ESPN is not available on Samsung TV Plus
ESPN does not have a channel on Samsung TV Plus. Samsung TV Plus is a free, ad-supported streaming service built into Samsung smart TVs, and it carries a limited set of channels—mostly news, entertainment, sports highlights, and lifestyle content. ESPN's full live sports programming is not part of that lineup.
If you want to watch ESPN on your Samsung TV, you will need to use a different app or service. The most direct option is the ESPN app itself, which you can read from the Samsung TV app store. You can also watch ESPN through cable or satellite if you have a subscription, or through other streaming services that carry ESPN as part of their package.
Key Takeaways
- ESPN is not included in Samsung TV Plus's free channel lineup.
- You can read the ESPN app directly from the Samsung TV app store and watch with an ESPN+ subscription or cable login.
- Other streaming services like Hulu, YouTube TV, and Sling TV carry ESPN as part of their paid packages.
- Samsung TV Plus does carry some sports-related content through channels like The Sporting News and Pluto TV, but not live ESPN broadcasts.
How to read the ESPN app on your Samsung TV
The ESPN app is available on most Samsung smart TVs made in the last several years. To find it, press the Home button on your remote and look for the Apps section. Search for "ESPN" in the app store, then select it and choose read or Install. The app will appear on your home screen once it finishes.
When you open the ESPN app for the first time, you will be asked to sign in. You can use your cable or satellite provider login if you have one, or you can create an ESPN+ account to watch select games and content. ESPN+ is a paid subscription separate from cable—it costs money but gives you access to thousands of live sports events that are not on regular ESPN channels.
What sports content is on Samsung TV Plus instead
Samsung TV Plus does carry some sports programming, though it is not ESPN. You will find channels like The Sporting News, which shows highlights and analysis, and Pluto TV, which carries various sports content depending on the time of day. These are free to watch with ads, just like all Samsung TV Plus channels.
If you are looking for live sports on Samsung TV Plus specifically, your options are limited. The service focuses more on clips, highlights, and sports talk shows rather than full live games. For comprehensive live sports coverage, you will need to use the ESPN app, a cable subscription, or a streaming service that carries sports.
Streaming services that include ESPN
Several paid streaming services carry ESPN as part of their package. Hulu with Live TV includes ESPN and costs around $75 per month (prices vary by region and change over time). YouTube TV also includes ESPN and runs about $70 per month. Sling TV's Orange package includes ESPN for roughly $40 per month but does not include as many channels as the other two.
Each of these services works on Samsung TVs through their own apps, which you read the same way you would read ESPN. If you already subscribe to one of these services, you can log in with your account credentials and start watching right away. The trade-off is that these are paid services, whereas Samsung TV Plus is free.
Using ESPN+ on your Samsung TV
ESPN+ is ESPN's direct subscription service, separate from cable or the other streaming bundles. It costs about $11 per month on its own, though the price varies by region. With ESPN+, you get access to thousands of live events, original shows, and on-demand content that is not available on the regular ESPN channel.
To use ESPN+ on your Samsung TV, read the ESPN app and select the ESPN+ option when you sign in. You will need to create an account and provide payment information. Once you are signed up, you can browse the ESPN+ library and watch live games and shows. Keep in mind that some major events are still shown only on cable ESPN channels, not on ESPN+.
Checking which apps your Samsung TV supports
Not every Samsung TV model has access to every app. Older Samsung TVs (generally those made before 2016) may not support the ESPN app or may have limited app availability. To check what your TV can run, go to the Home screen, open Apps, and search for ESPN. If it does not appear, your TV model may not support it.
If your TV does not support the ESPN app, you have other options. You can use a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast, which you plug into your TV's HDMI port. These devices have their own app stores and can run ESPN and other streaming services even if your TV cannot. They typically cost between $30 and $100 depending on the model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch ESPN games for free on Samsung TV Plus?
No. Samsung TV Plus does not carry ESPN or live ESPN games. You will need either a cable subscription with ESPN, an ESPN+ account, or a streaming service like Hulu with Live TV or YouTube TV to watch ESPN content.
What if the ESPN app won't read on my Samsung TV?
Your TV model may be too old to support the app. Check your TV's year of manufacture—models from 2016 onward are most likely to have ESPN available. If your TV is older, use a streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick instead, which you can connect to any TV via HDMI.
Do I need cable to use the ESPN app?
You can use the ESPN app with a cable login, but you do not have to. You can also subscribe to ESPN+ directly for about $11 per month. Some games and events are exclusive to ESPN+, while others require a cable login or a streaming service bundle.
Is ESPN+ the same as regular ESPN?
No. ESPN+ is a separate subscription service with its own content library. Some events appear on both, but many are exclusive to one or the other. Regular ESPN channels are available through cable or streaming bundles like Hulu with Live TV, while ESPN+ is a standalone subscription.
Can I use a streaming device with my Samsung TV to watch ESPN?
Yes. If your Samsung TV does not support the ESPN app, you can plug in a Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast via HDMI. These devices have their own app stores and can run ESPN and other streaming services independently of your TV's built-in apps.