirecTV and other pay-TV services.
The purpose of this article is to:
- Explain the key differences between ESPN Plus and DirecTV ESPN channels
- Clarify that ESPN Plus is not directly available as a channel on DirecTV
- Provide instructions on how to subscribe to ESPN Plus independently
- Discuss the benefits of using ESPN Plus with a DirecTV subscription
Understanding these distinctions will help sports fans better navigate their options for streaming live sports and sports-related entertainment.
What is ESPN?
ESPN is the leading multinational sports media brand owned by Disney. It encompasses multiple linear television channels, digital platforms, radio programming, print publications and more.
The main ESPN channels available on DirecTV’s channel lineup include:
- ESPN – Channel 206
- ESPN2 – Channel 209
- ESPNEWS – Channel 207
- ESPNU – Channel 208
- ESPN Deportes – Channel 466
Additionally, some college sports overflow programming and simulcasts air on ESPN College Extra channels 788-798.
ESPN3 was formerly a standalone broadband streaming platform that has now been integrated into the digital offerings of ESPN Plus and the ESPN app.
The ESPN television channels carry a wide variety of live sports from pro leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, along with popular studio shows, news, analysis and highlights. A DirecTV subscription provides access to this content from ESPN’s linear networks.
What is ESPN Plus?
ESPN Plus (styled ESPN+) is a direct-to-consumer streaming subscription service from ESPN. It launched in 2018 and has grown rapidly, with over 26 million subscribers as of 2023.
Key features of ESPN Plus include:
- Live games: Thousands of live out-of-market games and events across MLB, NHL, MLS, PGA Tour, Grand Slam tennis, Bundesliga soccer, LaLiga soccer, college sports, boxing, UFC and more.
- Original programs: Docuseries like Peyton’s Places, detail and ESPN FC, studio shows, sports analysis, films and exclusive athlete profiles.
- On-demand library: Replays of live games and events, 30 for 30 documentary series, ESPN original films and more archival programming.
The standard cost of ESPN Plus is either $10.99 per month or $109.99 billed annually. This standalone subscription has a different billing system and account management compared to DirecTV.
Can you get ESPN Plus on DirecTV?
No, ESPN Plus is not directly available as a channel or part of the channel lineup on DirecTV.
As a streaming over-the-top (OTT) platform, ESPN Plus maintains a separation from DirecTV and other multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) like cable and satellite providers.
While DirecTV has offered certain promotions bundling ESPN Plus with its services in the past, currently these two entities have distinct subscription systems:
- ESPN Plus requires directly signing up with an ESPN account and billing through ESPN.
- DirecTV requires a customer account and billing through DirecTV itself.
So getting ESPN Plus on DirecTV would involve subscribing independently to both services.
This separation stems from the structural differences between an internet-based streaming service delivered over-the-top and a digital satellite service with contractual agreements for cable network distribution.
However, the ESPN app is available on DirecTV set-top boxes and streaming devices. This app provides access to some live streams from the linear ESPN channels. But an ESPN Plus subscription is still required separately to unlock premium content within the ESPN app.
So one source of confusion is that the ESPN app houses both:
- Linear ESPN channel programming available through a DirecTV subscription
- ESPN Plus programming available only through a direct ESPN Plus subscription
This blend of content across app, streaming device and mobile ecosystems makes the separation between DirecTV subscription benefits and ESPN Plus benefits less apparent to consumers.
How to access ESPN Plus
If you want access to all that ESPN Plus offers, here are step-by-step instructions to subscribe:
- Go to plus.espn.com or download the ESPN App on your mobile device or smart TV.
- Click on the ESPN Plus tab and choose your preferred subscription plan – either monthly or annual billing options.
- Create your ESPN account credentials if you don’t already have an ESPN username.
- Enter your payment information – ESPN Plus accepts major credit/debit cards and PayPal.
- Start streaming! Log in to the ESPN app on your mobile, tablet, streaming device or smart TV to access live games, original shows and on demand content with your ESPN Plus subscription.
- Manage your subscription settings, billing details or cancel anytime under account settings on ESPN Plus.
With thousands of live events and an extensive on-demand library available for $10.99 per month, ESPN Plus offers tremendous value to sports fans seeking more content beyond what’s available through DirecTV.
Benefits of using ESPN+ with DirecTV
Combining an ESPN Plus subscription with your DirecTV satellite TV package gives you the most comprehensive live sports offerings.
DirecTV provides various popular national ESPN channels as part of their base package. This means access to live games from pro leagues like NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL plus studio programming and news coverage from ESPN’s TV networks.
ESPN Plus complements this with a wider selection of live out-of-market games across various sports. For avid fans, access to both content libraries is a major win.
Additionally, original direct-to-consumer programming like documentaries and studio shows on ESPN Plus provides sports entertainment that traditional ESPN TV channels don’t offer.
As media consumption habits evolve, the lines between streaming and traditional television continue to blur. While not integrated offerings now, tighter bundles between services like DirecTV and ESPN Plus could become more commonplace.
For the ideal sports-viewing experience with maximum choice of content today, the combination of DirecTV providing popular national sports networks and ESPN Plus unlocking more niche live events delivers unmatched access.
Conclusion
In summary – ESPN Plus does not have a designated channel or presence within DirecTV’s satellite service channel listings. The streaming platform from ESPN requires a standalone subscription, separate account and billing from a DirecTV package.
But the value proposition of ESPN Plus very much complements and enhances the live sports offerings from a DirecTV subscription. Sports fans can choose to subscribe to one, the other or both – depending on their preferences for content, budget and accessibility across devices.