How do you plan to watch the game? Different viewing options on ESPN.
I hope all the lucky fans that are able to go to the game have a great time and cheer loudly for our Wolverines. For the rest of us watching from home, how do you plan on watching? These are the options that I found while browsing the ESPN MegaCast schedule. Let me know if I missed anything.
ESPN-Main Telecast: Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Molly McGrath and Tiffany Blackmon
ESPN2-Field Pass W/ The Pat McAfee Show: Robert Griffin III, Taylor Lewan and AQ Shipley are set to join McAfee, AJ Hawk and Darius Butler
ESPNU-Command Center: A multi-angle presentation, which includes up to four different vantage points at any one time, with real-time player and team statistics supplementing the game action.
ESPNEWS-AT&T 5G SkyCast: The popular view from above the action and behind the offense on most plays. This unique angle has long been one of ESPN’s alternate viewing options and is readily available on multiple games every week. Replays will be shown every time the main telecast shows a replay, while never losing the look from Skycam.
Other streaming Options on ESPN:
All-22: Watch the game the same way players and coaches study film, with a vantage point high above the field of play. The angle allows for the 22 players on the field to be seen at all times, providing the ability to distinguish how plays develop while listening to the ESPN Radio call.
Michigan Hometown Radio: ESPN video synced up with the Michigan Radio broadcast of Doug Karsch, Jon Jansen and Jason Avant
And this is pretty cool:
CFP Semifinal Marching Bands on ESPN App: Returning in 2022, the halftime marching band performances at the College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will be available on the ESPN App.
Personally, I’m a traditionalist and will just watch the regular telecast. I’d like to listed to RG3, but just can’t stand McAfee.
Go Blue!
December 31st, 2022 at 10:23 AM ^
Thanks for posting!
Are any of these options in 4K?
I have been digging around. Can't seem to find a 4K option.
December 31st, 2022 at 10:26 AM ^
I didn't see anything about 4k options. Seems strange that it's not available, though.
December 31st, 2022 at 10:52 AM ^
The only 4K that ESPN is airing is a Skycam / floating camera during the national championship game next week.
The semis will have no 4K streaming for any of the options / channels / streams cited in the original post above.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:18 AM ^
Thanks for the responses.
Baffling. If we can't even get 4K for these heavily watched sporting events, what is the point of the latest 8K TVs?
This is a classic "Old Man Yells at Cloud" moment for me.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:43 AM ^
Believe me man, I wish everything was in 4K too. Maybe by the time of the 2028 Olympics in LA.
December 31st, 2022 at 12:13 PM ^
Fox does 4k. Every game of ours that was on Big Noon Saturday was 4k. The entire World Cup was in 4k. But for whatever reason ESPN just doesn't bother. Not the national championship game, not last year's Super Bowl... It's pathetic.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:46 AM ^
There is no point to 8K TVs except to help TV companies sell a few more high end TVs.
December 31st, 2022 at 1:04 PM ^
That's what everyone said about 4k 10 years ago.
December 31st, 2022 at 2:35 PM ^
We're literally in the middle of a conversation about how the National Playoff Semi Finals on ESPN are STILL not being broadcast in 4k. I'm not sure the "10 years" later 4k point youre making is the point you want to make.
If you bought a 4K set 10 years ago, you've basically spent the last decade wondering why most all programming is NOT in 4k. Why some channels claim to have 4k broadcasts (but are actually just upres 1080). And why you paid a premium for technology that barely has market penetration.
But good news is around the corner... we're optimistic that in just 4 or 5 years time 4K will be more prevalent that the biggest sporting events in the country will be broadcast in 4K!
December 31st, 2022 at 3:18 PM ^
Exactly. And don't forget you'd only get it in 4K if you pay the upcharge for 4K streaming service even if the game is "available" in 4K.
December 31st, 2022 at 1:07 PM ^
If they were side by side I could maybe tell the difference but 720p on my 70” tv looks amazing. It’s great that things are always getting better but at this point it is all marginal returns. I was going to buy an 86” tv for the CFP instead of going but meh. Good enough.
December 31st, 2022 at 2:51 PM ^
I am extremely suspicious of your eyesight if you think 720p on a 70" TV looks "amazing".
Even 1080p over 720p is such a relief, and you can tell immediately if something is only 720 and not 1080.
December 31st, 2022 at 3:10 PM ^
I’m also baffled that ESPN’s broadcast is only in stereo, with 5.1 surround not available. Especially seeing that ABC’s (and Fox’s) broadcasts have 5.1.
December 31st, 2022 at 10:23 AM ^
Plan on watching with Jansen & Karsch synced, but the regular crew would also be fine.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:20 AM ^
That would be my optimal viewing choice If there is no gap in the audio-video presentation. I would typically try this to watch Met games against the Braves this way because of the MLB blackout policy (really sucks).
December 31st, 2022 at 10:24 AM ^
I had a long planned trip to Mexico and will be trusting the power of Wi-Fi to watch a stream in lovely Tepoztlan.
Test run went well. Lol.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:21 AM ^
May the force of the stream be with you.
