USL changing live streaming services to new ESPN+ subscription service
If you are a fan of Phoenix Rising FC and watch your matches live on the internet, Wednesday’s match at LA Galaxy II will be the final time to watch a match for free.
The USL announced on Friday the league is switching its live streaming services from YouTube to the new subscription-based ESPN+ service in the extension of the league’s broadcast agreement through the 2019 season.
Beginning April 12, all of the league’s matches will be available on ESPN+, a new direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company Direct-to-Consumer and International group in partnership with ESPN. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time. Prior to the launch of ESPN+ on April 12, all USL regular season contests will be available through the league’s YouTube channel.
Fans will still be able to follow their home team through local broadcast partnerships as part of the USL Television Network. So locally, fans who have Cox cable will still be able to watch the team’s matches On YurView Channel 4 and 1004 in Phoenix and Channel 7 and 1007 in Tucson as long as the match is not part of the Game of the Week on ESPN3.
Also, the league will continue with its Game of the Week on ESPN3 (cable or satellite subscription needed), and the league will have six regular season games and the USL Cup shown on ESPN networks.
“We are thrilled to expand our valued relationship with ESPN through the 2019 season,” USL Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis said in a release. “Our collaboration has grown organically over the last few years, as we’ve worked closely to continually enhance our broadcasts. In addition, our investments into USL Productions and partnership with VISTA Worldlink – now in its second season and under the visionary guidance of industry veteran Michael Cohen – has built the league into a premier television sports property which delivers engaging, exciting and unique content for fans all season long. Our clubs and players will benefit from the significantly increased exposure across ESPN’s linear networks, ESPN3, and our presence on ESPN+ alongside Major League Soccer, the English Football League and UEFA Nations League, and other top international soccer leagues and tournaments.”
For fans that do not want to pay for the new streaming service, Full replays of USL matches will be available on the USL’s YouTube channel and in the USL Match Center seven days after the completion of the game.