There is a HUGE disadvantage to using ESPN+ over the previous MLS app and that is that it is VERY tedious to find MLS replays in the ESPN) app because there is a lot of other content in the same view that you cannot avoid or filter. Of course the same thing can be said to the other sports/leagues. The only league that has its own replay row is the NHL. I also do not currently see any way to view older replays. Along with that the FF/RW is clumsy at best and it is quite hard to be precise when FF through a gap like halftime. Basically the app on both the Fire TV and the Shield TV is one step, but it is an important step, above junk. I just hope two things happen: 1. They quickly update the app to improve things. 2. When ESPN+ gets added to the Roku they keep the current Roku apps functionality as the Roku is MUCH better to use for regular ESPN content now and, hopefully, it will not be ruined by the addition of ESPN+.
Inside the ESPN app Settings there's a ESPN+ Subscription Support option. Its got phone, email, chat, and web links. The phone number is 800-727-1800. Looks like my issue is fixed this morning as I can now access ESPN+ through the website. Just happy it got fixed by Thursday afternoon so I can cast the Blackburn game from my laptop to my TV.
I seriously doubt it was my PC since I've been streaming stuff from all over the planet--Amazon, Netflix, MLS Live, YouTube, etc. I think it's more a technical issue with ESPN, kinds like they're still working out some issues. Seems to be better now.
Refresh my memory. On MLS Live, were local broadcasts that were blacked out live made available for viewing immediately once the match was over? I can't access Red Bull and NYCFC replays on ESPN+, getting a blackout message instead.
I think I remember a couple days before the matches were available. I could be remembering incorrectly and thinking of national broadcasts though.
Any local blackout or national blackout was, usually, available two days after the match ended. There were times that the match did not become available for 3 or 4 days and once I remember a match was unavailable for over a week. I think I read somewhere that the Fox matches will be handled differently for availability on ESPN+ but I cannot remember the details or find where I read it at this time.
FYI if anyone has had issues on Android, the devs are aware of a bug causing an authentication error over mobile data. It works just fine over WiFi, however. Very bizarre bug. Hopefully they get it fixed by the time MLS LIVE is no longer available elsewhere.
So I have the older Apple TV, not the newer model. I see the old “Watch EPSN” app on it, but do not see the new ESPN app that includes ESPN+. Does that mean I need to purchase a new Apple TV 4K if I want to use it to watch ESPN+. Anyone know?
I believe that is the case. I have an Apple TV 2 and from what I read it needs to be newer to get ESPN+.
As an aside... DirecTV Now is running a promotion where you get a free Apple TV if you purchase 3 months of service. I believe it applies to the $35/month package, so you could get a new Apple TV for $105 instead of the list price of $179.
If you have an iPhone or iPad you can AirPlay to your Apple TV. I have the older Apple TV in my bedroom and use AirPlay.
Was still able to watch all of the matches on MLS Live. I’m guessing they may have done this in case there were issues with ESPN+? Again, MLS Live is still listed for all matches next weekend.
Good news for some! The ESPN app just updated on my Roku and ESPN+ is now available. The best news is that FF/RW and the right and left arrows work as expected and the picture quality seems very good. The app even seems a little snappier but that may be more subjective than anything else. There dose not seem to be a way to access matches before last weeks but that may be due to the transition and there may be archived matches available in the future. For those that care the NHL Stanley Cup games are available on a next day basis in the ESPN+ app. That is good for me as I rarely have time to watch NHL games live at night. The same goes for MLS matches. Edit: At this point the only MLS match replays I see are Earthquakes vs Dynamo and Timbers vs Minnesota. All the other MLS match replays from last week are nowhere to be found but it looks like every NLH playoff match is available. The NHL replays have a separate row while the MLS replays are lumped in with everything else. The MLS seems to get no love from this app at this point. Edit 2: There is a separate row for upcoming MLS live matches (up to 04/29) so there may be hope for MLS replays getting one in the future. Edit 3: I found the rest of the replays under the regular part of the ESPN app under the MLS section so I am quite a bit relieved. It works quite well and all is VERY good.
Currently I can't link my account to my Roku app. Everytime I go to that screen in settings the Roku acts like I pushed the OK button after displaying the code for a second. Even if I remember the code and type it in it doesn't update as authenticated. I think the ESPN+ programmers have introduced another but on certain Roku models, much like they did with the iOS products. (It really steams me to deal with this crappy rollout as an unemployed QA engineer)
Which Roku do you have? Some Rokus have problems with the latest apps. I have a Roku Ultra and a Roku 3 and ESPN works fin on both. A couple of things to try: 1. Remove the ESPN app. Reboot the Roku. This is needed as it clears the memory that Roku sets aside for app info. Re-install the app. 2. If you have an SD card installed, remove it. The SD card is only used for storing the apps when they are not running to allow for faster loading of lesser used apps. The card has no use other than that. It is not used for streaming, caching or anything else. I never install one as it has been reported by many on the Roku boards that they sometimes cause weird problems. Also there have been reports of too many apps causing problems with apps that are built using the new Roku programming tools and the new ESPN app is built using those tools. If you have more than 25-30 apps installed you might want to try reducing that number. I have a LOT of experience with Rokus so I will be happy to try to help you resolve this.
Premier+ so no SD card. I did do the uninstall and reinstall to get the new version of the app but without the reboot in-between. Doing a quick Google I see I'm not the only one with the issue. I've got about 20 apps installed so I should be OK there. EDIT: Just went and tried again. Something changed in the last 2 hours as now the code stays on the screen and I was able to link my account. And I can watch this weekend's EFL games too. Man, this is going to be dangerous come fall, especially is Blackburn gets back to the Championship.
Without the reboot you did not clear out the memory so that "could" a problem. The Premier+ is one of the better Rokus. I do not remember if the + has a wired Ethernet connection but if it does and you are using it wireless you might want to try wired. Rokus are notorious for having weird flaky problems when connected wirelessly. You might want to ask about this over on the Roku forums: https://forums.roku.com/viewforum.php?f=28 Be aware that Roku does not write the apps. ESPN wrote or commissioned the writing of the app BUT contacting ESPN, which is really the best course, is problematic at best and often if you get Roku's attention the have better routes to the apps developer. All my Rokus are connected wired and that may be one reason my Roku work so well. Edit: I just checked on my bedroom Roku 3, which I had not activated before, and it activated just fine. I think the Roku 3 is quite close to the Roku Premier. That Roku 3 is also connected wired. Edit 2: One more thing: You might want to simply try to start an ESPN+ video rather than any other form of activating. It will take you to the activation screen that way as well as any other method and it might work better that way. Of course if that is what you have tried before then ignore what was just said.