Recent Questions

What networks are available thru WatchESPN?

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater

Is the content on WatchESPN different from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater on my TV?

No, WatchESPN is a live stream of the ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater networks, and also ESPN3.

When can I still watch ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes live events on ESPN3?

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes live events will only be available on their respective channels on WatchESPN.

Why can't I get certain events that I used to have access to on ESPN3?

That content is now available on WatchESPN. ESPN3 is a network focused fully on exclusive programming.

When did this change to ESPN3 programming begin?

Exclusive events have been a part of ESPN3 since its inception. Limited simulcasts were delivered since August 2012, but fully exclusive events on ESPN3 began on August 5, 2013.

What will I be able to watch on ESPN3 now?

Programming on ESPN3 includes exclusive college football, college basketball, NCAA Championships, tennis, golf, soccer, cricket and more.

Will I still be able to watch those GamePlan and Full Court games on ESPN3?

Yes, games available on GamePlan and Full Court will continue to be carried on ESPN3, subject to local and regional blackouts.

Will replays still be available on ESPN3?

Yes, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes replays will continue to be made available on ESPN3. Replays will be accessible as early as immediately after the conclusion of the event and no later than 2:30 a.m. ET that evening.

If I have access to ESPN3, why don't I have access to WatchESPN?

WatchESPN requires a video subscription from an affiliated provider. Click here for a list of the current affiliates.

Beginning on August 15, 2013, users accessing WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN mobile application via an on-campus (.edu) or on-base (.mil) network will receive complimentary access to ESPN3 content.

I am a video subscriber to one of the affiliated TV providers, how do I sign in for access?

Visit the What is WatchESPN? tab for an instructional video on how to sign in for access.

What if my video subscription is not through one of the affiliated providers for WatchESPN?

We are working diligently to sign additional agreements for more fans to access WatchESPN. Call your TV provider to request WatchESPN.

Which ISPs allow access to WatchESPN?

WatchESPN requires a video subscription from an affiliated provider.

Why can't I get certain events that I used to have access to on ESPN on Xbox LIVE?

That content is now available on WatchESPN, which is also available to ESPN on Xbox LIVE Gold members.

What is the Live Toolbar?

The Live Toolbar is a new WatchESPN feature available only on iPad and iPad mini (iOS 6.0 or later). The Live Toolbar provides users with access to a Live TV interactive channel guide for all ESPN Networks, eliminating the need to stop video and jump back to the schedule page to find a different event. It also features a Scores tab that provides users with Live, Final and Upcoming game information, as well as the Top Videos tab, featuring on-demand video clips from ESPN.com.

Who will be able to access WatchESPN content on Apple TV?

Apple TV users with a WatchESPN affiliated video provider must authenticate to gain access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater. To view a list of the WatchESPN affiliated video providers, please click here.

Apple TV users who do not subscribe to an affiliated video provider will have access to ESPN.com video on demand clips only.

Will there be an additional subscription fee for WatchESPN content on the Apple TV?

No, WatchESPN on Apple TV is free to access for all users. All users will have access to the VOD clips in front of the wall. Users who receive their video subscription from an affiliated service provider will have access to authenticated live programming and events.

I get ESPN3 through my affiliated ISP. Why can't I access it through Apple TV?

WatchESPN on Apple TV requires an affiliated video subscription.

Will Monday Night Football be available on Apple TV?

Yes, Monday Night Football will be available to subscribers via authentication. On other platforms, MNF is only available via WatchESPN.com online and WatchESPN on iPads, NOT on phones or Android tablets currently.

Will there be blackouts on Apple TV?

Yes, as with television, blackouts will apply to telecasts that have been sold regionally or locally per league, conference and local rights holder agreements. WatchESPN on Apple TV will not have device blackouts or additional blackouts specific to Apple TV devices.

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General Questions

What is WatchESPN?

WatchESPN is your single online and mobile destination for ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater.

What are the compatible mobile and tablet devices?

WatchESPN is available for use on the following mobile devices: Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, iPad Mini (must have OS 4.0 or later) and Android Mobile and tablet devices, including the Kindle Fire (running version 2.3.3 and above).

Is there a cost to download the WatchESPN app?

WatchESPN is free. However, you must be a subscriber of a participating TV service provider in order to have access to the full range of networks.

Is there a wireless data charge to view WatchESPN on my mobile device or tablet?

Many wireless providers have specific data plans to support video consumption, please check with your provider to confirm you have an appropriate plan.

What happens if I switch mobile devices?

If you have completed your online registration with your video service provider and have synched this registration with your ESPN.com registration, all you need to do is re-download the application and enter your ESPN.com login and password on the new device.

What happens if I switch wireless providers?

The process is exactly the same as viewing WatchESPN on an initial device for the first time.

How can I get access to all ESPN networks available on WatchESPN?

