Streaming ESPNU live is essential for watching college basketball and football games.
It’s a sports cable network made for a number of NCAA sports. You don’t have to drop a lot of cash to see your favorite college teams in action.
Sling TV remains the cheapest plan when you add the Sports Extra add-on for ESPNU. The budget-friendly streamer is sweetening the pot this year by adding select 4K streaming for major sporting events for no extra charge.
The newest method for streaming ESPNU includes adding the DIRECTV STREAM Sports Pack to any plan.
I’ll outline all your other choices, and ways you can activate the ESPN app so you can stream ESPNU live to watch games.
I cut the cord years ago, and I’ve subscribed to every live TV streaming service at one time or another. Picking the right live TV service to watch ESPNU will likely depend on what other networks you want. If you’re a fan of NCAA sports, you may also want Big Ten Network, SEC Network and ESPN2.
Is ESPNU on ESPN+?
ESPNU is not offered on ESPN+, and there is no true free option, despite what you might read on Reddit. ESPN+ likewise does not carry any programming from its sibling cable networks such as ESPN or ESPN2.
ESPN+ streams live college basketball games from more than 15 conferences, including Big 12 and Atlantic 10. It’s a supplemental service by ESPN Networks that carries live college football, Men’s NCAA basketball, boxing, UFC and soccer.
To get ESPNU without a cable plan, you can sign up for a free trial of a live TV streaming service such as Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo or YouTube TV that carries ESPNU in its channel lineup.
Sling TV
Sling TV stands out as the most budget-friendly option for streaming ESPNU. You need to the Sports Extra package added to either the Orange or Blue plan.
You can enjoy a diverse channel lineup, including ESPN, ESPN2, and a variety of entertainment networks like AMC and A&E. Remember, the Sports Extra package is essential to access ESPNU and provides an additional 15 channels, including ACC Network and NFL RedZone.
Simultaneous Streams: 1 (Orange plan); 3 (Blue plan)
Cloud DVR Storage: 50 hours
Exclusive Content: No
Local Channels: Yes (limited markets, Blue plan)
Device support: AirTV Mini, Amazon Echo Show, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast along with Smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast.
The Sling Orange plan includes 32 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2 and entertainment networks like AMC, A&E, Bravo, and History.
The Sling Blue plan has 40 channels, including Discovery, NFL Network, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, MSNBC, and Stadium, but doesn’t include ESPN.
The Sports Extra package adds 15 channels, including ACC Network, ACCNX, NFL RedZone, SEC Network, SEC Network+, MLB Network, NBA TV, and ESPNU.
You can combine Sling Orange and Sling Blue and add the Sports Extra package to maximize your channel lineup.
All subscribers get 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage.
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 has mobile apps for iPhones and iPads (with current iOS) and Android smartphones.
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.
Sling TV is an excellent choice for sports enthusiasts on a budget, focusing on affordability while providing essential sports channels. It’s a more cost-effective option than YouTube TV, particularly for those who prioritize sports content.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers a comprehensive solution for sports fans, featuring ESPNU among its extensive channel selection.
This service includes not just live sports but also a vast library of on-demand movies and shows. A key highlight is the inclusion of Disney+ and ESPN+ in your subscription. With unlimited DVR and support for two simultaneous streams, Hulu + Live TV caters to your flexible viewing needs.
The channel lineup also includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN College Extra, ACC Network, CBS Sports Network and SEC Network.
Simultaneous Streams: 2
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: Yes
Local Channels: Yes
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV.
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.
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 ESPNU, ESPN3, and unlock all live sports on ESPN Plus.
Hulu Live TV is great for those who value a mix of sports and on-demand content, including access to ESPN+ and Disney+. It offers a more diverse viewing experience compared to the more sports-focused Sling TV.
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM brings a traditional TV feel to streaming, featuring ESPNU in its Choice package and above.
You get over 105 channels such as ESPN, TNT, NBA TV and one of the largest selections of regional sports networks. It is an ideal choice for MLB, NBA and NHL fans, but comes at a higher price than competitors.
Simultaneous Streams: Unlimited
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: No
Local Channels: Yes
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia.
New customers can get a 5-day free trial, unlimited cloud DVR, and streaming on unlimited screens within the household makes DIRECTV STREAM a compelling choice for families and sports fans alike.
The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including locals, and sports channels such as NHL Network.
The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime.
Subscribers can watch live TV on unlimited screens within your home. Subscriptions run month to month and so you can cancel whenever you want. You can expand your collegiate sports coverage with the DIRECTV STREAM Sports Pack, featuring ESPNU among its robust lineup of channels.
DIRECTV STREAM offers a more extensive lineup than Sling TV, ideal for those who don’t mind a higher subscription cost for a more complete package.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a prime choice for streaming ESPNU, offering a comprehensive channel lineup much like a cable package.
