The Cord Cutting Report

How to Get ESPN+ on any TV 

By Jim Kimble / Updated November 16, 2022

ESPN+ can be added to just about any TV that’s on the market. Even if you own an old, non-Smart TV, you can still watch ESPN+.

You can stream every episode of “30 for 30” from the start to finish. The same goes for live, daily MLB games, NHL games, the PGA Tour and UFC fights.

This quick guide will take you step-by-step through signing up for ESPN+ and adding it to streaming devices, Smart TVs and older TVs lacking HDMI ports. 

Before you jump off your computer, smartphone or tablet, sign up for ESPN+ online while you are on your smartphone or computer. Using a computer or phone to complete your account is much easier than with a remote control.

(Note: A ESPN+ subscription costs $9.99 per month. You can follow these same instructions to sign-up for the Disney+ bundle, which includes Hulu and ESPN+, which costs $12.99 per month.)

Table of Contents

How to Get ESPN Plus on Any TV and Smart TV

ESPN+ streams its shows and live sporting events within the ESPN app. There is no standalone ESPN+ app. 

If you don’t own a Smart TV, you will need to plug a streaming device or game console into the HDMI port in the back or side of your TV set. 

Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV (4th Generation), Google Chromecast, Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 all have software that supports the ESPN+ app. 

The sections below cover how to add ESPN+ to each device or TV setup.  

Adding ESPN+ to older TVs and older Smart TVs

espn-plus-on-any-tv
ESPN+ has live sports and on-demand shows, including “30 for 30”. (Photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)

Software truly determines how you can add the ESPN app to a TV. Don’t worry, even if you own an older TV that doesn’t have a HDMI port, you can pick up a Roku Express+ for about $30 or less. 

(Note: Roku stopped making these models, but there is a robust market of refurbished units out there. Just make sure the model you buy has composite cables.)

With a Roku Express+, you will be able to stream ESPN+, Paramount+, Hulu and any other app that is featured on modern televisions. A Smart TV with Android TV software, an LG TV or Samsung Smart TV (with the Tizen operating system) all have the ESPN app. The same is true for any Roku TV or a Fire TV Edition television.

Just head over to the TV’s app icon or store. Search for ESPN and add the app to your home screen. Once you launch the ESPN app, you will just need to enter your email and password to begin watching movies and shows. 

For Smart TVs with no ESPN+ app

One frustration among some Smart TV owners is that the ESPN app is unavailable. Imagine having a nice 4K TV that you paid a tidy sum for. But now you can’t add the one streaming service you really want. 

Why does this happen? Unfortunately, there are a number of Smart TVs that are beyond a few years old that do not have very good software updates. The ESPN app is regularly updated to improve the viewer’s experience so it may not be compatible with an older operating system. 

Instead of writing an angry email to the manufacturer, you’re better off adding an inexpensive Roku, Google Chromecast with Google TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick to your TV. These inexpensive streaming devices get updates throughout the year. Your 2014 television? Not so much. 

For as little as $30, less than the price of a tank of gas, you can move off of outdated Smart TV software. With a decent Internet connection, a Roku or Fire TV will broaden the number of streaming services that you can watch. 

My parents television is about 8 years old and still delivers a stellar picture. When I helped them cut the cord last year, I added a Roku Ultra, ported their landline with an Obihai 200 and hardwired both devices to their router.

How to get ESPN Plus on a Roku or Roku TV

The ESPN app is among the library of Roku Channels. If you’re new to Roku or just bought a Roku TV, here’s how to quickly add ESPN+ and start watching in 7 steps. 

  1. Turn on your Roku or Roku TV
  2. Select Streaming Channels from the left column menu
  3. Select Search Channels
  4. Type in ‘ESPN’ then select the ESPN+ app
  5. Choose Add Channel 
  6. Select the ESPN app from the Home Screen
  7. Login with Email and Password

How do I get ESPN Plus on Fire TV or Fire Stick?

All Fire TV devices, including Fire TV Edition televisions, get apps from the Apps & Games section. Fire TVs that have a voice search button on the remote control have a short cut for hunting down apps.

You can say “ESPN app” and select it for download. If that doesn’t work for some reason, then the traditional method is short and simple: 

  1. Hold down the Home button on the Fire TV remote
  2. Select “apps” under the menu
  3. Then select ESPN under streaming apps

How to add ESPN+ to Apple TV

Apple TV (4th generation or later) supports the ESPN+ app. Adding apps can easily be done with the remote control. 

  1. Launch app store from home screen 
  2. Navigate to ESPN app 
  3. Click on app, then again on “Get” to confirm

Adding ESPN Plus to Xbox One and XBox Series X

Getting the ESPN app on Xbox One takes a few simple steps:

  1. Go to “Store” tab at the top of the home screen
  2. Once within the Microsoft Store, scroll down to Search
  3. Type in “ESPN”

Then just confirm you want to download the ESPN app. You can sign in to your ESPN+ account with your email and password.

Watching ESPN+ on PS4 or PS5

You can add the ESPN+ app to PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 just like any other app or game:

  1. Go to PlayStation Store
  2. Select the search bar
  3. Type in ESPN
  4. Download the ESPN app
  5. Login with email and password

Is ESPN Plus on Nintendo Switch?

Nintendo Switch does not support the ESPN app.

For game consoles, ESPN+ only supports PlayStation 4 and 5, XBox One, XBox Series X and NVIDIA Shield. It’s unclear whether that will change in the months ahead.

STREAMING SERVICEPRICE# OF STREAMSRESOLUTION
ESPN+$9.99/mo. ($99.99 annual)4Up to 4K
ESPN+ Bundle$12.99/mo.6 *Up to 4K
Netflix$15.49/mo.21080p
Netflix Premium Plan$19.99/mo4Up to 4K
HBO Max$14.99/mo3Up to 4K
Amazon Prime Video$14.99/mo.($139 annually)2Up to 4K

Sign up to watch live sports on ESPN+ or you can get the Disney+ Bundle, which has 4 streams for Disney+, 1 for Hulu and 2 for ESPN+.

This article was published June 10, 2022, and has been updated.