The struggle for sports fans to watch every game is real, especially with the trend of cord-cutting and the proliferation of various streaming services. It can be challenging to access the games you want due to exclusive deals between leagues and networks, as well as local blackout restrictions. Consumer Reports offers a breakdown of your options to help you determine if the cost is worth it.
Watching sports on local channels is becoming increasingly scarce, as leagues sign exclusive deals with networks. However, if your football team is in your city, you may be able to catch the games on local TV stations like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX for free. These channels can also be streamed on various services such as DirecTV Stream, Hulu, and YouTube TV. ESPN or ESPN+ may be necessary for Monday night games. If you are not near your team, the NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV is an option for $349.
Baseball fans may want to consider MLB.TV’s All Teams package, which offers a better deal compared to the single-team option. Those rooting for the home team should find a streaming service that has the right to broadcast the regional sports network. For NBA games, a TV package with national channels may cover many games, or you could opt for NBA League Pass for $14.99 a month, or WNBA for $12.99 a month.
If you only want to watch a single game, signing up for a monthly subscription may not be cost-effective, as it can be cheaper to watch the game at a local sports bar. Additionally, sharing passwords with others to split costs may not be a viable option, as many services are cracking down on this practice and suspending accounts. Remember to cancel subscriptions to avoid being charged the following month.