Paramount Plus does not carry ESPN or most other live sports channels
Paramount Plus does not include ESPN, ESPN2, or any ESPN-owned channels in its standard subscription. The service focuses on entertainment, movies, and some sports content tied directly to CBS and the NFL, but it does not have the broadcast rights to ESPN's programming.
If you are looking for live sports, you need to know what Paramount Plus actually offers and what you would need to add or subscribe to separately to watch ESPN. The answer depends on which sports matter most to you and whether you want live games or highlights and analysis.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus does not include ESPN, ESPN2, or any ESPN-owned sports networks as part of its subscription.
- Paramount Plus carries live NFL games on CBS, college football, college basketball, and some golf and soccer, but not basketball or baseball from ESPN.
- To watch ESPN, you need a separate cable subscription, ESPN+ (a standalone streaming service), or a live TV streaming bundle that includes ESPN.
- Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and Sling TV bundle ESPN with other channels and cost more than Paramount Plus alone.
- ESPN+ is cheaper than a full cable package but does not include all ESPN channel programming—it has original shows, some live games, and archives.
What sports Paramount Plus actually includes
Paramount Plus carries live NFL games that air on CBS, which means you get Thursday Night Football and select Sunday games during the season. It also includes college football and college basketball games that CBS broadcasts, along with some golf tournaments and international soccer matches.
The service does not carry NBA games, MLB games, or the sports analysis and studio shows that ESPN produces. If you want to watch SportsCenter, ESPN's college football coverage, or Monday Night Baseball, you cannot get those through Paramount Plus alone.
How to watch ESPN if you do not have cable
The most direct way to watch ESPN without a cable subscription is to pay for ESPN+, which is a standalone streaming service owned by Disney. ESPN+ costs less than cable but does not include all ESPN channel programming—it focuses on original shows, some live sports events, and archived content. You can watch some college football and basketball games, soccer, hockey, and other sports, but not all games that air on the main ESPN channel.
If you want to watch everything ESPN broadcasts, including live games and studio shows as they air, you need a live TV streaming service that includes ESPN as a channel. These services—YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and Sling TV—bundle ESPN with other channels and cost between $55 and $76 per month, depending on which package you choose. They work like cable but stream over the internet instead.
Comparing ESPN+ to live TV streaming bundles
| Service | Cost per month | Includes ESPN channel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN+ | $11.99 (or bundled with Disney+ and Hulu) | No—original content and some live games only | Specific sports and shows, not all ESPN programming |
| YouTube TV | $72.99 | Yes | Full ESPN access plus many other channels |
| Hulu with Live TV | $76.99 | Yes | Full ESPN access plus Hulu on-demand library |
| Sling TV (Orange plan) | $40.99 | Yes | Budget option with ESPN but fewer other channels |
ESPN+ is the cheapest option if you only want some ESPN content and do not need the live ESPN channel feed. Live TV streaming services cost more but give you everything ESPN broadcasts, plus hundreds of other channels, and most let you record games to watch later.
Whether to bundle Paramount Plus with ESPN streaming
Many people subscribe to both Paramount Plus and ESPN+ because they want NFL games on CBS and some ESPN content without paying for a full cable package or live TV bundle. This combination costs about $24 per month (Paramount Plus at $12.99 and ESPN+ at $11.99, though prices vary by region and promotional offers). It covers a lot of sports but not all—you would still miss games that air only on ESPN2, ABC, or other channels.
If you watch sports almost every day and want access to all major leagues and networks, a live TV streaming service is usually worth the extra cost because it includes ESPN, ABC, Fox, NBC, and regional sports networks all in one place. If you watch a few specific sports or teams, mixing Paramount Plus and ESPN+ is cheaper and gives you what you actually need.
Regional sports networks and local teams
Neither Paramount Plus nor ESPN+ includes regional sports networks that broadcast local NBA, MLB, NHL, or MLS teams. If you want to watch your local team play, you typically need either cable, a live TV streaming service, or the league's own streaming option (like MLB.TV or NBA League Pass). Some regional networks have started their own streaming services, but availability depends on your location and the team.
Check your team's official website or your local cable provider's website to see which streaming options carry your team's games. This is one area where cable or a full live TV bundle still has an advantage over individual streaming services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch ESPN games through Paramount Plus if I have a cable login?
No. Paramount Plus does not offer a cable login option to unlock ESPN content. You would need to log in to the ESPN app or ESPN.com with your cable credentials, or watch through a live TV streaming service that includes ESPN.
Does Paramount Plus have any ESPN channels at all?
No. Paramount Plus does not carry ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, or any other ESPN-branded channel. It carries sports that CBS broadcasts, which is a different set of rights.
Is ESPN+ the same as the ESPN channel?
No. ESPN+ is a separate streaming service with original shows and some live games, but it does not include the live ESPN channel feed. If you want to watch SportsCenter or games as they air on ESPN, you need cable or a live TV streaming service.
What is the cheapest way to watch ESPN without cable?
ESPN+ at $11.99 per month is the cheapest way to watch some ESPN content. If you want all ESPN programming, Sling TV's Orange plan at $40.99 per month is the cheapest live TV option that includes the ESPN channel.
Can I watch college football on Paramount Plus?
Yes, but only games that CBS broadcasts. Paramount Plus does not carry college football games on ESPN, ABC, or other networks. For full college football coverage, you would need ESPN+ or a live TV streaming service.