It’s not just the number of channels that makes YouTube TV attractive but also features like unlimited cloud DVR storage and the ability to stream on three devices simultaneously. For NFL fans, YouTube TV is now the home of Sunday Ticket, which is offered in two different plans.
Simultaneous Streams: 3
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: No
Local Channels: Yes
Device support: Android TV, Google TV, Smart TVs by Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Hisense, Sharp and Sony; Chromecast, Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation and Google Nest Hub; Android and iOS devices.
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.
YouTube TV suits households desiring an extensive channel range with a single, comprehensive plan. While its cost is higher than Sling TV, it offers a wider variety of channels without the need for additional packages.
Fubo
Fubo positions itself as a sports-centric streaming service and offers ESPNU a few ways.
ESPNU is available to Elite and Premium subscribers. But you can add ESPNU to the entry-level Pro plan with the Fubo Extra, or Sports Plus add-on. The Pro plan offers an extensive lineup of 182 channels, including a comprehensive sports channel lineup.
The latest features include unlimited cloud DVR and the ability to stream on up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Simultaneous Streams: 10
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: No
Local Channels: Yes
Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox One, along with Smart TVs by Hisense, Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast TV. Android, iPhones and iPads with current iOS.
Fubo subscribers get access to local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in most areas of the U.S. ESPN, ESPN2, Food network, Fox News, HGTV, Big Ten Network, Disney Junior, and Comedy Central are available across all Fubo plans.
The Fubo Extra bundle adds 59 more channels. It includes NBA TV, INSP, Tennis Channel, MTV Live, MTV Classic, FXM, Pac 12 Networks, and ESPNews.
The Sports Plus bundle adds 32 more channels. It includes NFL RedZone, all four Stadium networks, Sports Illustrated TV, Golf TV English, Golf TV Spanish, PAC 12 Arizona, PAC 12 Bay Area, PAC 12 Los Angeles, PAC 12 Mountain, PAC 12 Oregon, PAC 12 Washington, FOX College Sports Atlantic, FOX College Sports Pacific, FNTSY, Fight Network and TyC Sports.
All 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
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 the 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.
Fubo is ideal for hardcore sports fans, offering unique features like ‘lookback’ and a sports-centric channel lineup. Compared to DIRECTV STREAM, it provides a similar sports focus but with additional features for avid sports viewers.
Can you watch ESPNU on ESPN Plus?
No. ESPN+ is a standalone streaming service that has daily MLB and NHL games and other programs. The service does not get you the ESPNU 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.
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” in the ESPN app.
Why isn’t ESPNU available on ESPN+?
While ESPN+ is celebrated for its extensive sports coverage and a rich array of original programming, it’s essential to understand that ESPNU is not part of the ESPN+ lineup.
You can get a standalone subscription to upgrade your ESPN app with a lot more live and on-demand sports content. It’s also included in the Disney bundle and as an add-on with Hulu + Live TV.
However, if you’re specifically looking to stream ESPNU, exploring other streaming services like Sling TV or Hulu + Live TV is recommended.
Can you watch ESPNU on the ESPN app?
DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu Live TV and Fubo support activating the ESPN app so you can watch ESPNU live.
The only requirement is that ESPNU 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 ESPNU 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 ESPNU on Amazon Prime?
No. ESPNU is not on Amazon Prime. ESPNU is only available only through a cable TV, satellite service or a live TV streaming service. DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV all include ESPNU in their channel lineups.
How to watch ESPNU on Roku
You can subscribe to DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, Fubo, or Hulu Live TV and start watching ESPNU on any Roku device or Roku TV.
But prices and channel lineups for each live TV streaming service varies.
Can I watch ESPNU on my computer?
Yes. You can watch ESPNU on a PC or Mac by subscribing to DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, or the Spectrum TV app.
Can I watch ESPNU on my phone?
You can use a live TV streaming service to watch ESPNU on your iPhone or Android smartphone.
DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu Live TV 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 to stream ESPNU Live Now Without Cable
Sling TV is the cheapest way to watch ESPNU and it is an overall solid budget option. You need to add the Sports Extra bundle to any plan you choose to stream ESPNU. Subscribers get half off for the first month of service.
Hulu + Live TV is the second cheapest option, and includes ESPN Plus and Disney Plus.
After exploring the myriad of options to stream ESPNU without cable, the ball is now in your court.
Methodology
I spend hundreds of hours throughout the year conducting hands-on testing of streaming services, including Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV. I do the same rigorous testing for TV antennas and TV-related hardware. Check out the review policy to see how I compare products and services. The Cord Cutting Report is a reader-supported publication, and may earn affiliate commissions when you pick a streaming service through a recommendation. Read our affiliate policy for more information.
