Help/Faq

If the following questions do not solve your problem, please contact our Customer Care Team at 888-549-ESPN.


General Questions


What is ESPN3?


ESPN3 is a broadband network for live sports programming. ESPN3 harnesses the quality ESPN has built through its TV networks and delivers online sports programming to fans through a rich, interactive, and easy-to-use experience.

ESPN3 broadcasts thousands of live games and events online each year. A majority of the events are exclusive to ESPN3, while others are broadband-enhanced versions of games from one of ESPN's TV networks.

Click here to find a provider that carries ESPN3 in your area.

What kind of programming does ESPN3 offer?


Each year ESPN3 delivers thousands of live games and events like College Football and Basketball, NBA, MLB, The Masters and US Open Golf, all 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and more. Plus you get a fully interactive experience with real time in-game stats and scoreboards and live chat.

How long are games archived?


Games and events are available in ESPN3's archives varying from 24 hours to more than a week, depending on the sport.

How do I get access to ESPN3?


ESPN3 is available nationwide, but you must subscribe to a participating high speed internet service provider.

Click here for a list of participating providers.

Click here to find out more on how you can request access to ESPN3 or switch your service to a participating high speed internet service provider.

I heard that ESPN3 is free on college campuses and military bases. Is this true?


ESPN3 is available free to fans accessing the site from a college campus network in the United States or from a military base in the United States.

I have ESPN3 at home, but don't have access now. What should I do?


Customers of ESPN3's affiliated internet providers can see all the events on ESPN3 from any high-speed connection using the Remote Access feature! While on your home connection, log into your ESPN.com account, then head to ESPN3 and click on REMOTE ACCESS. You will be prompted to sync your ESPN.com account to activate the feature. Then, when you're away from home, just log into ESPN.com and you'll be able to see the 3,000+ yearly events on ESPN3!

Verizon Customers: Log into your Verizon Surround account anytime for access to ESPN3. You will need your Verizon username and password in order to log in and begin watching ESPN3.

Comcast Customers: Log into your Comcast.net account anytime for access to ESPN3. You will need your Comcast.net username and password in order to log in and begin watching ESPN3.

Please note that the Remote Access feature is not available outside of the United States of America.

Does ESPN3 offer games from the GamePlan and/or FullCourt subscription packages?


All GamePlan college football games and FullCourt college basketball games are now free through ESPN3 to fans who subscribe to a participating broadband internet service provider.

The college football and basketball lineup on ESPN3 includes exclusive games, simulcasts of ESPN and ESPN2 games and many regional games from around the country. That's more than 300 live college football games and more than 1000 live college basketball games this season.

Click here to find out more on how you can request access to ESPN3.

Why is an event blacked out?


This is because the event that you requested is not available on ESPN3 in your market. Blackouts apply to broadcasts that have been sold regionally or locally per league, conference and local rights holder agreements. Regional and local rights holders are usually broadcast stations or regional sports networks. Blackouts are implemented to protect the primary rights holder, as defined by the professional and college sports leagues or teams in a given market.

Technical Questions


Why can't I have Firebug enabled?


Due to the instabilities Firebug causes when using ESPN3, it is highly recommended to disable it for the best possible viewing experience.

Nothing happens when I click on the "Launch Video Player" button. How do I view the ESPN3 player?


The player is displayed in its own pop-up window. Your computer's pop-up blocker may be preventing the window from launching. Hold down the control button when clicking on the "Watch Now" button. That may allow a pop-up to be launched. If that doesn't work, please consult the instructions for the pop-up blocker you have installed.

Will I be able to watch ESPN3 using my laptop and a wireless card?


ESPN3 is not currently available through wireless cards, including Verizon and AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular) wireless cards.

My workplace uses one of the participating internet service providers but I still cannot access ESPN3 from work.


It is possible that your business's internet service provider offers ESPN3 on a residential level but not a commercial level. Many businesses also use firewalls and other security measures to prevent users from visiting sites not approved by the business. These measures may also prevent you from signing in to your home account through Remote Access or Verizon Surround.

Why does audio or video playback stop and/or stall?


Playback should not stop or stall under normal circumstances. However, video delivery may be disrupted during periods of internet congestion or when too many computer applications are open at the same time.

What can I do if the video playback stops or plays slowly?


