Watch espn

How did you authorize without cable TV? This is what I need. I only expected to get ESPN 3 anyway, which is what I can do on the Mac. I have Frontier FIOS Internet service, which offers ESPN3. I find no way to authorize I on AppleTV.

This, from ESPN, answers it. It does not work unless you already have cable TV. So what good is it?

"Unfortuantely, the WatchESPN application on Apple TV will only work if you are an ESPN TV subscriber of Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Comcast XFINITY, Verizon FIOS, Cox, Charter, Optimum, Midcontinent Communications, or AT&T Uverse."

So I will have to continue to AirPlay it. How stupid.

I don't have cable TV with Charter, just Internet and it works for me. So maybe the issue is with Frontier since they are not on 'the list'?

I was presented with an ESPN web site link to go for the authorization when I clicked on the WatchESPN app on the Apple TV menu.

Given that you can get ESPN3 via Frontier on your MAC, it sure seems like they would enable it to work via AppleTV.

But that would be too logical.

Have an Apple TV because I can't stand using cable and therefore only pay my subscriber for internet and phone service. Was very excited to see Apple add a few new icons but that quickly faded when I realized I HAVE TO PAY FOR CABLE TO GET THE SERVICE!!!! HBO and ESPN Go are not available if you are not a CABLE subscriber. Honestly, when are the cable subscribers and Apple going to get it! I don't want to pay for 250 channels that I don't watch. Was happy to consider the cost for ESPN and HBO had it been a pay as you go or perhaps only the 19.95 charge the cable companies want me pay in addition to the digital cable box, DVR and ridiculous 250 channel line up.

Why would I pay $150+ dollars so I can have 1 tv in my house activiated when I have an Apple TV on both TV's. Unless Apple figures out a way to get more content loaded on the Apple TV it will be the next plug I pull.

WatchEspn on Verizon finally works for me. I just activated 3 apple tvs. My set-up is iMac 2007 with mountain lion and safari. Solution to my problem was to go to network settings and change internet order of service. Originally, I had my wifi first and verizon internet second. Once I switched verizon internet to first, I was able to activate ok. Apparently, verizon is looking for their IP address. If I do not update this post, you should know that this still works.

One other thing - if you have internet only and not cable TV, ESPN3 is the only thing that works so, you are better off looking at the ESPN3 Channel guide only on the Apple TV interface otherwise, you're going to see a bunch of stuff that you don't really get.

And BTW, the interface ain't that great IMO and needs some serious work but that is true across the board on Apple TV. The pace of improvements to the Apple TV various interfaces -- Netflix for example -- is very weak.

I cannot even find WHERE to get the activation code. I am an XFINITY customer with an AppleTV and CANNOT FIND where to GET the activation code to enter. Does anyone have any ideas?

OK--I found the problem... my activation code is BLANK! Gah.

If I get the new AppleTV, will I need to keep my current cable TV service in order to use WatchESPN? If so, what's the point?