December 31st, 2022 at 10:25 AM ^
Recording them all, and I plan to watch one every day this week as I celebrate.
Let's go!!
December 31st, 2022 at 10:27 AM ^
That's the way to do it!
December 31st, 2022 at 10:29 AM ^
I'm just watching the main telecast. I'm just superstitious enough that I feel that if I do that it will matter. That's a good idea though.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:44 AM ^
Fantastic idea, I think I'll do the same.
It'll give me something to watch before I leave for LA on Thursday!
December 31st, 2022 at 10:34 AM ^
I'll probably watch with a slight buzz and then pick things up after the game
December 31st, 2022 at 10:36 AM ^
We’re kicking the options around now. We’ll have multiple tv’s.. so, the “main” ESPN signal on the biggest screen, and ..the Command Center (most likely) on the second.
The kitchen tv will probably be on the Deuce.
December 31st, 2022 at 10:51 AM ^
ESPN via VPN.... hopefully it works. I'm overseas. Any suggestions?
December 31st, 2022 at 1:47 PM ^
No ESPN access, so here for this. Thanks!
December 31st, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^
Which, if any, of these TV options will have the minimum presence of announcers ruining the game with their blah blah blah?
Somehow. I don't know how, but it's certainly a miracle- fans who actually attend the games can still enjoy their experience without the Kirk Herbstreits of the world ceaselessly talking.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:05 AM ^
I’m pretty sure the Command Center doesn’t have any announcers. I think it’s just stadium noise in the background.
December 31st, 2022 at 1:37 PM ^
National broadcast is on Command Center for the Alabama KSU game.
Last year they had crowd noise on sky cam.
I'm watching with family and need the national broadcast to explain the action. It helps with confusing penalties as well. I do like the sky camera and will record the All 22, but won't watch it likely due to a busy week.
December 31st, 2022 at 1:46 PM ^
Thanks. I knew the crowd noise was one of those. How can you record the All 22?
December 31st, 2022 at 10:56 AM ^
Main telecast while watching on the edge of my seat
December 31st, 2022 at 11:23 AM ^
Main telecast on the big TV and hometown broadcast over my bar
December 31st, 2022 at 11:26 AM ^
I'm not sure I understand re: the All-22 feed. Are you saying it's going to be recordable from one of the ESPN feeds, or is it URL only?
December 31st, 2022 at 11:29 AM ^
I'm pretty sure it's only through the ESPN app or online. I don't know if it's available through the ESPN app on Roku (or similar), but it won't be on one of the ESPN cable channels.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:44 AM ^
ESPN app (I think?) or web browser (for sure this works, I checked myself), not distributed on linear (Comcast, etc.) or OTT (YouTube TV) providers.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
I'm a traditionalist as well, so I will be going with the main telecast. But unlike you, I cannot stand RG3. McAfee is entertaining to me, but his wardrobe today is tragic.
December 31st, 2022 at 12:26 PM ^
I like them both - they bring great energy to the game. McAfee’s outfits are always cringe.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:53 AM ^
Just the ESPN main feed at the alumni bar in Raleigh! Always fun to watch with other M faithful
December 31st, 2022 at 11:54 AM ^
I'm going to try the Hometown Radio option. Would for sure do that if it was Brandstatter and Dierdorf...I find Karsch's voice grating on Inside Michigan Football, not sure if I'll like his call or not.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:59 AM ^
YIKES!
Desmond just referred to Michigan as "Big Blue"
December 31st, 2022 at 12:06 PM ^
Yep. Unacceptable.
December 31st, 2022 at 1:27 PM ^
That's an "ooph" moment.
OTOH, somehow all sports announcers decided to - almost simultaneously - misattribute Kentucky's moniker...which is kinda hilarious.
December 31st, 2022 at 12:04 PM ^
Started the day with Bill Monroe for breakfast. Rough sledding for the noon to 4 stretch--like to see KSU and IA win and slappy kentucky bball... So maybe just grazing and surfin' until pregame. Espn is ok for our game and then the late game is mandatory viewing so pacing is going to be key.
Go Blue!
December 31st, 2022 at 12:27 PM ^
Upvote for Bill Monroe breakfast
December 31st, 2022 at 12:19 PM ^
Given the announcers, I will be disconnecting my center channel, and watching the normal version. With no center channel, you just get the stadium sounds, nothing from the booth.
People with sound bars... you're out of luck.
December 31st, 2022 at 12:23 PM ^
Love McAfee - he’s the best thing to happen to college football.
December 31st, 2022 at 12:32 PM ^
Smartphone. Kid's soccer game..........
December 31st, 2022 at 12:36 PM ^
Years ago I bought a 3D TV for games. Guess the market wasn't ready for that.
December 31st, 2022 at 12:41 PM ^
Not only did they abandon 3-D, there is extremely little 4K content so far. Other than one or two options, it’s not even possible to get an OTA DVR that records ATSC 3.0 yet, and that’s just ridiculous
December 31st, 2022 at 12:39 PM ^
I have never heard of the “Michigan Hometown radio” option before, will I find this on ESPN plus? If not, can you please steer me in the right direction?