The Cord Cutting Report

16 Ways to Watch ESPN2 Without Cable in 2023

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You can watch ESPN2 without cable on seven streaming services. 

DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, YouTube TV, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Vidgo, Spectrum TV app all have the live ESPN channel without the need of a cable or satellite subscription. 

There are 15 plans that carry ESPN2 within those live TV streaming services. 

You can activate the ESPN app with a pay TV provider to watch ESPN2 live on a P.C., Mac computer, smartphone or tablet. 

ESPN2 has been entertaining sports fans since October 1, 1993. Once a home for poker tournaments and billiards competitions, ESPN2 now broadcasts Major League Baseball games, college football, NCAA basketball and MLS soccer.

You can jump down to the summary of how to watch ESPN2 without cable, check out Frequently Asked Questions below, or read through all your options.

DIRECTV STREAM, fubo and YouTube TV are the three live streaming services that have ESPN2 and offer a free trial. 

How to Watch ESPN2

All you need to start streaming ESPN2 live is an internet connection, a streaming device or Smart TV.

A Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Fire Stick or Apple TV will do the job. Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia, Vizio and LG support most live TV services. Game consoles including XBox and PlayStation support watching live TV.

If you are a sports fan in search of your ideal streaming service that has ESPN2, chances are you want other sports channels too.

ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN3, ACC Network (ACCN), Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, NBA TV, Longhorn Network, MLB Network, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes cover NFL, MLB games and other professional and college sports.

You can get many of these networks without having to pay for an sports add-on package.

Local channels will matter, too. You may want ESPN for Monday Night Football during the NFL season. But you will need local broadcast networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX to watch NCAA football, or college basketball. 

Some of these services have a free trial that lasts a week without any obligation. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends if you decide that the streaming service isn’t for you.

Sling TV

Sling TV is the cheapest option to watch ESPN2 live. You have two ways to watch ESPN2 without cable through Sling.

The Sling Orange plan includes 32 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and entertainment networks like AMC, A&E, Bravo, and History. A subscription to Sling Orange costs $40 per month. 

The Sling Blue plan has 40 channels, including Discovery, NFL Network, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, MSNBC, and Stadium, but doesn’t include ESPN2.  You can combine the Sling Blue with Sling Orange for $55 per month.

All subscribers get 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage. 

ESPN2
(Photo illustration: The Cord Cutting Report)

Sling TV works on just about any streaming device: Roku, Firestick, Apple TV and even an Xbox. It is supported by Samsung Smart TVs and Smart TVs operating on Android TV or Google TV. Sling TV supports mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Sling TV has the Sports Extra add-on channel package at $11 per month. That adds networks such as NBA TV, SEC Network and MLB Network.

There are no hidden fees or contracts if you decide to keep the service. You can even use your subscription to activate the ESPN app after you sign up for service. You can look over the latest offer Sling TV has for new and returning customers.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has ESPN2 in all of its channel packages along with other cable networks that are important to college football or NCAA basketball fans.

You can sign up for a free 5-day trial on every plan without any obligations.  

The Entertainment package has over 75 live TV channels including ACCN, ESPN, ESPN2, A&E, BET, Bravo, C-SPAN, CNN, CNBC, FOX News, History and HGTV. 

A subscription is $74.99 per month. DIRECTV STREAM is offering $10 off the first three months of service on any plan. 

The Choice package has a wide selection of 40 regional sports channels, including YES Network, Bally Sports networks, NBC Sports and Marquee Sports Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels for $99.99 per month. 

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including locals, and sports channels such as NHL Network. The Ultimate package is $109.99 per month. 

The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime. A subscription is $154.99 per month.

All of these channel lineups are virtually identical to DIRECTV satellite service, but with a slight price difference.

Subscribers can get three months of Max, Showtime, Cinemax and MGM+ for free before the monthly rates kick in.

All subscribers get unlimited hours of Cloud DVR storage and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows. You can watch live TV on unlimited screens within your home. 

DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV and smartphones and tablets. You can use apps on supported Smart TVs running on Google TV and Android TV. Subscriptions run month to month and so you can cancel whenever you want.

You can look over the different channel lineups before deciding whether to sign up.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV has 128 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and NBA TV for $72.99 per month.

YouTube TV only has one way to get ESPN2 through its base plan.

DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, and YouTube TV all stream ESPN2, and offer a free trial that lasts up to a week. 

The YouTube TV base plan carries other key sports channels for fans such as TNT, TBS, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and MLB Network. YouTube TV carries entertainment networks such as Bravo and Disney Junior.

You’ll be able to watch CNN, Golf Channel and FX. Unlimited Cloud DVR is included with a subscription. And you can create up to 6 profiles for a household per account.

The service works with Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield TV, Apple TV and Chromecast. You can get a free 7-day trial, or look over the channel lineup for your area. 

fubo

fubo (formerly fuboTV) carries ESPN2 and harder-to-find regional sports networks such as NESN, Marquee Sports Network and ROOT Sports Northwest.

fubo offers three plans with ESPN2. fubo Pro, Elite and Premium. 

The Pro channel package has 167 channels, including local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in most areas of the U.S. Food network, HGTV, Big Ten Network, Disney Junior, and Comedy Central are part of the Pro bundle.

For soccer fans, fubo carries bein sports, bein sports 4, bein sports 5, bein sports 6, bein sports 7, bein sports 8 and bein sports Xtra.

Subscribers get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR storage. You can watch live TV on 10 screens at once. If you miss a game, you can use fubo’s “look back” feature to watch sporting events that aired in the last 72 hours

A subscription costs $74.99 per month. A regional sports fee is included. You get a free 7-day trial, or look over the channel lineup for your area.

The Elite plan is $84.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Premier plan has 231 channels, including Showtime, for $94.99 per month

fubo has a library of on-demand content, including movies and TV shows. Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and Smart TVs all carry the fubo app.

The fuboTV Elite package adds 60 more channels, including Pac-12 Network.

Fubo has mobile apps for iPhone and Android so you can watch ESPN live on your smartphone. Subscribers can watch live TV through their web browser.

Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV has 75+ live TV channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN College Extra, ACC Network, CBS Sports Network and SEC Network. You can find regional NBC Sports networks. 

Hulu Live TV has only one plan. You can watch live TV on up to two screens at once.

Hulu with Live TV comes with unlimited DVR storage so you can record sports, news, movies or whatever else you want. Hulu carries local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC across the U.S.

A subscription costs $69.99 per month. You get unlimited access to ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu’s on-demand library of movies and TV shows. 

College football fans will be able to watch a lot more conferences and games with ESPN Plus. 

There are more than 300 live college football games on ESPN Plus throughout the season. Southeastern Conference, LSU, Auburn, Kentucky, Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee are among the teams with select live games.   

With a Hulu Live TV subscription, you can activate the ESPN app for ESPN2, ESPN3, and unlock all live sports on ESPN Plus.

Hulu no longer offers a free trial for live TV, but you can look over the channel lineup before deciding whether to sign up.

Vidgo

Vidgo lets you live stream ESPN2 on three different plans. 

The Vidgo Plus plan is $69.99 per month, and comes with 110 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes.

The Premium package adds 40 more channels, and costs $84.99 per month. The Ultimate plan has more than 200 channels, and has all 45 Spanish-language channels.

If you’re someone who likes to weigh in online during sporting events, Vidgo’s mobile app is worth a try because you can participate in ‘watch parties’ for TV shows and sporting events.

The live TV service has 110+ channels, including Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line, ESPNU, ESPN2 and ESPNews.

Subscribers get local FOX and ABC affiliates in some markets.  

Vidgo works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and iPhone. You can look over the channel packages before deciding whether to sign up.

Watch ESPN on Spectrum TV app

You can get Spectrum’s streaming TV service when you subscribe to an internet plan.

