Reminder: Kentucky vs. EKU is only on SEC Network+/ESPN+

I hope everyone’s got their streaming situation in order because Saturday’s game is on the computer, as Freddie Maggard would say. The Cats vs. the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (3 PM ET) is only on SEC Network+ and ESPN+, digital platforms only accessible through the ESPN app. That means you won’t be able to watch the game on traditional TV; you’ll only be able to see it on smartphones, tablets, TV-connected devices (Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, SmartTV, etc.), or via espn.com/watch.

Every SEC school is assigned SECN+ and ESPN+ games each season by the conference and its television partners. Last year, Kentucky vs. Miami (OH) was only on the SEC Network+/ESPN+, along with a handful of basketball games. Here’s a reminder on how SEC Network+ and ESPN+ work so you can be ready to see the Cats vs. the Colonels on Saturday.

How to access SEC Network+

SEC Network+ is not a television channel, so you won’t be able to find it on your channel guide. It can be accessed through the ESPN app on smartphones, tablets, connected streaming services, or via espn.com/watch. SEC Network+ is available to SEC Network authenticated subscribers of:

• AT&T TV,
• Cox,
• DIRECTV,
• DISH Network,
• fuboTV,
• Hulu + Live TV,
• Optimum,
• Sling TV,
• Spectrum TV (More on this in a minute),
• Suddenlink,
• Verizon Fios,
• Xfinity TV,
• YouTube TV,
• Vidgo,
• members of the NCTC,

…as well as those with access to SEC Network through TV-connected devices.

I don’t have access to the SEC Network. What do I do?

If you do not have access to the SEC Network through your cable provider, you can access the game via ESPN+. ESPN+ requires a standalone subscription separate from your TV provider credentials. It is available to stream through the ESPN app on your favorite connected streaming devices and ESPN.com.

You can sign up for ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com, or on the ESPN app (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu for $12.99/month (Hulu with ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu without ads).

You can also listen to the UK Sports Network radio broadcast for free on the UK Athletics App, on a computer at UKAthletics.com, or on UK Sports Network radio affiliates, including WBUL 98.1 FM/630 WLAP AM in Lexington.

Note: Once in the ESPN app, make sure to select the correct feed. There are two, ESPN+ and SEC Network+.

I give up. Please help.

Simply put, here is how you can watch Kentucky vs. Eastern Kentucky:

• If you have SEC Network through your cable provider: On SEC Network+ through the ESPN app on a connected device.
• If you do not have SEC Network through your cable provider, or cable at all: ESPN+ subscription ($9.99/month) through the ESPN app on a connected device.
• Louisville Media Box, probably

If you’ve still got questions, contact ESPN Customer Care:

• Telephone: (888) 549-3776
• ESPN Fan Support
• ESPN+ Help Center

I have Spectrum…

If you have Spectrum cable, finding Saturday’s game may be a little tougher. As you are painfully aware, ESPN’s channels and others owned by Disney are off the air amid a dispute between Spectrum and Disney over carriage fees. Hopefully, the issue will be resolved by Saturday. If not, you will not be able to access SEC Network+ via your Spectrum subscription.

You can try out a streaming service that includes ESPN channels, such as YouTubeTV, Sling TV, Hulu Live, DirecTV, or Fubo. YouTubeTV has a free one-week trial, so you’d be covered for Saturday. You can also subscribe to ESPN+, although that will only get you access to the select games on ESPN+, not the games airing live on the ESPN channels.

Or, you can just watch the game at KSBar & Grille. I hear the wings are great.