If playback stalls, stops or plays slowly, try one or all of the following:
  • Refresh your browser or close your browser and open it again.
  • Drag the rewind button back in time several minutes in the program timeline.
  • Avoid internet congestion by waiting several minutes before viewing the programming again.
  • Close other computer applications that may be open at the same time.
  • If viewing in mosaic mode, try clicking "Pause Video Feeds" to pause play in the smaller windows.
  • Contact Customer Care by calling 888-549-ESPN or clicking here.


Why doesn't audio and video play at all?


Video can take 30-50 seconds display or you may be running a content filter, antivirus application or proxy accelerator that is preventing the streaming of video content. Please turn off these services and try again. If the problem persists please contact us via the feedback page.

Contact Customer Care


I'm still having problems, how can I contact someone for help?


Contact the ESPN.com Customer Care Team. If you do not see the answer to your question for problem above, or if you have further questions, comments or suggestion on how we can improve ESPN3, please contact our Customer Care Team at 888-549-ESPN.

Also feel free to provide feedback, by clicking here. Please note that this feedback section should only be used to let us know what you think about the new ESPN3. If you have specific questions, account related issues or access problems. Please call our Customer Care Team at 888-549-ESPN.


System Requirements


What are the system requirements?


We recommend the following for the best experience:

PC


Processor Speed: Single Core CPU @ 2.4GHz or Dual Core CPU
Memory: 512 MB of RAM (minimum of 256 MB)
Video Memory: 128 MB of Video RAM
Operating System: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Linux
Recommended Browsers: Internet Explorer 7+, Mozilla Firefox 3.5+, Safari 4, Chrome 3
Flash Player: Adobe Flash Player 10
Screen Resolution: 1024x768 or higher with 32-bit color
Connection Speed: 768 Kbps (minimum of 450 Kbps)

Mac


Processor Speed: 1.5 Ghz
Memory: 512 MB of RAM
Operating System:OS X 10.4+
Recommended Browsers: Mozilla Firefox 3.5+, Safari 4.0+, Chrome 3
Flash Player: Adobe Flash Player 10
Screen Resolution: 1024x768 or higher with 32-bit color
Connection Speed: 768 Kbps (minimum of 450 Kbps)


ESPN3 on XBOX LIVE


What are the requirements for ESPN on Xbox Live?


To access ESPN on Xbox LIVE, you must be connected to Xbox LIVE, have downloaded the ESPN application to your hard drive or memory unit, and have a current US Xbox LIVE Gold membership. To access live and on-demand event programming, you must access LIVE from an ESPN3.com affiliated provider. If you do not have an ESPN3.com-affiliated service provider, you can still access ESPN on Xbox LIVE and receive daily clips and highlights from ESPN.com. ESPN3.com is currently available in more than 65 million homes – a majority of U.S. homes via many Internet Service Providers of all sizes nationwide, including Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, Cox, Charter, Windstream, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications. It is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks. For more details and a complete list of providers, click here.

Why can't I see all the content I want to see?


Accessing ESPN3.com content on ESPN on Xbox LIVE requires you to be in the US and have a current Xbox LIVE Gold membership. To access live and on-demand games, you must also access LIVE from an ESPN3.com affiliated provider. For a complete list of providers, please click here.

If these requirements are met, you may be attempting to access content that is subject to blackout. If you receive a message that states, “this content is subject to blackout” it is because the event that you requested is not available on ESPN3.com in your market. Blackouts apply to broadcasts that have been sold regionally or locally per league, conference and local rights holder agreements. Regional and local rights holders are usually broadcast stations or regional sports networks. Blackouts are implemented to protect the primary rights holder, as defined by the professional and college sports leagues or teams in a given market.

How do I know if I have access to the ESPN on Xbox LIVE experience?


Accessing ESPN3.com content on ESPN on Xbox LIVE requires you to be in the US and have a current Xbox LIVE Gold membership. To access live and on-demand games, you must also access LIVE from an ESPN3.com affiliated provider. To verify whether your provider is an ESPN3.com affiliated provider, please click here.

So, how many people will really be able to enjoy this new service? Which regions will NOT be able to access ESPN on Xbox LIVE?


