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ESPN Plus is not available in Canada. However, if you already have a ESPN+ account and are outside of the geo limited area to watch your subscription, you can use a VPN app to gain access and unblock ESPN.
1. Connect your VPN to an accepted server location
2. Login to your ESPN Plus account
3. Start watching your favourite sports matches
If you’re a sports fan, you might be interested in this trusted streaming guide to watch all live sports.
You’ve probably heard of ESPN – it’s one of the top-rated sports channels around the globe.
Whether you’re tuning in to watch a Canucks or Raptors game, they offer the best coverage.
ESPN Plus is the company’s online streaming division, owned by The Walt Disney company.
ESPN+ doesn’t offer you all the same content as the ESPN app or the cable channel.
It focuses on niche sports, like MLS soccer, Euro league football, and rugby.
While Disney+ is available in Canada, you can’t get a cable TV subscription to ESPN+.
Why Isn’t ESPN+ Available in Canada?
The issue is with licensing agreements.
It’s for this reason that Canadians can’t access ESPN+ content and other Disney platforms like Hulu.
To avoid violating the contractual rights between sports content distribution networks and Disney, ESPN must enforce geo-blocking protocols on all content.
As a result of the licensing issue, the ESPN+ service is not available outside of the United States.
That’s not great news for Canadian sports fans.
Is ESPN+ Different from the ESPN Cable Channel?
It’s important to reiterate that ESPN+ is not the same service as the ESPN cable channel or the ESPN app.
These platforms focus on the big NHL, NBA, and NFL games.
With the ESPN+ app, you don’t get any SportsCenter, and no Stephen A. Smith (that might be a bonus depending on your opinion).
The official ESPN application, previously known as “Watch ESPN,” gives you the option of watching ESPN thousands of live broadcasts across the widest variety of sports shows and events.
The ESPN app comes with sports news, real-time scoreboards, and access to an extensive library of content featuring highlight reels, archived events, replays, and breakdowns from the channel’s top analysts – like Stephen A. Smith.
The ESPN+ subscription isn’t an app or a core sports channel.
It’s an additional package offering a standalone subscription for alternative sports.
The channel focuses on a different market to ESPN, covering more European, Asian, and Latin-American sports events.
ESPN+ also offers a wide variety of alternative sports content not broadcasted on the primary ESPN network.
You get ESPN+ Originals and the “30 for 30” documentary series, and access to exclusive ESPN+ PPV events.
If you purchase the ESPN+ subscription, you won’t get access to the ESPN and ESPN2 channels or live streams.
These services are only for cable subscribers in the United States.
The ESPN+ service is available as a standalone product, meaning you can purchase it without owning a cable subscription to the channel.
How Much Does ESPN+ Cost, and Where Can I Register?
As mentioned, ESPN is part of the Walt Disney Company.
Therefore, you can expect top-quality sports entertainment at a reasonable price.
It’s not surprising to see the company offer a monthly subscription to the platform for $5.99 (USD).
ESPN+ is an upgrade to the former “ESPN Insider” service, offering its subscribers exclusive access to blogs and articles for a monthly fee.
ESPN added video content to the mix, and an incredible archive of live sporting events, creating ESPN+.
Now, subscribers get access to exclusive premium content not available on the main ESPN channels.
There are documentaries, live-streaming services of events, and a stack of on-demand videos for subscribers to view.
American subscribers can access ESPN+ through their official ESPN app.
It’s available on your favorite streaming services and mobile devices.
An ESPN+ subscription costs $5.99 per month for on-demand access.
You can save $21.89 (USD) if you opt for an annual subscription at $49.99.
Since ESPN is a Disney company, you also have the option of purchasing it as part of a bundle, including Disney+ and Hulu.
It’s important to note that these special deals are only available for the American market.
ESPN+ is not available for Canadians, even though Disney offers Canadians subscriptions to other Disney brands, like Disney+.
We think that the $5.99 for the ESPN+ channel is great value for money, especially if you like watching alternative sports.
ESPN+ app also offers you the chance to give it as a gift for the holidays or as a birthday present.
The gift card sells for $49.99, providing an annual subscription to the recipient.
You save 30%, and it also gives you a workaround to the geo-blocks involved with getting your ESPN+ subscription.
Purchase your gift card online and enter the delivery date.
The system sends out an activation email to the recipient to open their account and enjoy the sports entertainment on ESPN+.
What are the Top Shows on ESPN+?
ESPN+ gives you access to world-class sporting events and live streams across a variety of sports.
While the main ESPN channel has the best coverage for NHL, MLB, NBA, and NFL – you get plenty of live games available through ESPN+ as well.
However, where ESPN+ excels is in its coverage of niche sports.
You get access to a variety of exclusive events in the following sports.
- MMA
- Boxing
- College sports
- Lacrosse
- Canadian football
- Track and field
- Soccer
- Rugby
- Cricket
- And much more
ESPN+ covers events in the NHL, MLS, and MLB.
You also get access to Top Rank Boxing, Series A Italian Football, The Emirates FA Cup, NCAA college sports, Grand Slam international Tennis, and so much more.
During the height of the pandemic in Q2 2020, most sports leagues closed worldwide.
One of the few sporting leagues to continue with closed operations was the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
CEO Dana White signed an agreement for the UFC broadcasting rights with ESPN back in 2019, and the UFC was one of the only sport broadcasting live throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
ESPN+ also has the rights to broadcast the popular UFC Fight Night events, and it has the exclusive PPV rights to cover all UFC events.
In addition, they offer a vast archive of recorded sporting events.
However, where ESPN+ excels is with the original content and shows.
