A How-To Guide for Catching the Cardinals on ESPN+ This Year

August 27, 2018 | Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Volleyball, Soccer

MAC agreement now includes games on new subscription-based streaming service

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Thursday's Ball State football opener against Central Connecticut State will be the Cardinals' first contest of the year to appear on the subscription-based ESPN+.

As part of the Mid-American Conference's rights deal with ESPN, a portion of the league's games will now air via the new streaming service. Select Ball State events across various sports will be available throughout the year on ESPN+, a platform separate from ESPN3 and not included in cable subscription packages.

Ball State has two football games guaranteed to be on ESPN+ (Oct. 20 vs. Eastern Michigan is the other), and more could be added throughout the year as television schedules are determined. Ten remaining BSU women's volleyball matches are slated to appear on ESPN+ this fall, along with select soccer and field hockey games. Various MAC men's and women's basketball games will also air on the platform this winter.

Additional contests will continue to air on ESPN3. For complete up-to-date information on where to find each game, visit the individual sport schedule pages on ballstatesports.com.

ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company's Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN's linear TV or digital networks.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for $4.99 per month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App or ESPN.com. ESPN's "TV Everywhere" streaming of its television networks and ESPN3 is also accessible via the ESPN App and ESPN.com for fans with a pay TV subscription. (An ESPN+ subscription does not grant access to ESPN3 for those who do not already have access to it.)

Here is everything you need to know about the ESPN+ service …

What is ESPN+?
It is a direct-to-consumer (no cable or satellite subscription needed) streaming service that will cost $4.99 per month. As part of the launch ESPN+ was integrated as part of a completely redesigned ESPN App (and also via ESPN.com). Subscribers will receive thousands of additional live events, and original shows and films, and an on-demand library, which is not available on ESPN's linear TV or digital networks. ESPN+ will not include access to stream ESPN's existing, linear networks (which will continue to be available via "TV Everywhere" authenticated streaming).

How much does ESPN+ cost?
ESPN+ costs $4.99 a month ($49.99, if you pay annually). There is a 7-day free trial available, too.

Does each event on ESPN+ cost $4.99?
No. The $4.99 a month covers all MAC events and events from other college and pro sports.

If I have ESPN3, do I automatically get ESPN+?
No. A subscription is required to watch the ESPN+ content.

Will fans have the option for a "Ball State-only or MAC-only" subscription?
No. For the $4.99 subscription price, fans will get access to MAC content and thousands of other events, plus original shows, series and an unmatched library of on-demand sports content.

Do I have to pay for the ESPN App?
The ESPN App is still free, and you still get all the same news, info, highlights and audio as always – with a new, enhanced design. Users can still stream ESPN networks with a pay TV subscription, for no additional cost. Users also have a new option to subscribe directly to ESPN+ — which contains 1000's of additional live events, on demand content and shows — not available on ESPN's traditional TV networks.

How do I subscribe to ESPN+ and where can I watch it?
A subscription to ESPN+ is available for purchase via the ESPN App and ESPN.com, and fans can only access ESPN+ content after they have subscribed.

What are the ESPN+ supported devices?
A subscriber can watch ESPN+ in the Watch tab of the latest version of the ESPN App, available on the web, iPhone, iPad, tvOS, Android Handset, Roku, Chromecast and FireTV.

How do I log in?
Log in using your current ESPN account, or, on desktop, create a new account via the user icon, or, on mobile, upon arrival to the ESPN App. You will be prompted to log in or create a new account when purchasing a subscription.

How do I change my ESPN.com credentials (username/password)?
Change credentials on ESPN.com by accessing the user avatar in the upper right corner of the web site after signing in.

How do I allow another one of my devices to access ESPN+?
To allow another of your devices to access ESPN+, sign in on that device with your ESPN.com account username and password. If you have purchased ESPN+ via in-app purchasing on Apple, Google or Amazon devices, you will need to first link your ESPN+ purchase to your ESPN.com account in the ESPN App before you can access ESPN+ on other devices platforms. You can create an ESPN.com account for free by clicking on the login link on ESPN.com.

What quality are ESPN+ streams?
ESPN+ video streams in high definition at 60 frames per second.

Can I watch multiple ESPN+ streams?
Yes, you can access five streams from ESPN+ at any one time. Plus, as a subscriber, you can pause, rewind, or restart anything you're watching live through ESPN+.

Can I cast ESPN+ content?
Yes, you can cast ESPN+ content from your mobile device to your TV set (note: not all set top TV devices have the ability to cast). However, ESPN+ content is intended only for personal non-commercial use. Please see the restrictions in the ESPN+ Subscriber Agreement for more information.

Where is ESPN+ available?
ESPN+ is currently only available in the US.

How much of the content will be on ESPN+ vs Linear vs ESPN3? What factors will dictate ESPN+ vs linear vs ESPN3?
The Mid-American Conference will continue to have a linear presence that will include midweek games and the football and basketball championships. The majority of the remaining games will be on ESPN3 and ESPN+. Specific programming decisions will be fluid from year to year.

What additional content will be available via ESPN+?
Thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN's linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, college sports, boxing, golf, tennis, international rugby, cricket, the entire library of award-winning 30 for 30 documentaries and much more.

Will all games now be on ESPN+?
No, our television partners will decide which games will be on ESPN3 and which ones will be on ESPN+ no later than 12 days before each football game. This is also when kickoff times will be set and announced. The networks have 12 days before game day to look at all available contests and decide which games go into which slots and on which networks. After all games are selected and slotted, the remaining games are then announced. This is why kickoff times are not announced in the summer anymore. Other sports will be determined as their respective seasons go along, as well.

ESPN+ Fall Streaming Schedule for Ball State (as of Aug. 27, 2018)
Aug. 30 -- Football vs. Central Connecticut State
Sept. 1 -- Women's Volleyball at Missouri State
Sept. 7 -- Women's Volleyball vs. North Dakota State
Sept. 8 -- Women's Volleyball vs Indiana
Sept. 11 -- Women's Volleyball vs. IUPUI
Sept. 23 -- Soccer vs. Bowling Green
Sept. 28 -- Women's Volleyball vs. Eastern Michigan
Oct. 3 -- Field Hockey vs. Louisville
Oct. 4 -- Women's Volleyball Women's Volleyball vs. Toledo
Oct. 12 -- Women's Volleyball vs. Ohio
Oct. 20 – Football vs. Eastern Michigan
Oct. 27 -- Field Hockey vs. Longwood
Nov. 2 -- Women's Volleyball at Central Michigan
Nov. 9 -- Women's Volleyball at Toledo
Nov. 10 -- Women's Volleyball vs. Akron

NOTE: The Nov. 20 football game at Miami will air on ESPN+ if not selected for television on ESPNU.

Fans who have any questions about the new ESPN App or ESPN+, may contact ESPN customer care:
· Online: support.espn.com
· Phone: 1.888.549.ESPN
· ESPN App: Live Chat Feature
· ESPN Customer Support Available: 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET, 7 days a week