The Spectrum Choice plan starts at $29.99 per month. You get up to 40 channels, depending on where you live. The plan includes ESPN and ESPN2.

You can check out the Spectrum TV app lineup for more information.

How to Watch ESPN2 without cable FAQs

Here are some questions that sports fans ask when searching for ways to watch ESPN2 without cable.

How to watch ESPN2 for free

During the trial period, you can watch ESPN2 on a supported Smart TV or streaming device along with other local channels and cable TV networks. 

You will need to cancel service before the free trial ends so you won’t get billed. Be sure to check each streaming service for details.

Can you watch ESPN2 on ESPN+?

No. ESPN+ is a standalone streaming service that has daily MLB and NHL games and other programs for $9.99 per month. The service does not get you the ESPN2 cable network. ESPN+ likewise does not include ESPN, ESPN3, ESPNews or its sibling networks. 

The caveat is that ESPN+ subscribers can occasionally watch some simulcasts from ESPN, including Golf, MMA fights, NFL and NBA games. 

ESPN+ subscribers get hundreds of exclusive college football, NCAA basketball games and UFC fights. A subscription to ESPN Plus costs $9.99 per month, or get it with Hulu and Disney+ for $12.99 per month as part of the Disney Plus bundle.

ESPN+ streams live games and on-demand shows through the ESPN app. Once you sign up to ESPN+, you can stream live sports and popular series such as “30 for 30” and “The Captain” in the ESPN app.

Can you watch ESPN2 on the ESPN app?

DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu Live TV and fubo support activating the ESPN app so you can watch ESPN2 live.

The only requirement is that ESPN2 is in the channel lineup of your live TV plan.

You can use the ESPN app on your Smart TV, tablet, smartphone, and iPad (current iOS) to live stream ESPN.

Pay-TV subscribers can use your TV provider to watch ESPN2 on a PC or Mac through a web browser. Click on the “Watch” tab on the ESPN website, and sign in using your pay TV provider.

Is ESPN2 on Amazon Prime?

No. ESPN2 is not on Amazon Prime. ESPN2 is only available only through a cable TV, satellite service or a live TV streaming service. DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Vidgo and YouTube TV all include ESPN2 in their channel lineups.

How to watch ESPN2 on Roku

You can subscribe to DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, YouTube TV, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Vidgo, or the Spectrum TV app and start watching ESPN2 on any Roku device or Roku TV. 

But prices and channel lineups for each live TV streaming service varies. 

Can I watch ESPN2 on my computer?

Yes. You can watch ESPN2 on a PC or Mac by subscribing to DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, YouTube TV, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Vidgo, or the Spectrum TV app.

Can I watch ESPN2 on my phone?

You can use a live TV streaming service to watch ESPN2 on your iPhone or Android smartphone. 

DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, YouTube TV, fubo, Hulu Live TV, and Vidgo all have mobile apps for their live TV service. You can likewise use the ESPN app, and activate the app through your pay TV provider.

Where can I find today’s ESPN2 schedule?

You can find a daily ESPN2 schedule within the ESPN website. Use the “Upcoming” tab to get today’s lineup of live sports and ESPN2 programs. 

You can click on each day of the week, or go to the calendar icon on the right hand corner of the screen to see what’s coming up in the weeks ahead. 

What’s the best way to watch ESPN2 without cable?

Sling TV Orange is the cheapest way to watch ESPN2 and it is an overall solid budget option at $40 per month. You can check the latest offer Sling TV is making to new and returning customers. Subscribers get half off for the first month of service. 

DIRECTV STREAM has ESPN2 in its Entertainment bundle. The Entertainment package has more than 75 channels, unlimited Cloud DVR and on-demand content such as movies and TV shows. A subscription is $74.99 per month, but new customers get $10 off for the first three months of service. You can start off with a 5-day free trial. 

For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.

*This guide was originally published 6-20-18, and has been updated to reflect new pricing.