YouTube TV has live ESPN channels included. Regular free YouTube does not. YouTube TV is a paid television channel streaming service while standard YouTube is free. YouTube TV can replace cable TV by offering 100+ channels, including all the major networks plus ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN U, and ESPNEWS.

The basic subscription for YouTube TV is $72.99 per month and includes ads. The content gets delivered digitally via either your internet browser or via the YouTube TV app. You can download the YouTube TV app on your Android or iOS phone, tablet, or computer; on your smart TV; or on your Firestick, Roku or other major streaming device.

You can try YouTube TV for free for up to one week before you’d have to cancel or be automatically enrolled in a basic subscription. The trial period gives you ample opportunity to watch the live ESPN channels and about 100 others before the basic subscription of $72.99/mo. kicks in. YouTube sometimes offers a discount for the first three months of $64.99 and then it goes up to $72.99 thereafter. All you need is at least one streaming device (phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV) you can watch ESPN channels on YouTube TV. There are no contracts so you can cancel any time you want 24/7.

You can watch YouTube TV on up to three devices at once. You can even share your YouTube TV account with five other people for a total of 6 accounts per household. Like other streaming services YouTube TV offers upgrade packages. For example, if you pay another $19.99/mo. for the 4K Plus plan you can stream unlimited and download content from YouTube TV to watch offline through the YouTube TV app. But you won’t need an upgrade to watch ESPN Live channels.

YouTube TV lets you watch at two different homes but make sure you log in at least once every couple of months from your original home location to keep your access to those local networks intact. If you move to a new area, you can change your home address in the app by going to your Profile photo, Location, Current Playback Area, then Update.

What about ESPN+? That’s different. ESPN+ is a paid streaming service that delivers ESPN content exclusively. Whereas YouTube TV is a cable TV replacement option, ESPN+ is a single-focus provider. You would pay a separate subscription fee for ESPN+ but for that investment you get unique content above and beyond ESPN or ESPN2. For example, extensive live game coverage for niche sports like rugby union, cricket and many others; on-demand shows and documentaries from the sports library, and exclusive news.

It costs $9.99/mo. or $99.99 for the year. Disney, ESPN and Hulu are all owned by Disney so you can get a Disney+ Trio Bundle with ESPN+, Hulu (selected channels) and Disney+ without ads for about $19.99/mo.

Going with YouTube TV gives you more diversity including all the live ESPN channels. But if your target is exclusively ESPN content then the ESPN+ app subscription, or a Disney+ Trio Bundle, is a great way to go.