Daniel Eran Dilger
Thanks to Apple's partnership with ESPN, American cable subscribers with Apple TV can access streaming coverage, highlights and additional content for all 64 FIFA World Cup matches, including this weekend's game between the U.S. and Portugal.
Live coverage of every World Cup game through July 13 broadcast by ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ABC are available via Apple TV's WatchESPN channel in the United States to subscribers of most cable networks, including AT&T U-verse, Bright House Networks, Charter, Comcast XFINITY, Cox, DISH, Google Fiber, Midcontinent Communications, Optimum, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon FiOS TV.
In addition to live streams of each match, Apple TV's WatchESPN section provides access to replays, highlights archives and footage from the tactical cam, providing an overhead viewing perspective.
Apple TV added its WatchESPN channel last June, providing live sports content from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, and ESPN Buzzer Beater/Goal Line to those who already receive ESPN's networks as part of their subscription through affiliated providers.
WatchESPN also includes college football and basketball games, NBA playoffs, the Masters and more, with access to ESPN's massive library of archived games and original shows like E:60, Outside the Lines, SC Featured, Sports Science and others.
Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, noted last summer that "HBO GO and WatchESPN are some of the most popular iOS apps and are sure to be huge hits on Apple TV," adding, "We continue to offer Apple TV users great new programming options, combined with access to all of the incredible content they can purchase from the iTunes Store."
@DanielEran saw your article on AI about USA World Cup match on AppleTV. I wrote a guide to WatchESPN hidden features http://t.co/BgHEaY0USI
— Dave Aiello (@daveaiello) June 21, 2014Outside of the U.S., viewers can access World Cup games via native iOS apps and push the content to Apple TV via AirPlay. This is supported by Univision's native app in Spanish; by BBC iPlayer and iTV apps for UK viewers; Australia's SBS app, Canada's CBC app, Ireland's RTÉ app and a variety of other regional providers with FIFA World Cup broadcast rights.
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65 Comments
Is this something unique to Apple TV? Or can anyone with access to Watch ESPN app see it?
[quote name="Rogifan" url="/t/180834/sundays-u-s-vs-portugal-world-cup-match-to-stream-live-on-apple-tv-via-watchespn#post_2553437"]Is this something unique to Apple TV? Or can anyone with access to Watch ESPN app see it?[/quote] The ESPN app only works if you are paying for HD from one of the cable providers, the ESPN app asks for your user name and password for that, e.g. Comcast Xfinity or Verizon Fios etc. I am assuming this Apple TV access is going to work without any such thing. The way it should be! If it still asks for the user name and password then I am disappointed. One day we will break free from the cable companies! Meanwhile Netflix Rules.
Or, you can download the Univision app and watch all the games (and highlight reels) for free. If your internet connection can handle it, Airplay to your AppleTV & it will be in HD-ish. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/univision-deportes/id353665650?mt=8 gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaal! NBC/Univision are a godsend, as the only terrestrial broadcaster of the World Cup in its entirety in the US of A. The rest of the world enjoys broadcast TV coverage, we get Disney trying to lock it down (95% or so) to cable subscribers only.
[quote name="digitalclips" url="/t/180834/sundays-u-s-vs-portugal-world-cup-match-to-stream-live-on-apple-tv-via-watchespn#post_2553458"] The ESPN app only works if you are paying for HD from one of the cable providers, the ESPN app asks for your user name and password for that, e.g. Comcast Xfinity or Verizon Fios etc. I am assuming this Apple TV access is going to work without any such thing. The way it should be! If it still asks for the user name and password then I am disappointed. One day we will break free from the cable companies! Meanwhile Netflix Rules.[/quote] That's what I was wondering, I know WatchESPN isn't unique to Apple TV. And yes I wish you didn't need a cable subscription. Same for HBO Go!
You can watch every game live on ESPN3. I just watched yesterday on my laptop (with no cable subscription), and on my friend's roku today (with no cable subscription). Univision is better if you understand Spanish/don't care about commentary. Thumbs up if this post changed your life.