Looking for the best ways to watch your favorite sports? OnSportsNow provides comprehensive information on how to catch MLB, NHL, and NBA games through cable, satellite, streaming services, and other options. Never miss a game with our complete guide to watching live sports.
Streaming Services for Live Sports
ESPN+
ESPN+ offers select MLB, NHL, and NBA games throughout the season. Coverage includes exclusive games not available on standard ESPN channels, plus studio shows, analysis, and more.
Price: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
Bundle: Available with Disney+ and Hulu for $14.99/month
YouTube TV
YouTube TV includes ESPN, TNT, TBS, ABC, NBA TV, MLB Network, and local sports networks in many areas. Offers cloud DVR with unlimited storage to record games.
Price: $72.99/month
Sports Add-on: $10.99/month for NBA League Pass, MLB.TV, and more
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV includes ESPN, TNT, TBS, and regional sports networks in many markets. Comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, making it a comprehensive sports streaming option.
Price: $76.99/month
Includes: Disney+ and ESPN+ in subscription
Sling TV
Sling TV offers a more affordable option with the Orange plan (ESPN channels) and Blue plan (NBC, Fox). Combined package gives access to most national MLB, NHL, and NBA broadcasts.
Price: Sling Orange or Blue $40/month each, or $55/month combined
Sports Extra: $11/month for additional sports channels
fuboTV
fuboTV specializes in sports coverage with ESPN, FS1, MLB Network, NBA TV, and regional sports networks. Offers 4K streaming for select sporting events.
Price: Pro plan $79.99/month
Sports Plus: $10.99/month for additional sports channels
Streaming Service Comparison
| Service | Starting Price | MLB Coverage | NHL Coverage | NBA Coverage | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | 7 days |
| Hulu + Live TV | $76.99/mo | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | 3 days |
| Sling TV | $40/mo | Good | Good | Good | None |
| fuboTV | $79.99/mo | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | 7 days |
| DirecTV Stream | $74.99/mo | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | 5 days |
Cable & Satellite TV Options
Traditional cable and satellite TV providers still offer some of the most comprehensive sports coverage available. Most major providers include the following sports channels in their standard or sports packages:
Key Sports Channels
- ESPN/ESPN2: MLB, NHL, and NBA regular season and playoff games
- TNT: NBA regular season and playoff games
- TBS: MLB postseason games
- ABC: NBA Finals and select NBA games
- NBC/NBCSN: NHL regular season and playoff games
- FOX/FS1: MLB regular season and World Series
- MLB Network: MLB regular season and some playoff games
- NBA TV: NBA regular season games
- NHL Network: NHL regular season games
- Regional Sports Networks (RSNs): Local MLB, NHL, and NBA team broadcasts
Major Cable & Satellite Providers
Xfinity
Basic Sports Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, TNT, TBS
Sports Package: $9.99/month for additional sports channels including MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network
RSNs: Available in most packages, varying by region
More InfoDirecTV
Basic Sports Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, TNT, TBS included in basic packages
Sports Package: $13.99/month for Sports Pack with regional sports networks from across the country
Exclusive: NFL Sunday Ticket available exclusively through DirecTV (until 2023)
More InfoSpectrum
Basic Sports Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, TNT, TBS in Select package
Sports Package: Sports View package with MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network
RSNs: Available in most packages, varying by region
More InfoDish Network
Basic Sports Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, TNT, TBS included in America's Top 120+ and higher
Sports Package: Multi-Sport Pack for $13/month includes MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network
Note: Dish has had carriage disputes with some RSNs
More InfoLeague Streaming Packages
MLB.TV
MLB.TV is the official streaming service of Major League Baseball, offering live and on-demand access to out-of-market games throughout the regular season.
Features:
- Live streaming of all out-of-market MLB games
- Multi-game viewing on supported devices
- Home and away broadcast options
- Condensed games and highlights
- Radio broadcasts
- Stats integration and pitch tracking
Blackout Information:
Local games are subject to blackout restrictions. You cannot watch games for teams in your local market live on MLB.TV. These games become available for archive viewing approximately 90 minutes after the game ends.
NHL Center Ice & ESPN+
NHL games are available through ESPN+ and the ESPN App as part of a seven-year media rights agreement. This replaced the standalone NHL.TV service in the United States.
