Updated January 14, 2021
How to Watch NESN without cable
fuboTV and AT&T TV are the only two streaming services that currently offer NESN and NESN Plus to New England based customers. NESN made a statement on Jan. 13 that there are no ongoing discussions with YouTube TV after the live TV service dropped NESN on Oct. 31.
Want to live stream NESN at home or on your iPhone? Here’s how…
There are a couple of dependable ways left to live stream NESN without cable.
The cheapest and most flexible option is through fuboTV.
If you live in the New England area, NESN and NESN+ is among 120+ in fuboTV’s family plan. You get 250 hours of Cloud DVR for recordings and a vast on-demand library of movies and TV shows.
A subscription costs $64.99 per month. You can try out fuboTV free for 7 days without any obligation. Just be sure to cancel before the free trial ends if you don’t want to keep your subscription.
With fuboTV, you can watch Boston Bruins and Red Sox games live on your TV using a Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick (or Cube) or an Android TV device like a Chromecast.
For years, if you wanted to watch the Boston Red Sox play at home, or the Boston Bruins at the Garden, you were at the mercy of Comcast.
Maybe if you lived a little further north of Beantown, it was Charter or Spectrum that was tolling you hardcore every month with outrageous monthly bills that seemed to go up without notice.
Well, that’s over.
Now you can live stream NESN to your television or iPhone, and pay a lot less than what Comcast, Spectrum or any other cable company is charging.
This guide sets out to answer all the questions you might have about channel lineups, live streaming on a Roku and features like Cloud DVR.
By the time you finish reading this, you should have a decent rundown of everything you need to know, so you can finally kick Comcast to the curb and get NESN without cable.
What do I need to live stream NESN?
With live TV streaming services, you’re basically getting a cable channels that’s being fed to you through an Internet connection instead of a cable cord.
If you own a streaming device like a Roku, you already have what you need to live stream a Red Sox or Boston Bruins game. The same is true if you’re looking to stream NESN on Apple TV, Fire TV, Fire Stick, NVIDIA Shield TV, Chromecast with Google TV, iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones or PC.
A common complaint among would-be cord cutters is that you end up paying more for Internet when you drop for cable. Well, it’s time for you to bone up on your game. There’s a proven method for getting a decently-priced Internet-only deal.
Just read my guide about how to get Internet without cable, and you’ll learn how to get either at an introductory rate, or lower price than what’s being offered to you.
fuboTV: live stream NESN without cable
fuboTV started out as a sports-first platform, but has grown into a full fledged replacement for cable TV.
NESN and NESN Plus are among the latest regional sports networks included in the entry-level channel bundle.
If you’re a New Englander, you can expect to see WBZ (CBS), FOX 25, My 38, NECN, NBC Boston, NBC Sports Boston and NBCSN in your channel lineup. NBC Sports Boston has a number of Boston Celtics games throughout the season.
ESPN networks were recently added to fuboTV’s standard channel bundle. You’ll also be able to watch NFL games on CBS, NFL Network, FOX and NBC.
fuboTV also has TNT, TBS and other key networks for the rest of the NBA season.
The entry-level fubo bundle gives you 100+ channels for $59.99 per month. You can look over the channel lineup for your region before deciding whether to try it out.
fuboTV has been a key streaming service for soccer fans wanting beIN Sports, but it’s now expanding to offer a wide gamut of entertainment channels.
A&E, History, FX, FXM, FXX, National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Travel Channel and HGTV are part of the channel lineup. Sports channels include FS1, FS2, PAC-12, Big Ten Network, NBA TV and NFL Network.
fuboTV also has widespread support for activating apps on your streaming device. So you can activate the AMC app to catch up on an episode of Better Call Saul, or FXNOW for its vast menu of on-demand movies.
Baseball games on-demand with “look back”
A fubo bundlecomes with 30 hours of Cloud DVR. There’s a “lookback” feature, which shows games that played within the last 72 hours.
There are streaming apps for fuboTV on just about any streaming device, including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and NVIDIA Shield TV. The best app for fuboTV right now is on Roku, where you can find on-demand movies and an easy-to-use channel guide.
Here is a recent video I made about the best live TV streaming services, including a rundown of fuboTV. Note: The video shows the old price for fuboTV, but otherwise everything else is the same.
With the fuboTV mobile app, I can live stream NESN without any issues even when I turn off my WiFi and use my data. In other words, live streaming NESN when you’re away from home isn’t a problem. Just watch out for your data plan!
fuboTV has a free 7-day trial with no obligations or contracts.
AT&T TV: Live Stream NESN without cable
AT&T TV has NESN and NESN Plus in its Choice channel bundle.
And now, you can sign up for service, choose the “no contract” option and quickly start watching NESN live on a Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast or Apple TV.
But at $84.99 per month, the 90+ channel bundle is the most expensive option. HBO Max and NBA League Pass Premium is included free for a year.
So if you’re looking for an alternative to fuboTV, this is your only other option to stream Boston Bruins or Red Sox games live on NESN.
