WatchESPN app won't let me re-authenticate, but also won't get me all the content

Question

Level 1

5 points

WatchESPN app won't let me re-authenticate, but also won't get me all the content

This morning, my WatchESPN app was working fine. At some point, however, my AppleTV (3rd generation) wouldn't allow me to watch the live stream of ESPN or ESPN2, but other content (ESPN3, replays of older events, etc.) would play with no problem. The message I got said, "Unable to Play Video, We show that you are not authorized for this service," I confirmed with my cable company that my login and password will allow me to use WatchESPN without issue. I then tried logging into the app on my iPad (4th generation) and got the same message. After a few phone calls back and forth between my cable company and ESPN (each referred me to the other), someone at my cable company "reset" my logon ID, and after re-authenticaing my Apple TV device, it began to work. I am still not able to get into the app on my iPad, however, and here is the main issue:

Whenever I attempt to login through my cable provider, it DOES NOT allow me to input my username and password on the logon screen. I select my cable provider, the login screen flashes for a half-second or so, then it brings me briefly to the screen that says "logging you in," then it says "access rights validated," and brings me to the app. It seems to work, but then when I try to watch the ESPN or ESPN2 live streams, I get the same "Unable to Play Video" message and the cycle continues.

I'm HOPING that if I'm able to actually put in my cable ID and password again, it will have the same effect as it did on my Apple TV, but I don't know how to break out of this cycle.

Here's what I've tried already (over and over and over again):

-Log out of the app and log back in

-Went to "Settings" > "WatchESPN" and turned "on" the Reset Authentication" button/switch.

-Deleted and reinstalled the app

-Signed out of my Apple ID, then back in in order to reinstall the app

-Updated iPad IOS software to 8.3

Each time I tried any of the above, it just pushed me through the login process and would not allow me to put my ID and password in.

Any help or suggestions?!?

Thanks

Tim

iPad, iOS 8.3

Posted on Apr 8, 2015 4:54 PM

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Answer 1

derek70

Level 1

4 points

Jun 29, 2015 10:24 PM in response to timfmorris

Having the exact same troubles, Cox as my cable provider. Had the app with an account that did not have cable tv service and now trying to use with a cable tv account, but auth screen never prompts me for new username/password, just goes on stored info. I've tried resetting Safari data, turning off password storage in iCloud, deleted and re-downloaded the app, but nothing changes it.

Any information anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

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Answer 2

BfloD

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2017 5:15 PM in response to timfmorris

I have DirecTV. Under the Settings Icon on the Apple 4 interface, I set "allow ESPN to access" to never. The screen then gave me an activation code when it was only signed onto UVerse, and not trying to sign in with Directv credentials. Problem solved, I can now WatchESPN

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Answer 3

ESPNfix

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2017 6:04 PM in response to timfmorris

Next to the search events box there is a little circle. Looks like a tire called settings. Click that and select log out. Then it will allow you to sign back in. I did the recommendation of turning off wifi and using personal hotspot and that worked perfect.

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Answer 4

timfmorris Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 8, 2015 5:02 PM in response to timfmorris

Add "reset my wireless router" to the list of things I tried

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Answer 5

timfmorris Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 9, 2015 3:57 PM in response to timfmorris

Also add "reset my cable provider login password" to the list…tried to trick it into allowing me to put in my ID/Password, but it still just pushed me through and didn't allow that to happen…it still validates my access rights, but doesn't allow certain content to play…extremely frustrating...

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Answer 6

derek70

Level 1

4 points

Jun 29, 2015 10:31 PM in response to derek70

Sadly, I had to reset all my settings on my iPhone to get this to function properly. What a pain.

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Answer 7

Nov 7, 2015 12:06 PM in response to timfmorris

did anyone find another solution aside from resetting my entire iPad settings?

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Answer 8

Nov 13, 2015 1:03 PM in response to TheRealDana

I think I got it...

1) Turn off Wifi on your device

2) Go to Settings, locate WatchESPN and select Reset Authentication

3) Open WatchESPN using cellular, 3G, LTE, etc. This will prompt the username/password screen instead of bypassing it (I had to connect my iPad to my phone using a "Personal Hotspot" because I don't have a data plan for my iPad)

4) Once you've successfully logged in turn your device's Wifi back on and you should be good!

Hope this helps!!

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Answer 9

Nov 13, 2015 1:04 PM in response to timfmorris

I think I got it...

1) Turn off Wifi on your device

2) Go to Settings, locate WatchESPN and select Reset Authentication

3) Open WatchESPN using cellular, 3G, LTE, etc. This will prompt the username/password screen instead of bypassing it (I had to connect my iPad to my phone using a "Personal Hotspot" because I don't have a data plan for my iPad)

4) Once you've successfully logged in turn your device's Wifi back on and you should be good!

Hope this helps!!

Reply

Answer 10

keychey

Level 1

0 points

Nov 20, 2015 9:03 AM in response to billybaroo32

=========

I think I got it...

1) Turn off Wifi on your device

2) Go to Settings, locate WatchESPN and select Reset Authentication

3) Open WatchESPN using cellular, 3G, LTE, etc. This will prompt the username/password screen instead of bypassing it (I had to connect my iPad to my phone using a "Personal Hotspot" because I don't have a data plan for my iPad)

4) Once you've successfully logged in turn your device's Wifi back on and you should be good!

Hope this helps!!

=========

this is brilliant! worked on my android phone 🙂

thank you! have been struggling with this problem for over 6 months now. had tried everything except a factory reset.

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Answer 11

Mar 12, 2016 1:44 PM in response to billybaroo32

I created an account to say thanks!! This worked! I did NOT want to reset my whole iPad just to get one app to work. Thanks for the detailed instructions on how to fix this. Super easy and it works!!

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Answer 12

locooso

Level 1

4 points

May 8, 2016 8:57 PM in response to iPadUser711

you rock

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Answer 13

Aug 30, 2016 10:52 PM in response to billybaroo32

Thank you so much posting these instructions! We were going crazy and never in a million years would we have come up with this solution on our own!

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Answer 14

reidmix

Level 1

4 points

Oct 6, 2016 9:14 PM in response to timfmorris

OMG I've been looking for weeks how to solve this -- this totally worked.

I was also having this problem with AMC, BBCAmerica, and Viceland.

How on earth did you figure this out, and *** is going on?

Thanks again!

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Answer 15

enyoc10

Level 1

4 points

Oct 26, 2016 11:23 AM in response to reidmix

I discovered this about a year ago. I have two xfinity accounts, one with TV and one with just internet. When I am at the location with just internet and try to stream ESPN, it automatically logs me in with the account for that location which does not have the TV rights. Thus, I get the issue everyone is having. While I can solve it by connecting to my hotspot via cellular and entering the credentials for the other account, it is very frustrating to have to go through that. The AppleTV seems to hold the account settings because I do not turn it off, but my iPad and iPhone don't. I have talked with both ESPN and Xfinity and neither seems to have any ideas for fixing this.

Be nice if the cable provider would not assume they know the account you want to use.

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