ESPN on Xbox LIVE is available to all Xbox LIVE Gold members in the US. Access to ESPN3.com content within the ESPN on Xbox LIVE experience is currently available in more than 53 million homes via dozens of affiliate providers of all sizes nationwide, including Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, Cox, Charter, Windstream, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications and will soon be available to Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks subscribers who have ESPN as part of their video subscriptions. It is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks. For more details and a complete list of providers, click here.

I have an affiliated provider, but why am I unable to access content from ESPN3.com?


This could be the result of your IP address being incorrectly identified as belonging to a different service provider. This may be resolved by resetting your network equipment. Do so by performing the following steps:

  1. 1. Turn off your Xbox 360 console and your network hardware (such as your modem and your router).
  2. 2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. 3. Turn on your modem and wait for it to come online. (This may take approximately one minute).
  4. 4. Turn on the next piece of hardware (for example, a router), and wait another minute.
  5. 5. Repeat step 4 for any additional network hardware.
  6. 6. Turn on your Xbox 360 console.
  7. 7. Sign in to an Xbox LIVE Gold profile.
  8. 9. Re-launch the ESPN app.

If you continue to experience issues, please contact ESPN3 at 888-549-3776 for additional support.

Will Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks customers be able to access ESPN3.com on Xbox Live?


We are working diligently to bring ESPN on XBox LIVE as soon as possible to Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks subscribers.

Why does my friend have access to more content on ESPN on Xbox LIVE than I do?


To ensure you have access to ESPN on Xbox LIVE, including access to live and on-demand games, you must meet the following requirements:

- Valid Xbox LIVE Gold membership
- US Gold account, accessing LIVE from the United States
- ESPN3.com affiliated provide

If you are able to access ESPN on Xbox LIVE, but only receive highlights from ESPN.com, your ISP or cable provider is currently not an affiliated ESPN3.com provider. To verify whether your provider is an ESPN3.com affiliated provider, please click here.

If you have verified that your provider is an affiliated provider and continue to encounter problems accessing the ESPN3.com live and on-demand game content, please contact ESPN at 888-549-ESPN. To find out more on how you can request access to ESPN3.com or switch your service to a participating provider, please click here.

I am an Xbox Gold member but my provider is not affiliated with ESPN3.com. What are my options?


To find out more on how you can request access to ESPN3.com or switch your service to a participating provider, please click here.

I have a free Xbox LIVE membership and I’m unable to access ESPN on Xbox LIVE?


To ensure you have access to ESPN on Xbox LIVE, including access to live and on-demand games, you must meet the following requirements:

- Valid Xbox LIVE Gold membership
- US Gold account, accessing LIVE from the United States
- ESPN3.com affiliated provider

Everytime I start playing a video, why does it start in a poor quality format?


This behavior is expected. When first launching a clip, you will be streamed a lower quality version while your connection speed is determined. After a few seconds, the clip should change to a higher quality version. If the quality issue persists after the first couple of seconds, try removing and re-downloading ESPN by following the steps below. If problem still occurs, please contact 888-549-ESPN.

Why did a live event not start at the expected start time?


Schedule changes happen more often for sports than for any other type of programming. And there are a variety of reasons for that, including: uncertainty of playoff schedules, weather conditions, delays in production, events running short or long, and other extenuating circumstances.

How do I download ESPN on Xbox LIVE?


To download ESPN on Xbox LIVE, perform the following steps:

  1. 1. Sign in with an US Xbox Live Gold profile.
  2. 2. Go to Video Marketplace
  3. 3. Select the ESPN slot and press the ‘A’ button.
  4. 4. A prompt will appear on the screen. Select ‘Download Now’ and press the ‘A’ button to start the download.
  5. 5. Once you receive confirmation that the download has finished, return to the ESPN slot in Video Marketplace and press the ‘A’ button to launch ESPN.


How do I remove ESPN on Xbox LIVE?


To remove ESPN on Xbox LIVE, perform the following steps:

  1. 1. Go to My Xbox and select System Settings.
  2. 2. Select Memory.
  3. 3. Select the storage device where ESPN is saved.
  4. 4. Select Games.
  5. 5. Select ESPN.
  6. 6. Select Delete to remove ESPN.
  7. 7. If you wish to re-download ESPN, follow the steps above for ‘How do I download it?’



 

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