YouTube TV does not include ESPN+ as part of its base subscription

YouTube TV's standard package includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, but ESPN+ is a separate streaming service you have to pay for on top of your YouTube TV subscription. ESPN+ is owned by Disney and operates independently from the cable channels that come with YouTube TV.

The confusion is understandable because ESPN owns multiple services. ESPN (the cable channel) comes with YouTube TV. ESPN+ (the streaming app) does not. If you want ESPN+, you add it as an optional add-on through YouTube TV, or you can subscribe to it directly through the ESPN app or Disney+.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV includes the ESPN cable channels (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3) but does not include ESPN+ streaming service.
  • You can add ESPN+ through YouTube TV for a monthly fee, or subscribe to it separately through the ESPN app or Disney+.
  • ESPN+ offers exclusive live games, original shows, and on-demand content that is not available on the cable ESPN channels.
  • If you bundle ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu, the combined cost is lower than paying for each service separately.

What ESPN channels come with YouTube TV

YouTube TV's base package includes access to ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3. These are the same cable channels you would get through a traditional pay-TV provider. You can watch live sports, news, and replays through the YouTube TV app on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV.

ESPN3 is a streaming-only channel included with YouTube TV that shows additional games and events not broadcast on the main ESPN channels. It is available through the YouTube TV app and the ESPN app if you sign in with your YouTube TV credentials.

What ESPN+ offers that YouTube TV does not

ESPN+ is a separate subscription service that carries content the cable channels do not. This includes exclusive live games from major sports leagues, original shows, documentaries, and replays of past events. Many college football and basketball games, NHL games, and MLS matches air only on ESPN+.

If you want to watch a specific game and you are not sure where it is airing, you can check the ESPN website or app. The listing will tell you whether it is on ESPN (cable), ESPN+ (streaming), or another network. Just because you have YouTube TV does not mean you automatically have access to every ESPN-branded broadcast.

How to add ESPN+ to your YouTube TV account

You can add ESPN+ directly through YouTube TV's add-ons menu. Open the YouTube TV app or website, go to Settings, select Memberships, and look for ESPN+. YouTube TV will show you the current price and let you add it with one click. The charge appears on your YouTube TV bill each month.

Alternatively, you can subscribe to ESPN+ through the ESPN app, the Disney+ app, or the ESPN website without going through YouTube TV. Your YouTube TV subscription and ESPN+ subscription would then be separate, with separate bills and separate login credentials.

Bundle pricing for ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu

Disney offers a bundle that combines ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu at a lower total price than paying for each service separately. The bundle comes in different tiers depending on whether you want ads on Disney+ and Hulu. This bundle is available whether or not you have YouTube TV.

If you subscribe to the bundle, you get ESPN+ included, so you would not need to add it through YouTube TV. You would manage your Disney bundle subscription separately from your YouTube TV account. Many people use both services together—YouTube TV for live cable channels and local broadcasts, and the Disney bundle for streaming content.

Sports you might only find on ESPN+

ESPN+ carries exclusive broadcasts of certain sports and leagues. College football and college basketball games often air on ESPN+ instead of the cable channels. MLS (Major League Soccer) matches, NHL games, and UFC events frequently stream only on ESPN+. Some MLB games also appear on ESPN+ as part of a rotating schedule.

If you follow a specific team or sport, check the ESPN schedule before assuming YouTube TV will have the game. The cable ESPN channels show marquee matchups and prime-time games, while ESPN+ handles additional games and less prominent matchups. Having both services gives you the widest coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch ESPN+ on my TV if I have YouTube TV?

Yes, if you add ESPN+ through YouTube TV or subscribe to it separately, you can watch it on any device that supports the ESPN app or Disney+, including smart TVs, streaming devices, and game consoles. You do not have to watch it through YouTube TV itself.

Do I need YouTube TV to get ESPN+?

No. ESPN+ is available as a standalone subscription through the ESPN app, Disney+, or directly on the ESPN website. You can have ESPN+ without YouTube TV, or YouTube TV without ESPN+. They are independent services.

Is ESPN+ included in any YouTube TV plan?

ESPN+ is not included in any YouTube TV plan. It is always an optional add-on you pay extra for, or a separate subscription you manage outside of YouTube TV.

What is the difference between ESPN and ESPN+?

ESPN is a cable channel that comes with YouTube TV and traditional pay-TV packages. ESPN+ is a streaming service with exclusive games and original content. They are owned by the same company but operate as separate services with different content libraries.

If I have YouTube TV, do I still need ESPN+?

That depends on what sports you watch. YouTube TV covers most major broadcasts on the cable ESPN channels. ESPN+ adds exclusive games, especially in college sports, soccer, and hockey. If you follow teams that play only on ESPN+, you would need it. Otherwise, YouTube TV alone may be enough.