Online registration through your TV service provider is required in order to access content on all networks. Non-participating TV provider customers have access to ESPN3 programming online only at WatchESPN.com or on WatchESPN on the Xbox with an Xbox LIVE Gold membership, as long as they subscribe to a participating high speed internet service provider. Click here for a list of participating video providers. Click here for a list of high speed internet providers.

How do I authenticate and log in to WatchESPN on my mobile or tablet device if my TV provider is a participating provider?

Go to www.espnnetworks.com/setup and follow the instructions to complete your online registration with your video service provider. This process also includes synching your video service provider online registration with your ESPN.com registration. Upon completion, you will be directed back to your mobile device or tablet. Once you have returned to the WatchESPN application, enter your ESPN.com registration credentials.

Will I be required to sign in every time I visit WatchESPN?

There is no need to re-enter any credentials, as long as you are accessing content from the same computer. For tablet and mobile devices, you will not need to re-enter credentials on a tablet or mobile device provided you don't logout of the application.

Can I access WatchESPN internationally?

At this time, WatchESPN is only available on U.S. domestic internet and wireless services.

I subscribe to Verizon Broadband (but not Verizon FIOS), can I get full access to all the networks on WatchESPN?

You will be able to view ESPN3 only on WatchESPN.

I am an ESPN video subscriber with a participating TV provider but I am unable to access all the networks on WatchESPN?

Contact your TV service provider to ensure your online registration is complete and that your subscription is current.

I am an ESPN video subscriber with a participating TV provider, will I have access to all the networks on WatchESPN if I log in away from home?

Yes. Once you log in to WatchESPN, click on any event with a blue "Watch Now" link and enter your credentials used for your TV service provider.

How is my location determined if the event is blacked out? What is a Blackout?

If you see a message that states, "This content is subject to blackout", this is because the event that you requested is not available on WatchESPN in your location. Your location is determined by your IP Address.

Blackouts apply to telecasts 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.

Why am I unable to watch Monday Night Football from my mobile device?

Due to rights differences, Monday Night Football (and preseason NFL games) are only available on WatchESPN on a desktop, WatchESPN on Xbox with a Xbox Live GOLD membership, WatchESPN on Apple TV, or on the WatchESPN application on iPads. Android devices will not have access to Monday Night Football programming.

Why are ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater sometimes unavailable for viewing?

ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater are not 24 hour channels.

ESPN Goal Line features live cut-ins and highlights from numerous top college football games during each Saturday of the college football season

ESPN Buzzer Beater features live cut-ins and highlights from numerous top college basketball games during each Wednesday and Saturday of the college basketball season.

On occasion, the content on my computer screen differs slightly from that on my TV screen, why is that?

In rare circumstances, ESPN does not have the same rights to show content on some devices as on TV. If that is the case, we may substitute a relevant image on the screen.

Why am I seeing an error message displaying in a screen overlay on WatchESPN?

Error messages from your video service provider may appear on WatchESPN. Messages appear when there is an issue with your video service subscription. In this case, you should contact your local video service provider customer service department for further assistance.

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Technical Questions

What are the system requirements to run WatchESPN on the desktop?

We recommend the following for the best experience:

• 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, Windows 8
• Recommended Browsers: Internet Explorer 8+, Mozilla Firefox 22+, Safari 5, Chrome 28+
• Flash Player: Adobe Flash Player 10.2 or above
• Screen Resolution: 1024x768 or higher with 32-bit color
• Recommended Connection Speed: 2 Mbps or greater

• Processor Speed: 1.5 Ghz
• Memory: 512 MB of RAM
• Operating System: OS X 10.4+
• Recommended Browsers: Safari 5.0+, Mozilla Firefox 22+, Chrome 28+
• Flash Player: Adobe Flash Player 10.2 or above
• Screen Resolution: 1024x768 or higher with 32-bit color
• Recommended Connection Speed: 2 Mbps or greater

Will WatchESPN also be available on WIFI?

WatchESPN will also work on WIFI, 3G and 4G service.

Why is my streaming quality poor or is always freezing?

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
• Avoid internet congestion by waiting several minutes before viewing the programming again
• Close other computer applications that may be open at the same time
• Contact Customer Care by calling 888-549-ESPN

Why is my audio and video not in sync?

Make sure that you are not doing anything network intensive on the same connection, such as downloading or sharing large files, or playing online games. Next, try re-starting the video player to see if that resolves the issue. If the problem persists, contact ESPN Customer Care by calling 888-549-ESPN.

When I launch WatchESPN, I see a black screen, nothing happens or there is no audio/video. What is wrong?

Video can take several 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.

Why am I experiencing blurring of video and/or a loss in sound?

At times, viewers may witness a temporary loss in sound or blurring of video on WatchESPN.com. The blurring/muting is required to honor the digital rights ESPN has been granted for the content which - in rare cases - differs from those rights granted for traditional television usage. If this problem persists, please contact ESPN Customer Care at 888-549-ESPN.

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