How To Get ESPN Plus on Smart TV | Easy TV App Setup

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To get ESPN Plus on a smart TV, install the ESPN app, sign in with your ESPN account, then select ESPN+ and confirm your subscription.

Quick Steps To Get ESPN Plus On Any Smart TV

Many smart TVs can stream ESPN Plus within a few minutes. The pattern is the same on nearly every brand, even though menu names vary a little.

  1. Check your subscription status — Make sure you already have an active ESPN+ plan or a bundle that includes it, or be ready to start one in the app.
  2. Confirm TV compatibility — Look for the ESPN or ESPN+ app in your TV app store to see whether the TV can run the service directly.
  3. Install the ESPN app — Open the app store on your smart TV, search for ESPN, then download and install the app.
  4. Open the app and head to settings — Launch the app, move to the profile or settings icon, then open the account or subscriptions section.
  5. Sign in or create an ESPN account — Enter the email and password you use for ESPN+, or create a new account if this is your first time.
  6. Choose ESPN+ — In the subscriptions menu, select ESPN+ and log in or start a plan when prompted.
  7. Activate on the web if asked — When the TV shows an activation code, visit the ESPN activation page on your phone or laptop, enter the code, and sign in.
  8. Return to the ESPN app home screen — Once activation finishes, pick the ESPN+ row or tab, then start any live event or on-demand program to confirm everything works.

Check If Your Smart TV Works With ESPN Plus

Before you spend time tweaking accounts, check whether your smart TV can run the ESPN app in the first place. Many newer models can handle ESPN Plus directly, while some older sets need a separate streaming device.

The easiest way is to open the app store on the TV and search for ESPN. If you see an ESPN app listed under sports or entertainment, the TV can usually stream ESPN+ once you sign in with the right account.

ESPN lists compatible devices on its own help pages, including Android TV models, Samsung Tizen sets, LG webOS TVs, Vizio SmartCast screens, and several cable-box style platforms such as Xfinity Flex and Cox Contour TV. You can confirm your model category on ESPN’s app information page for extra certainty.

Smart TV Platforms That Commonly Run ESPN Plus

This table gives a quick view of where you usually find the ESPN app on different smart TV families.

TV Platform Where To Find ESPN App Extra Notes
Samsung Tizen TV Samsung Apps or Apps button on Home screen Most models from 2016 or newer include the app store with ESPN.
LG webOS TV LG Content Store Look under Sports or use the search field for ESPN.
Android TV / Google TV Google Play Store on the TV Search for ESPN, then sign in with your ESPN account or bundle login.
Roku TV Streaming Channels store Add the ESPN channel, then open the ESPN+ tab inside the app.
Fire TV Edition Amazon Appstore on the TV Use the search icon on the Home screen and type ESPN.
Vizio SmartCast Preinstalled apps or the Home row Some models have ESPN already; others cast ESPN+ from a phone or tablet.

Install The ESPN App On Popular Smart TV Brands

The exact steps for getting ESPN Plus on a smart TV change slightly by brand, but the pattern stays familiar: open the app store, add ESPN, then sign in.

Samsung Smart TV (Tizen)

  1. Press the Home button — Open the main Smart Hub panel on your Samsung TV.
  2. Open the Apps section — Move along the bottom row until you reach Apps, then select it.
  3. Search for ESPN — Use the magnifying glass icon, type “ESPN,” and pick the ESPN tile from the results.
  4. Download and install — Choose Install, then wait for the ESPN app to finish loading.
  5. Launch ESPN and sign in — Open the app, go to the profile icon, then log in or follow the on-screen prompt to start ESPN+.

LG Smart TV (webOS)

  1. Press the Home button on the remote — Bring up the launcher bar along the bottom of the screen.
  2. Open the LG Content Store — Select the shopping bag icon labeled Content Store.
  3. Search for ESPN — Move to the search field, type “ESPN,” then select the ESPN app card.
  4. Install the app — Choose Install, let the process finish, then return to the launcher bar.
  5. Start ESPN and link ESPN+ — Open ESPN, head to Settings or Account, then sign in and confirm your ESPN+ plan.

