You can watch ESPN and ABC through their own apps, cable login, or streaming services that carry them
If you've left YouTube TV or are looking for alternatives, ESPN and ABC are available through several routes that don't require YouTube TV at all. ESPN has its own streaming service called ESPN+, which carries some live games and original shows. ABC broadcasts over the air for free if you have an antenna, and also streams on Hulu and Disney+ with a cable login or paid subscription. You can also get both channels through other live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or FuboTV.
Key Takeaways
- ABC is free with a TV antenna in most areas, and you can stream it on Hulu or Disney+ if you have a cable login or paid subscription.
- ESPN+ is a separate streaming service from cable ESPN and carries some live sports, but not all games that air on the cable channel.
- Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV all carry both ESPN and ABC as part of their live TV packages.
- A cable login from any provider (Comcast, Charter, DirecTV, etc.) unlocks ESPN and ABC streaming on their official apps and websites.
Getting ABC with an antenna or streaming login
ABC is a broadcast network, which means it transmits over the air for free. If you have a TV antenna, you can pick up ABC in your area without paying anything. An antenna costs between $20 and $60 depending on the model and range, and you only buy it once.
If you prefer to stream ABC, you have two main paths. The first is to use a cable login—if you have cable through any provider (Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, AT&T, DirecTV, or others), you can log in to the ABC app or ABC.com with those credentials and stream ABC for free. The second is to subscribe to Hulu (with ads) or Disney+ (with ads), both of which include ABC streaming. Hulu with ads costs around $8 per month; Disney+ with ads costs around $8 per month. If you want both without ads, each costs more.
Understanding ESPN+ versus cable ESPN
ESPN+ is a separate streaming service from the cable channel ESPN. This is the biggest source of confusion. ESPN+ carries some live sports (mostly college football, soccer, and hockey), original shows, and replays, but it does not carry most of the major live games that air on the ESPN cable channel. If you want to watch Monday Night Football, NBA games, or the College Football Playoff, you need access to the cable ESPN channel itself, not just ESPN+.
ESPN+ costs around $11 per month on its own, or $14 per month as part of the Disney Bundle (which also includes Hulu and Disney+). It is useful if you follow sports that ESPN+ focuses on, but it is not a replacement for cable ESPN access.
Watching ESPN through a cable login
If you have cable through any provider, you can stream ESPN on the ESPN app or ESPN.com by logging in with your cable credentials. This gives you access to the same live games and shows that air on the cable channel. You do not need YouTube TV specifically—any cable subscription works.
read the ESPN app on your phone, tablet, or streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, etc.), select your cable provider from the login screen, and sign in. On a computer or web browser, go to ESPN.com, click the login button, and follow the same process. This method is free if you already have cable.
Live TV streaming services that carry both channels
If you don't have cable and don't want to use an antenna, several live TV streaming services include both ESPN and ABC. Hulu + Live TV costs around $77 per month and includes over 90 channels, including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and other sports networks. Sling TV offers two packages: Sling Blue (around $40 per month) includes ESPN and ABC, while Sling Orange (around $40 per month) includes ESPN but not ABC. FuboTV costs around $80 per month and includes both channels plus a heavy focus on sports.
These services work on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices. Most offer a free trial period (usually 3 to 7 days) so you can test the service before committing. The trade-off is that they cost more than ESPN+ or Hulu alone, but they give you access to live TV across many channels, not just ESPN and ABC.
Comparing your options by cost and what you get
| Option | Cost | ABC | ESPN | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV antenna | $20–$60 one-time | Yes | No | Over-the-air broadcast |
| Cable login (if you have cable) | Included with cable | Yes | Yes | Stream via app or website |
| Hulu (with ads) | ~$8/month | Yes | No | Streaming app |
| ESPN+ | ~$11/month | No | Some games only | Streaming app |
| Hulu + Live TV | ~$77/month | Yes | Yes | Live TV streaming service |
| Sling Blue | ~$40/month | Yes | Yes | Live TV streaming service |
| FuboTV | ~$80/month | Yes | Yes | Live TV streaming service |
What to check before you choose
Before you commit to a service, verify that it carries the specific sports or shows you want to watch. ESPN+ does not carry all ESPN games, so if you follow a particular team, check whether their games air on cable ESPN or ESPN+. Some games are exclusive to one service or the other.
Also check your internet speed. Live TV streaming services and ESPN+ both need a stable connection—most recommend at least 8 Mbps for HD streaming. If your internet is slow or unreliable, an antenna is your most dependable option for ABC, and you can supplement with a cable login for ESPN if you have cable.
Finally, if you have multiple people in your household who want to watch at the same time, check the service's simultaneous stream limits. Most allow 2 to 4 streams at once, but some are more restrictive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch ESPN games on ESPN+ or do I need cable ESPN?
ESPN+ carries some live sports, but not the major games that air on cable ESPN. If you want to watch Monday Night Football, NBA games, or the College Football Playoff, you need access to the cable ESPN channel through a cable login, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or FuboTV. Check the ESPN schedule to see which channel each game airs on.
Do I need a cable subscription to use the ESPN app?
Yes, the ESPN app requires a cable login to stream live games. If you don't have cable, you can use ESPN+ (which has limited live games), or get a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV or Sling Blue that includes cable ESPN.
Can I get ABC without cable or an antenna?
Yes. You can stream ABC through Hulu (with or without ads), Disney+ (with ads), or a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV or Sling Blue. You can also use a cable login if you have cable through any provider.
Is there a free way to watch both ESPN and ABC?
An antenna gives you free ABC. For ESPN, you need either a cable login (if you have cable) or a paid service like ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or FuboTV. There is no completely free way to watch cable ESPN without cable or a paid streaming service.
Which live TV streaming service is cheapest?
Sling Blue costs around $40 per month and includes both ABC and ESPN. Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV cost more but include many more channels. If you only care about ABC and ESPN, Sling Blue is the most affordable live TV option.