Sunday's U.S. vs Portugal World Cup match to stream live on Apple TV via WatchESPN

AppleInsider · June 20, 2014 4:05PM

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, 2014

Outside 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 RT? app and a variety of other regional providers with FIFA World Cup broadcast rights.

rogifan · June 20, 2014 4:07PM

Is this something unique to Apple TV? Or can anyone with access to Watch ESPN app see it?

macpro · June 20, 2014 4:38PM

rogifan wrote: »

Is this something unique to Apple TV? Or can anyone with access to Watch ESPN app see it?

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.

sandor · June 20, 2014 5:05PM

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.

rogifan · June 20, 2014 5:21PM

digitalclips wrote: »

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.

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!

ultimatist · June 20, 2014 5:52PM

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.

dasanman69 · June 20, 2014 6:01PM

rogifan wrote: »

Is this something unique to Apple TV? Or can anyone with access to Watch ESPN app see it?

I've watched quite a few of the games on the Watch ESPN app on my phone.

rgh71 · June 20, 2014 10:41PM

This app in appletv doesn't help me watch ESPN w/o my cable sub so who cares? Harder than turning on my twc dvr.

cpsro · June 21, 2014 12:56AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandor

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

That app does work well! (I couldn't care less about the WC but don't mind sticking it to ESPN or any other broadcaster who requires a TV subscription to access Internet streaming.)

richl · June 21, 2014 3:37AM

Good luck USA. Portugal are nothing special without Ronaldo.

singularity · June 21, 2014 6:00AM

richl wrote: »

<p>Good luck USA. Portugal are nothing special without Ronaldo.</p>

it will be a hard game but I'd still see Portugal winning

d dante lorenso · June 21, 2014 7:09PM

Does anyone else see how ridiculous this announcement is? "American cable subscribers ... can access" ... if I have CABLE, why do I care about Apple TV! It's the people that DO NOT have cable that would want this ... and still it's not available. Great! Free Chicken for Vegans only!

pazuzu · June 21, 2014 8:40PM

Why in the heal would I watch it via my Apple TV if I already have it on my cable box and need a cable subscription in order to watch it? I would only watch it on my primary TV not a bedroom TV as it starts at 6.. Can anybody explain why this merits a thread?

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mpantone · June 21, 2014 11:41PM

I do not subscribe to television service from my broadband Internet provider (DSL from AT&T), yet I can view World Cup games via WatchESPN apps as well as through a web browser.

Note that the game is broadcast live, so if it is 6pm in your area (Eastern Time Zone), it might be 3pm somewhere else (Pacific Time Zone). Note that different individuals might be using the primary household television at any given time, so the ability to watch different content in an alternate location might be quite important.

You need to learn that your own personal usage case is not the only exclusive viewing scenario on the planet.

as rinku · June 22, 2014 5:57AM

usa vs portugal live stream

Sunday's U.S. vs Portugal World Cup match to stream live on Apple TV via WatchESPN

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