Android TV And Google TV Sets

  1. Go to the apps or Play Store icon — Open the Google Play Store on the TV.
  2. Search for ESPN — Use the text or voice search field, then pick ESPN from the results.
  3. Install the ESPN app — Select Install and wait until the button changes to Open.
  4. Open ESPN from the apps row — Launch the app and move to the settings or account area.
  5. Log in to your ESPN account — Enter your email and password, then choose ESPN+ from the subscriptions page.

Roku TV Models

  1. Press Home on the Roku remote — Stay on the grid of tiles for installed channels.
  2. Open Streaming Channels — Scroll down the left sidebar and pick Streaming Channels.
  3. Find the ESPN channel — Go to Sports or use Search Channels, then add ESPN.
  4. Launch ESPN and pick ESPN+ — From the ESPN channel, move to the ESPN+ tab along the top.
  5. Sign in or start a plan — Follow on-screen steps to sign in with your ESPN account or purchase ESPN+ through Roku billing.

Amazon Fire TV Edition Sets

  1. Use the Home button — Stay on the main Fire TV Home screen.
  2. Open the Appstore — Select the Apps icon or the shopping cart symbol.
  3. Search for ESPN — Type ESPN using the on-screen keyboard, then pick the correct app card.
  4. Get and open the app — Select Get or Download, then open ESPN once it installs.
  5. Link your ESPN+ subscription — From Settings or Subscriptions inside ESPN, sign in to your account and turn on ESPN+ access.

Vizio SmartCast TVs

  1. Check the Home row for ESPN — Many newer Vizio sets list ESPN in the main line of apps.
  2. Open ESPN from the list — Move to the ESPN tile, then press OK on the remote.
  3. Cast from a phone if needed — If the app is missing, install ESPN on your phone and cast ESPN+ to the TV using Chromecast or AirPlay features.
  4. Sign in inside the app — Whether you launch ESPN on the TV or cast from another device, make sure you sign in with the same ESPN+ account.

Sign In Or Subscribe To ESPN Plus On Your TV

Once the ESPN app is installed on your smart TV, the next step is linking your ESPN+ plan or starting one. The screens look slightly different by platform, but the flow stays pretty consistent.

Sign In With An Existing ESPN Plus Account

  1. Open the ESPN app on the TV — Launch the app from the Home screen or apps list.
  2. Move to Settings or the profile icon — Look for a gear icon or silhouette in the top corner.
  3. Choose Account Information or Login — Pick the entry where you manage your ESPN account.
  4. Note the activation code if one appears — Many TVs show a short code with a web link.
  5. Visit the activation website on another device — On your phone or laptop, go to the same link shown on the TV, such as the ESPN activation page.
  6. Enter the code and sign in — Type the TV code, log in with your ESPN email and password, then confirm.
  7. Return to the TV — After a few seconds, the TV should refresh and show the ESPN+ row or tab.

Start A New ESPN Plus Subscription

Many viewers sign up for ESPN+ through bundles such as Disney+ with ESPN access or via the ESPN app itself. The safest place to review plan details and billing is ESPN’s own account pages, which explain how to change, pause, or cancel a plan when needed.

  1. Install ESPN on a phone or web browser — Having access on a second device simplifies account setup.
  2. Visit the ESPN offers page — Go to the current subscription or bundle page from ESPN or Disney and pick the option that fits your viewing habits.
  3. Create or log in to an ESPN account — Use an email you check often and set a strong password.
  4. Confirm payment details — Add a card or choose the billing method available in your region.
  5. Open the ESPN app on your smart TV — Sign in with the same email and password you just used.
  6. Verify that ESPN+ content is available — Look for an ESPN+ label under live events and on-demand shows.