The channel offers original programs, such as “The Boardroom with JD,” “Ariel & The Bad Guy,” and “NBA Rooks with Zion Williamson.”
These shows are instant classics and have large followings, showing that there’s more for sports fans outside of just watching games.
ESPN+ is a top choice for any sports enthusiast, especially if you enjoy European sports and MMA.
Will ESPN+ Ever Come to Canada?
On the 2019 earnings call, Robert Iger mentioned that the company plans to extend Disney offerings into Canada.
We saw that happen in 2020 with the launch of Disney+ to the Canadian market.
However, due to the stringent licensing agreements involved with sports events, Iger states that the company is not announcing anything in terms of new markets for the ESPN+ service yet.
Sadly, it looks like Canadians won’t have the opportunity to register for ESPN+ and enjoy the platform’s content anytime soon.
Does YouTube TV have ESPN+?
Yes, YouTube TV does have ESPN. In fact, it has all of the major networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. It also includes cable channels like ESPN, AMC, TNT, and TBS. You can watch YouTube TV on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs.
How do I get ESPN+ on my TV?
There are a few different ways to get ESPN on your TV. If you have cable TV, ESPN is likely included in your package. If you have satellite, ESPN is available as a channel add-on. And if you have antenna TV, there are a few ways to get ESPN without cable.
If you have cable, the easiest way to get ESPN is to call your provider and ask for it to be added to your package. If you have satellite, ESPN can be added as an add-on channel. The price for adding ESPN will vary depending on your provider and package.
If you have antenna TV and don’t want to subscribe to cable or satellite, there are a few ways to still watch ESPN in Canada. Some providers offer ESPN as part of their basic tier package, so check with your provider to see if it’s available.
What is the difference between ESPN and ESPN+?
The biggest difference between ESPN and ESPN is that ESPN is a cable channel while ESPN is an online sports news site, so you can watch ESPN online. Another difference is that ESPN has a variety of shows, such as SportsCenter, while ESPN only offers news stories. Additionally, ESPN is owned by Disney, while ESPN is owned by Fox. Finally, the biggest difference in terms of how the two outlets cover sports may be the fact that ESPN employs reporters who are assigned to specific teams or leagues, while ESPN relies more heavily on commentary and analysis.
Are Disney Plus and ESPN Plus the same?
Disney Plus and ESPN Plus are not the same. Disney Plus is a streaming service for movies and tv shows, while ESPN Plus is a streaming service for sports. Disney Plus costs $7 per month, while ESPN Plus costs $5 per month.
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Other Top Streaming Services
Netflix
This one doesn’t require much of an explanation. Netflix platform is spending a ton of resources on developing exclusive content and has some of the best shows and movies out right now. They have three plans in Canada: Basic, Standard, and Premium, the main difference between the plans being the number of devices that can be streaming Netflix content at the same time.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is another great alternative to Hulu. We think it has a good offering of top-quality movies, series, and TV shows, with original and licensed content. Amazon Prime offers you the service for $7.99 per month, or pay upfront for a year at CAN$79.
Disney Plus
The launch of Disney Plus saw the platform skyrocket in subscriber volumes in the first few months of its release. Disney Plus offers you top-quality entertainment from the leading Hollywood production companies. Marvel Studios and the Star Wars franchise are all onboard with Disney, and you can bet this platform will have some of the best animation and fantasy content online. Disney Plus is available for a monthly subscription cost of $8.99, or take an annual package with an $89 upfront payment.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service, owned by Google, that offers a good selection of local and international channels varying on your location. Unlike most other platforms, YouTube TV offers features such as the ability to record shows and watch them later. However, it is only available in the United States, though you can bypass this restriction by using some of the best VPN services.
Hotstar
Hotstar is the popular Indian video streaming service owned by the Star network, rebranded to Disney+ Hotstar in early 2020 after Disney took over Star India. With more than 100,000 hours of content in nine languages, they have a wide selection of content, including live cricket matches and all major sporting events. The Canadian version offers a limited selection of shows and movies, but VPNs are a great way to get around regional restrictions.
Sling TV
Sling TV is a live streaming service that provides access to select channels for a monthly fee. The service offers various packages such as ESPN, AMC, TNT, and HGTV, HBO and Cinemax. Sling TV can be watched outside of the US by using a VPN, which will allow you to stream Sling TV content without any restrictions.
Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus is a great choice for your streaming service portfolio if you’re into top-rated content. You get a range of top-rated movies and shows with the option for an ad-free viewing experience. Paramount Plus is available on Amazon Prime Canada. It’s a great way to watch movies and TV shows online, with a library of titles that includes new and classic releases. Plus, you can access Prime Video content with supported devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Peacock TV
Peacock TV is a video streaming service based in the United States, owned and operated by NBC Universal offering popular shows like 30 Rock and having exclusive access to sports coverage like Premier League soccer matches. Sadly, for now the service is only available in the US, but users outside of the US can still use a VPN to get a US IP address.
HBO Max
HBO Max have some of the best Series and movies available online such as Game of Thrones, Friends, The Big Bang Theory and many more. Unlike other streaming services, HBO Max relies on past content to attract future subscribers. Warner Bros has no plans on releasing HBO Max to Canadians, but a VPN can solve your issue.
Hulu
Hulu is available in the United States and Japan, and offers a wide selection of TV shows and movies, as well as its own original programming. Some of the top TV shows and movies offered by Hulu include The Handmaid’s Tale, Seinfeld, The Thick of It and many more. However, if you want to watch Hulu in Canada, you won’t be able to access the platform directly unless you use a VPN that works with Hulu
