Live Stream NBCSN Without Cable

UPDATED January 11, 2022

NBCSN was shut down on Dec. 31, 2021. Most of the sports programming that aired on NBCSN is now on USA Network. The remainder of the sporting events is now available on Peacock Premium.

How to live stream NBCSN online without cable

It’s pretty easy to live stream NBCSN on a Roku, Apple TV or even a Fire TV Stick without a cable or satellite TV subscription.

There are about a half dozen choices out there, so you don’t need Comcast, Xfinity or Spectrum anymore. 

Hulu with Live TV is the best option for most sports fans wanting to watch NBCSN live.

That’s because Hulu’s live TV service has NBC Sports Networks and local NBC, CBS and FOX stations.

By typing in your zip code on Hulu’s site, you can easily look over local channels and sports channels in your area. Hulu lets you try its live TV package free for 7 days even if you already subscribe to its on-demand streaming service. 

You’ll want those local channels for sports coverage, and you’ll want networks like ESPN, FS1 AND FS2. Hulu’s live TV subscription gets you 65+ live channels, unlimited access to its on-demand library and 50 hours of Cloud DVR for $54.99 per month.

Subscribers can activate the NBC Sports app.

There are no sneaky fees or contracts like cable. Just cancel online if you don’t like the service.

Getting NBC Sports Live

The NBC Sports Network is essential for watching soccer, NHL Hockey, NASCAR racing and soccer matches.

But if Hulu isn’t your thing, no worries.

Thanks to a wave of cord cutting, and cable alternatives, you don’t have to rely on Comcast or Spectrum. Once you learn how to negotiate a fairly priced Internet subscription without cable, you’ll really be saving money.

This guide will quickly show you all your options for how to watch NBCSN live on a smartphone, a streaming device or gaming console.

fuboTV: Watch NBCSN live stream without cable

fuboTV is my runner-up pick to live stream NBCSN because it has hard-to-get channels such as NESN, MSG and MSG+.

Fubo is a sports-first streaming service with about 100+ channels in its entry level bundle. That bundle has a unique lineup of sports networks with FS1, FS2, NFL Network, beIN Sports, PAC-12 Networks and Big Ten Network.

Entertainment channels are in the mix too. HGTV, AMC, A&E, Bravo, USA, National Geographic and Viceland are included. One downside? There’s no ESPN.

Similar to Hulu, fubo subscribers can sign into roughly 40 apps including the NBC Sports app. fuboTV has apps for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Android TV devices like NVIDIA Shield TV.

fuboTV has a free 7-day trial with no contracts or obligations. A fubo subscription is $64.99 per month.

fuboTV has live sporting events in 4K

If you own a 4K TV, then you may want to subscribe to fuboTV because it is the only live TV streaming service that shows select sporting events in 4K HDR, including games on NBCSN.

Subscribers get 30 hours of Cloud DVR with the option to upgrade to 500 hours.

You can look over fuboTV’s channels in your area, and see if it’s a good fit for you.

Sling TV: budget option to live stream NBCSN

The Sling Blue channel bundle has NBCSN along with local NBC and FOX stations in many parts of the U.S. The Blue plan has 40 channels for $30 per month. It’s the bundle more geared for sports fans because you get FS1, FS2, NFL Network and FOX regional sports networks.

Here’s the rub.

If you want ESPN, then you will need the Sling Orange channel bundle too. That has about 30 channels for $30 per month by itself.

Subscribers pay $45 per month for both Sling Orange and Sling Blue. Cloud DVR costs another $5 per month for 50 hours of space. But you can get 10 hours of DVR space for free. 

Even if you can’t get local channels, this may be a good option for you if you use a TV antenna as well. Read over my review of Sling TV if you like.

If you don’t want to burn time on that, look over the Sling TV channel lineup before deciding whether to sign up.

AT&T TV: Watch NBCSN Live Stream

DIRECTV STREAM has NBCSN in the Choice plan.

ESPN, Nickelodeon and HGTV are included in the channel lineup. You get 20 hours of Cloud DVR and 50,000 on-demand movies and shows.

A subscription costs $84.99 per month for 90+ channels.

Subscribers get three months of HBO Max free before the $14.99-per-month rate kicks in.

When you sign up, you can subscribe month to month and cancel whenever you want. DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV and smartphones and tablets. 

You can look over the different channel lineups before deciding whether to sign up. 

Live Stream NBCSN on YouTube TV

YouTube TV is known for offering a mix of sports networks like NBCSN and having locals-first approach to its channel lineup. So if having local NBC and FOX stations are important to you, then YouTube TV is worth a look. ESPN is part of YouTube TV’s channel lineup, and you’ll get unlimited Cloud DVR for about $50 per month.

YouTube TV has a free 7-day trial. Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast and Android TV devices like NVIDIA Shield all have apps for YouTube TV.

Tips and Tricks: Streaming on the NBC Sports app without cable

Having unlimited access to the NBC Sports app can be useful at times. But you don’t need a cable subscription anymore to sign in, and live stream NBCSN content.

Nearly all of the live TV streaming services mentioned above allow you to use your subscription to sign into the NBC Sports app and others.

These apps are especially useful if you’re on the road and brought along a Roku Streaming Stick or another streaming device. Sometimes, you’ll even find an app carrying a live stream to a network that isn’t in your pay-TV subscription.

Using a TV Antenna to Watch Sports Free

You might find an ideal live TV streaming service that lacks the local NBC, CBS and FOX stations that you need. There’s a silver lining you need to take advantage of. There’s an excellent chance you’re living in an area where you can get these channels for free in HD (1080i or 720p) clarity.

Type your zip code into a free online tool like AntennaWeb.org to see how many local stations you can pick up in your region of the U.S.

For more on this topic, I’d suggest reading my two guides: How to Choose the Best Antenna & OTA DVR, and The Best Indoor Antennas.

What’s the best way to live stream NBCSN without cable?

I just unloaded a bunch of information on you. So let’s quickly recap a few highlights and narrow down your choices.

• Hulu with Live TV: I’m picking Hulu’s live TV package as the best deal to live stream NBCSN because it provides more value and features for its price than competing services. You’re getting both the live TV package and its on-demand library that people pay $5.99 per month for. So you’re essentially getting two streaming services for the price of one. Hulu works on streaming devices like Roku, iPhones and gaming consoles like Nintendo Switch. You get 50 hours of Cloud DVR included in your subscription, and the most local NBC, CBS and FOX stations than any competing live streaming service. Subscribers can log in to a few dozen apps including NBC Sports, WatchESPN and FOX Sports Go. You can look over its channel lineup by just typing in your zip code.
• Sling TV: You can live stream NBCSN on the cheap with the Sling Blue bundle for $30 per month. But if you want ESPN, you’ll need to add the Sling Orange bundle too, which will cost $45 per month. Sling TV could be a decent option to pair with an antenna if you can’t get the locals you want.
• fuboTV: This sports-first platform has NBCSN and the second highest number of local NBC and FOX stations among its competitors. You’ll get 100+ channels. There’s a mix of sports networks like beIN Sports, FS1, FS2, PAC-12 Networks, NFL Network, Big Ten Network and NFL Network. You can also see certain sporting events on NBCSN in 4K. Subscribers can log into apps like FOX Sports Go and NBC Sports. fuboTV has a free 7-day trial. A subscription is $64.99 per month.

So now that I’ve outlined all the ways to live stream NBCSN, how are you going to watch? Tell fellow readers in the comments below.

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