Use A Streaming Device When Your TV Lacks ESPN Plus

Some smart TVs never received the ESPN app, usually because the model is older or the maker uses a pretty limited app store. You can still watch ESPN+ on that screen by adding a small streaming device.

Devices such as Roku players, Amazon Fire TV sticks, Apple TV boxes, and Chromecast with Google TV plug into an HDMI port and usually include the ESPN app in their app stores. Setup takes a bit of time once, then the TV behaves like any modern streaming set.

Pick And Connect A Streaming Device

  1. Choose a device that fits your budget — Roku and Fire TV sticks often cost less, while Apple TV and high-end Android TV boxes add extra features.
  2. Plug the device into an HDMI port — Use the supplied cable or built-in connector, then tighten any loose fit.
  3. Connect to power — Some sticks use a USB port; others use an included power adapter.
  4. Switch the TV input — Use the Input or Source button until you see the new device’s setup screen.

Install ESPN Plus On The Streaming Device

  1. Finish the device’s first-time setup — Connect to Wi-Fi, log in to the device account, and install any firmware updates.
  2. Open the built-in app store — Use the Apps, Channel Store, or Play Store icon.
  3. Add the ESPN app — Search for ESPN, add the app or channel, then return to the Home screen.
  4. Open ESPN and link ESPN+ — Follow the same sign-in or activation steps that you would on a native smart TV.

Fix Common ESPN Plus Smart TV Problems

Even after ESPN+ reaches your smart TV, small glitches can block streams. Most problems fall into a few simple categories: app issues, account issues, or network limitations.

When The ESPN App Is Missing

  • Check the TV’s release year — Many ESPN-ready Samsung and LG models start around 2016 or newer. Older sets might not include the app store version you need.
  • Search under Sports or Entertainment — On some TVs, ESPN sits in a sports category instead of the main featured rows.
  • Restart the TV and check again — A full power cycle can refresh the app catalog, especially after a recent system update.
  • Think about a streaming stick — When the app never appears, using Roku, Fire TV, or a similar device is usually the most reliable path to ESPN+.

When You Cannot Sign In Or Stay Signed In

  • Confirm your email and password on another device — Log in to the ESPN website or mobile app to verify the credentials still work.
  • Reset the password from a phone or laptop — Use the Forgot Password option on the ESPN sign-in page, then try again on the TV.
  • Clear or reinstall the ESPN app — Many smart TVs let you remove the app, restart the TV, then install a clean copy from the app store.
  • Check for plan changes — If billing failed or a bundle changed, some ESPN+ content may lock until the plan is renewed.

When Streams Buffer Or Look Blurry

  • Test your internet speed — Use a phone or laptop on the same Wi-Fi to make sure the connection has enough bandwidth for HD streaming.
  • Move the router closer to the TV — Long distances, walls, and interference can degrade Wi-Fi, especially on older routers.
  • Use a wired Ethernet connection — Some smart TVs and streaming boxes include an Ethernet port that removes Wi-Fi issues entirely.
  • Close other heavy streams — Pause 4K video or large downloads running on other devices when you want smoother ESPN+ playback.

When ESPN Plus Content Still Will Not Play

  • Check blackout notes — Some events are limited by league and region, so an event tile may appear but remain unavailable in your area.
  • Verify the correct profile or account — Make sure the ESPN app on your TV uses the same login that pays for ESPN+ or a bundle with ESPN access.
  • Update your TV firmware — Open the TV’s settings, check for updates, and install any new version offered.
  • Try another device as a comparison — If ESPN+ works on a phone or tablet but not the TV, the issue likely sits with the TV app or system.

Smart Checklist Before You Start Streaming

Setting up ESPN Plus on a smart TV feels much easier once you break it into steps. First make sure your TV can install the ESPN app. Then connect the app to a working ESPN+ plan, either directly on the TV or through an activation code on the web. If the app never appears or streams remain unstable, a small streaming stick or a quick network check usually gets sports back on the big screen.