The Ultimate Cord-Cutter’s Guide to NHL Hockey
Navigating the world of sports broadcasting as a cord-cutter can be a daunting task, especially for hockey enthusiasts. Unlike the NFL, which broadcasts most of its games on over-the-air channels, the NHL’s TV schedule relies heavily on cable and subscription services. But with the right strategies and resources, it’s possible to enjoy all the NHL action without a traditional cable subscription.
Streaming Options for National Broadcasts
For the 2023-24 season, nationally broadcast NHL games will be distributed among ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu, and TNT.
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ABC: Most streaming services include ABC in their packages, but availability varies by local market. Check your provider’s website or use their app to confirm availability. As a backup, consider using an over-the-air antenna to receive your local ABC affiliate.
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ESPN and ESPN+: ESPN and ESPN+ will host regular season broadcasts along with ABC, Hulu, and TNT.
Streaming Services for Local Broadcasts
To follow your local team’s games, you’ll need access to their regional broadcast partner. This can be a challenge, as several streaming services have recently dropped regional sports networks (RSNs) from their offerings.
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DirectTV Stream: DirectTV Stream remains the only streaming service to offer a comprehensive lineup of RSNs, including NBC Sports regional networks, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, New England Sports Network, YES Network, and Spectrum SportsNet LA.
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Other Streaming Services: Sling TV, FuboTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV have all discontinued their partnerships with various RSNs. Check each service’s website or app for availability in your area.
ESPN+ for Out-of-Market Games
The NHL’s subscription service, NHL.TV, once offered access to all out-of-market games. After its shutdown, ESPN+ absorbed most of these games. For a mere $10 a month, you can access a wide selection of live out-of-market games, making it an excellent option for hockey fans who want to catch all the action.
Streaming Service Recommendations
For Basic NHL Coverage:
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Sling TV: Offers ESPN and TNT for $40 a month. Add the NHL Network with the Sports Extra package for $11 a month.
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DirectTV Stream: Includes ABC, ESPN, and TNT in its Entertainment package for $75 a month. Upgrade to the Ultimate package for $110 a month to add the NHL Network.
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FuboTV: Offers ABC and ESPN in its $75-per-month Pro package. Add the NHL Network with the Sports Lite add-on for $10 a month.
For Comprehensive Coverage:
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DirectTV Stream: The only streaming service with a full complement of RSNs, making it ideal for local team broadcasts and national games.
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Hulu + Live TV: Includes ABC, ESPN, and TNT in a single $70-per-month subscription. Offers access to exclusive out-of-market games through ESPN+.
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YouTube TV: Charges $73 a month and includes ABC, ESPN, and TNT. However, it does not offer the same level of RSN coverage as DirectTV Stream.
The Future of NHL Streaming
While streaming hockey can still present some challenges, the future looks promising for the NHL and cord-cutting fans. The league’s recent TV deals with The Walt Disney Company and Turner Sports ensure that there will be ample ways to watch the NHL without cable for years to come.
