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Looking to watch a live stream of the 2017 Rogers Cup? There are a couple of different options, even if you don’t have a cable subscription.
In the United States, television coverage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be split between the Tennis Channel and ESPN 2. You can click here for the complete schedule.
While viewers who can sign in to a TV or cable provider can watch coverage on WatchESPN or Tennis Channel Everywhere, cord-cutters who have gotten rid of cable can watch a live stream of both of these channels via an over-the-top streaming service.
If you want a streaming service that includes both of the aforementioned channels, DirecTV Now is your only option. If you just want to watch the ESPN 2 coverage, Sling TV features the cheapest price point, while PlayStation Vue has some other pros and cons. All of these services have free trials, so you can test them out at no cost.
Here’s a complete rundown of what these services provide, and how to sign up to start watching the 2017 Canadian Open:
Watch Both Tennis Channel & ESPN 2: DirecTV Now
DirecTV Now is currently the only streaming service that includes Tennis Channel, which is included in the company’s “Just Right” bundle at $50 per month.
The price point is a little steep, but it includes a channel package that is larger than that of every competitor, it’s the only way to watch the Tennis Channel without cable, and they are offering a Roku Premiere Streaming Media Player ($69.95 value) if you prepay two months.
The biggest drawback right now is the lack of a DVR, but that is on its way, so there’s a lot to like here.
Here’s a complete rundown of DirecTV Now’s “Just Right” bundle:
Total Channels Included: 80-plus, depending on local channels available. You can find the complete channel list right here
Price: $50 per month
Extras: Watch on two different devices at the same time; DVR is in Beta stage; free Roku Premiere Streaming Media Player if you prepay two months
Free Trial: 7 days
How to Sign Up & Watch:
1. Click here to go to the DirecTV Now website
2. Click on “Start your free trial now” and then create an account
3. Select the channel package you want. Every base bundle includes ESPN 2, while “Just Right” and above includes the Tennis Channel
4. Enter your payment information. While “Just Right” is $50 per month, there are other options at $35 (without Tennis Channel), $60 or $70 per month. If you cancel your subscription within seven days of signing up, you will not be charged
5. Return to the DirecTV Now website to start watching on your desktop. You can also watch via the DirecTV Now, which is available via a handful of different mobile or streaming devices. You can click here for the complete list of compatible devices
Cheapest Option for ESPN 2: Sling TV
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If you’re only concerned about watching the coverage that will be on ESPN 2, and if price is your No. 1 priority in a streaming service, there’s no question that Sling TV is the way to go. ESPN and ESPN are included in the “Sling Orange” bundle at just $20 per month, while DVR is an extra $5 per month.
Another pro for Sling TV is the ability for more customization. While other services offer more channels in their base bundles, Sling has a variety of different add-on bundles, such as the “Sports Extra” bundle, for just $5 or $10 extra per month.
With that in mind, here’s a rundown of “Sling Orange:
Total Channels Included: 25-plus, depending on local channels available. You can find the complete channel list right here
Price: $20 per month
Extras: Watch on one device at once; 50 hours of cloud DVR is $5 per month extra (restrictions with certain channels)
Free Trial: 7 days
How to Sign Up & Watch:
1. Click here to go to the Sling TV website
2. Click on “Watch Now 7 Days Free” and then create an account
3. Select the channel package you want. “Sling Orange” will give you access to ESPN and ESPN 2
4. Enter your payment information. “Sling Orange” costs $20 per month, while you can get both base packages (Sling Orange plus Sling Blue) for $40 per month. If you cancel your subscription within seven days of signing up, you will not be charged
5. Download the Sling app on your computer or mobile device and begin watching TV. If you’re interested in watching Sling TV on a mobile or streaming device, you can do so via their app, which is free to download. You can click here for a full list of compatible devices
Most Streams At Once: PlayStation Vue
PlayStation Vue is somewhere in the middle on the price vs. quantity of channels spectrum. Its cheapest package with ESPN and ESPN 2 is “Access,” which, at $39.99, is more expensive than Sling TV but doesn’t have as many channels as DirecTV Now.
Still, it does have some compelling advantages, as DVR is included and users can watch on five separate devices at once, which is more than any other streaming device.
Here’s a look at the “Access” bundle:
Total Channels Included: 40-plus, depending on local channels available. You can find the complete channel list here
Price: $39.99
Extras: Watch on five different devices at once; cloud DVR (restrictions with certain channels)
Free Trial: 5 days
How to Sign Up & Watch:
1. Click here to go to the PlayStation Vue website
2. Click on “Start Free Trial” and then create an account
3. Select the channel package you want. There are four different options, all of which include ESPN and ESPN 2
4. Enter your payment information. The “Access” package is the cheapest at $39.99 per month, while there are other options at $44.99, $54.99 or $74.99 per month. If you cancel your subscription within seven days of signing up, you will not be charged
5. Return to the PlayStation Vue website to start watching on your desktop. You can also watch via the PlayStation Vue app, which is available via a handful of different mobile or streaming devices. You can click here for the complete list of compatible devices