Where and How to Watch Derek Jeter Documentary ‘The Captain’

You can watch ESPN’s Derek Jeter documentary “The Captain” a couple of different ways without a cable TV subscription.

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ESPN’s new Derek Jeter documentary The Captain debuts on Monday, July 18. The seven-part series covers a lot of territory, ugly spots and all. It’s easy to watch on the cheap without cable TV.

The series will debut and run entirely on ESPN and ESPN+ into early August. Here is everything you need to know.

Table of Contents

When is the Derek Jeter documentary release date?

The release date for Episode 1 of The Captain is July 18. One to two new episodes will premiere every Thursday on ESPN and ESPN+ until August 11. ESPN+ costs $9.99 per month. You can sign up for a free 5-day trial of DIRECTV STREAM to watch the series on ESPN.

Here is the schedule.

EpisodeDebuts on ESPN and ESPN+
1Monday, July 18, 10 p.m. ET
2Thursday, July 21, 9 p.m. ET
3Thursday, July 28, 9 p.m. ET
4Thursday, July 28, 10 p.m. ET
5Thursday, August 4, 9 p.m. ET
6Thursday, August 4, 10 p.m. ET
7Thursday, August 11, 10 p.m. ET

Where can I watch the Derek Jeter documentary?

The Captain will debut simultaneously on ESPN and ESPN+ on Monday, July 18 at 10 p.m. ET. The first episode of the documentary airs immediately after the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby on ESPN.

How can I watch Derek Jeter The Captain?

You can sign up for an ESPN+ subscription for $9.99 per month. You will be able to watch every episode of The Captain on ESPN + as each new segment debuts.

Another option is to sign up for a streaming service that carries ESPN and other live TV channels. You might want to use a live TV service if you also plan to watch the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night.

DIRECTV STREAM has a 5-day free trial and is knocking $15 off for two months if you keep service beyond the free trial. The discounted rate is $54.99 per month for the Entertainment bundle. You can also sign up for the Choice plan for regional sports channels such as YES Network and get the discount.

The cheapest way to get ESPN as a live TV is through Sling TV. The Sling Orange plan costs $35 per month. But you get half off the monthly rate for the first month of service when you sign up.

How to Watch Derek Jeter Documentary The Captain on ESPN app

You can watch The Captain on the ESPN app if you sign up for ESPN+. The ESPN app is on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast with Google TV and Smart TVs. 

Follow these steps to start streaming The Captain within the ESPN app.

  1. Sign up online for an ESPN+ subscription.
  2. Download the ESPN app to a Smart TV or streaming device.
  3. Use SETTINGS, select ESPN account for an activation code.
  4. Using a web browser, go to espn.com/activate.
  5. Enter activation code.
  6. Start watching ESPN+.

What’s the Derek Jeter Documentary about?

The seven-part series puts the spotlight on Jeter, and his rise to becoming the Yankees captain in 2003. But it also captures a larger story about the Yankees during Jeter’s time with the team between 1995 and 2014. 

Here is a brief summary of each episode. 

Jeter getting drafted

Episode 1 covers Jeter’s upbringing in the Midwest as a bi-racial kid. The series premiere chronicles how Jeter made his way into Major League Baseball. ESPN says the episode includes never before seen footage of Jeter being drafted by the Yankees. 

Jeter’s first title

The 1998 Yankees team was stellar, considered by some the greatest in the history of baseball. Episode 2 covers how Jeter gets his first title during his debut season as a professional baseball player. ESPN hints that Jeter’s instant fame comes at a price. 

Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez’s relationship

The third episode of the series is already garnering the most buzz in the sports press. It focuses on how the once-close relationship between Jeter and Alex Rodriguez quickly turned sour.

It all began with a 2001 interview that Rodriguez had with Esquire magazine. 

At the time, Rodriguez was a shortstop with the Texas Rangers. During the interview, Rodriguez suggested that Jeter “never had to lead” while playing for and leading the Yankees. Rodriguez later joined the Yankees in 2004. But by then, Jeter could never look at Rodriguez the same.

NY Yankees vs the Boston Red Sox

You can’t have a Derek Jeter documentary without mentioning the Yankees’ biggest rival.

Episode 4 covers Game 7 of the 2004 American League Championship Series. The 2004 ALCS capped a painful four days for the Yankees. For the Red Sox, it marked completing one of the greatest postseason comebacks in baseball history.  

Jeter under attack

In Episode 5, following a historic loss, Jeter finds himself under attack in the press, on the field and in his own clubhouse.

5th World Series win

Jeter stages a comeback with a 5th and final World Series. He also celebrates his 3,000th hit. 

Episode 6 covers how Jeter’s relationship with the Yankees changes due to a difficult contract negotiation that plays out in public.  look at Jeter’s recovery from a career altering injury.

Jeter becomes owner of Miami Marlins

Episode 7 covers more personal dreams coming true for Jeter. He becomes the owner of the Miami Marlins, but still faces criticism over his new role in baseball. He and his wife Hannah also share details on their difficult journey to parenthood. 

Ready to watch The Captain? Sign up for ESPN+ for $9.99 per month, or get a free 5-day trial of DIRECTV STREAM to watch every episode live on ESPN. 

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Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.