The cheapest way to watch NHL Network without cable is Sling TV. Although streaming has made it easier to sign up to a live TV plan in general, some channels still remain hard to get, or may even require a separate subscription.
When it comes to streaming NHL Network, options are more limited than with some other channels. For example, neither YouTube TV nor Hulu Live TV currently offer access to NHL Network as part of their base plans, or as add-ons that can be purchased in addition to a base package.
This currently means sports homes will need to make a choice between Sling TV, Fubo, and DirecTV.
Here’s a closer look at those options.
The Cheapest Way to Watch NHL Network
Sling TV remains the cheapest way to watch NHL Network. This live TV streaming service offers multiple plans to choose from, but none of them include NHL Network in the base channel lineup.
Instead, subscribers need to add the Sports Extra add-on to one of the base plans to get access to the channel.
Sports Extra is entirely focused on sports and unlocks access to a number of additional channels, including NHL Network.
Sports Extra costs $11 per month and that’s on top of the cost of a base plan. As a result, the cheapest way to currently watch NHL Network is $31 per month through Sling TV, and by combining Sports Extra with Sling Essentials.
For reference, the exact channel lineup that a subscriber gets access to with the Sports Extra add-on depends on which base plan they are signed up to.
If opting for the cheapest Sling Essentials plan ($19.99/mo), subscribers get access to the following channels when bundling the Sports Extra add-on.
- ACC Network
- beIN SPORTS
- ESPNEWS
- ESPNU
- MLB Network
- NBA TV
- NHL Network
- SEC Network
Another point to note about Sling. If opting for the Essentials plan then you will miss out on access to ESPN, TNT, and TBS, all of which are usually necessary for nationally televised NHL regular-season and playoff games.
If wanting access to these networks as well, signing up to the Sling Orange package (from $45.99/mo) and bundling the Sports Extra add-on ($11/mo) is probably going to be the better option.
Other Ways to Watch NHL Network
Watch NHL Network on DirecTV
DirecTV offers multiple live TV packages to choose from. When it comes to sports specifically, the MySports Genre Pack is usually a good place to start.
MySports costs $64.99/mo and unlocks access to more than 20 sports and broadcast networks, including NHL Network.
MySports
- 20+ channels
- ESPN+
$65/mo
While priced okay, the downside with this package is it mainly focused on national coverage and out-of-market sports networks.
If also wanting access to your local Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) for local team broadcasts, then you will need to consider bundling the Sports Pack add-on ($14.99/mo) with one of DirecTV’s main Signature Packages, considerably increasing the monthly cost.
Watch NHL Network on Fubo
Fubo offers more than one plan to choose from and the Fubo Sports package ($64.99/mo) is the cheapest option overall.
Although this is a sports-focused package, NHL Network is not included by default. Instead, subscribers will need to bundle an add-on to unlock access to the sports network.
The two best add-ons in this situation are Sports Plus with NFL RedZone ($10.99/mo) and Sports Lite ($9.99/mo). If just looking to save the most then Sports Lite is the better option. However, the additional $1 each month for Sports Plus will prove beneficial if also wanting access to NFL RedZone.
When bundling Sports Lite with the Fubo Sports package, the minimal cost increases to $74.98 per month. If bundling Sports Plus with NFL RedZone, the minimum cost rises to $75.98 a month.
Important: Fubo charges a mandatory Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee in most locations. Depending on the package you sign up for, this fee can increase the cost of a live TV package by as much as $17 a month.
Can You Watch NHL Network Without a Live TV Package?
While it was previously possible to sign up to NHL TV to watch out-of-market games in the United States, that’s no longer an option.
Instead, all out-of-market games are now provided as part of an ESPN Select subscription in the U.S., so this might be an option for some homes.
ESPN Select costs $13.99 per month or $139.99 when signing up for an annual plan.
Join the conversation