Features:
- More than 1,000 out-of-market NHL games on ESPN+
- Exclusive NHL games on ESPN+
- Multi-view capability on supported devices
- Condensed games and highlights
- Archive of classic NHL games
- NHL Center Ice available through cable/satellite providers
Blackout Information:
Local games are subject to blackout restrictions. Games broadcast on local TV or national networks (ABC, ESPN, TNT) are not available on ESPN+ in the local market.
NBA League Pass
NBA League Pass is the official streaming service of the National Basketball Association, offering access to out-of-market games throughout the regular season.
Features:
- Live streaming of all out-of-market NBA games
- Multiple viewing options: Home, Away, and Mobile View
- Multi-game viewing on supported devices
- Condensed games (10-12 minute versions)
- Full-length and condensed game replays
- NBA TV live programming (with Premium subscription)
- Classic games archive
Blackout Information:
Local games and nationally televised games (on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV) are subject to blackout restrictions. These games become available for archive viewing three hours after broadcast.
International Viewing Options
Sports fans outside the United States have various options for watching MLB, NHL, and NBA games. International viewers often have access to different services without the same blackout restrictions that affect US viewers.
Canada
TV Providers
- Sportsnet: Primary broadcaster for NHL (national games), MLB (Blue Jays), and NBA (Raptors)
- TSN: Coverage of NHL, NBA, and MLB games
- RDS: French-language sports coverage, including NHL
- CBC: Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts
Streaming Services
- Sportsnet Now: Streams content from Sportsnet channels
- TSN Direct: Streaming service for TSN content
- DAZN Canada: Various sports content
- NHL Live: Out-of-market NHL games (different from US version)
- NBA League Pass Canada: Similar to US version but with different blackout rules
- MLB.TV: Available with Canada-specific blackouts for Blue Jays games
Europe
United Kingdom
- Sky Sports: NBA and MLB coverage
- Premier Sports: NHL coverage
- League streaming services: Usually available without blackouts
Germany & Central Europe
- DAZN: NBA, MLB, and NHL coverage in many European countries
- Sky Deutschland: Sports coverage in Germany
Asia-Pacific
Australia
- ESPN via Kayo Sports: NBA, MLB, and NHL coverage
- NBA League Pass, NHL Live, MLB.TV: Available without major blackout restrictions
Japan
- WOWOW: NBA coverage
- J Sports: MLB coverage
- NHK: Select international sporting events
Using VPN Services
Many international viewers use VPN (Virtual Private Network) services to access content from different regions. While this can bypass geographic restrictions, please note:
- Using VPNs to circumvent geographical restrictions may violate the terms of service of streaming platforms
- Some services actively block known VPN connections
- Always check the legal implications and terms of service in your region
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to watch all three major sports (MLB, NHL, NBA)?
The most cost-effective solution is typically a combination of a basic streaming service like Sling TV ($40/month for Orange or Blue) plus over-the-air antenna for broadcast networks. Add ESPN+ ($9.99/month) for additional NHL content. This combination provides access to many national broadcasts while minimizing costs.
How can I watch my local team if I don't have cable?
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) that carry local MLB, NHL, and NBA games are available through several streaming services including YouTube TV, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV. Availability varies by region, so check which service carries your local RSN before subscribing.
Why are some games blacked out on league streaming services?
Blackouts exist to protect the exclusivity of local and national broadcast rights. Games are blacked out on league streaming services (MLB.TV, NHL on ESPN+, NBA League Pass) when they're available through local RSNs or national broadcasters in your area. These broadcasting deals are a significant revenue source for leagues.
What devices can I use to stream sports?
Most streaming services support a wide range of devices including:
- Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.)
- Streaming devices (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast)
- Game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)
- Mobile devices (iOS and Android phones/tablets)
- Web browsers on computers
Always check the specific service's website for their current device support.
What internet speed do I need for streaming sports?
For reliable sports streaming, recommended minimum speeds are:
- Standard Definition (SD): 3-5 Mbps
- High Definition (HD): 5-10 Mbps
- 4K/UHD: 25+ Mbps
For households with multiple devices streaming simultaneously, add 5-10 Mbps per additional stream.