Sports fans on YouTube TV can finally stop bouncing between apps. Starting today, ESPN Unlimited is fully built into YouTube TV, meaning you no longer need to open a separate ESPN app to catch everything it offers. This caps off a rollout that started back in August, when access first landed but still required switching over to watch.
Everything ESPN Unlimited brings to YouTube TV
Anyone on the main YouTube TV plan, or any plan that includes Sports, gets this automatically. That unlocks live coverage of the US Open, college football, PGA Tour golf, WWE Premium Live Events, LaLiga, and out of market NHL games, plus ESPN Originals, Films, and the full 30 for 30 documentary library.
The linear ESPN and ESPN2 channels come alongside ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, and ACC Network. All of this now works with YouTube TV’s existing tools, including unlimited DVR, live scores and stats, and multiview.
The live guide got an update as well, now showing three dedicated rows for currently airing ESPN Unlimited events and a separate network row for easier browsing. Games with multiple broadcast options let you pick between different languages, home and away feeds, or alternate camera angles.
Why this integration is also a win for your wallet
Back in November, a two-week blackout knocked ESPN and every other Disney channel off YouTube TV entirely, and this integration is part of what came out of the deal that ended it.
The timing works out nicely too. Disney is bumping ESPN Unlimited’s standalone price from $29.99 to $31.99 a month starting September 17, but if you’re already a YouTube TV subscriber with ESPN’s linear channels, you can save some money.
There’s also a nice bonus buried in here for fantasy football players. YouTube TV’s Fantasy View now works with ESPN Fantasy Football, so you can link your account and watch your team’s live stats update in real time while the game plays. With the NFL season right around the corner, that’s one less tab you’ll need open during matches.