If you do sign up, you should know that you have to choose the “no contract” option during the account setup process. It’s not automatic.
If you opt for a two year contract, then the price drops to $69.99 per month for the Choice plan.
What if I want NESN outside of New England?
If you live outside of New England, you’re best shot at watching Red Sox games is by subscribing to MLB Extra Innings or MLB.TV.
NESN National is offered on AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS and a number of other pay-TV providers.
But according to NESN, you’re not going to get Red Sox games outside the home coverage area of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and Connecticut (excluding Fairfield County).
Can I live stream NESN on Sling TV?
No. Right now, there are no plans underway to add a NESN live stream to Sling TV. That could change.
Sean McGrail, NESN President and CEO, noted during an interview about the NESNGo app that live streaming is definitely part of the network’s long term strategic plan.
“For years, NESN has wanted to extend live streaming access to our viewers, so we couldn’t be more excited to launch NESNgo this season,” McGrail said. “This is a significant milestone in NESN history.”
Can I use the NESNGo app?
You can activate the NESNGo app and NESNGo.com using your fuboTV account credentials.
But if you’re using your fuboTV mobile app, then I might take a pass on NESNGo. I tried out the NESNgo app and website back when it launched, and I kept on having problems staying signed in. Things may have changed, but I think fubo provides a better viewing experience.
What’s the best way to live stream NESN without cable?
I think the better deal right now is with fuboTV because you’re getting NESN, NESN Plus and more local channels including CBS, FOX, My38, NECN, NBCSN and NBC Sports Boston.
You’ll get 100+ channels, 30 hours of Cloud DVR and the ability to sign in to apps on your streaming device. fuboTV has a unique “lookback” feature to catch up on games, and on-demand movies and shows.
You won’t have any restrictions with watching fuboTV on your iPhone or Android smartphone, so you can keep watching NESN while you’re outside your home.
fuboTV has a free 7-day trial without any obligation. You can check out fubo’s channel lineup before starting a free trial.
For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.
* This article was originally published Dec. 14, 2017, and has been updated to reflect new prices and channel lineups.
Founder and Editor of The Cord Cutting Report. Before launching the site in 2016, he worked for more than two decades as a staff writer or correspondent for a number of daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. His enthusiasm for tech began with the Atari 2600. Follow @james_kimble
That’s not true, NESN is still available on YouTubeTV.
Not anymore… I signed up for YouTube TV on Oct 30 and they dropped it on Oct 31… My timing is perfect.
YouTube TV went from $40/Month to $49.99 and no longer offers NESN and 6 other channels
How is this a better deal then with Cable? You people never include the cost of Internet. Its cheaper for me to get a package deal of internet/cable which includes local stations.
Try this, chief.
https://cordcuttingreport.com/compare-internet-service-providers/
I have had YouTubeTV for 8 months now, and still no sign of NESN. I had PS Vue a year before that, and could only view NESN through their app and not on Vue (via Roku or AndroidTV). So, I thought it may be the same way with YouTubeTV – so I re-downloaded the app on my phone and logged in as a YTTV subscriber (it was one of the handful of options available, as was Vue) – but when I chose a show to watch, it told me I was not authorized to view it. What gives? (I am in Atlanta)
Hey Kit, You need to be in New England in order to get NESN in your channel lineup with one exception. If you get PlayStation Vue with the Sports Pack bundle (as outlined above), then you will get NESN National, which carries Red Sox games. Remember, NESN is like any other regional sports channel — 99 percent of the time, you need to live in the coverage area for that network. Hope that helps.
I live in North Carolina how can I get nesn on live streaming
youtube TV is the cheapest way I can tell. I won’t pay that much just to get NESN though. Email NESN and tell them you are willing to pay directly, the more people tell them this the more they will consider unbundling.
Hey Glenn, Check out PlayStation Vue with the Sports Pack channel bundle as detailed above. That should get you NESN National and the ability to watch games.
If you signed up to YouTube TV or fuboTV outside of New England, you would not get NESN as part of your channel package.
And here we go…..YouTube Tv just added a few crappy channels and went up ten dollars………
Trying to view nesn through sling chrome cast but no luck please help I live in title town and need it thank s
Sling doesn’t have it. YoutubeTV does.
I feel like I’m being screwed again by streaming services that offer NESN. Fifty bucks a month to watch the red sox. All I want from a streaming service is NESN and ID and that’s fifty bucks still a rip off just like cable
How does Fubo TV work with Fire Stick? Does it?
fuboTV works well with the Fire Stick and all Fire TV devices. Just make sure you have a solid WiFi connection in your home if you don’t use an Ethernet cord to connect your device.
Have YouTube tv with Roku and still Nesn channel will not show Red Sox games.What is up with that??
Es YouTube TV work on Apple mobile devices?
How are any of these services at $40+ a month better than cable? All I want is NESN, not yet another bundle of crap channels. There is nothing in this article that is about cord cutting. You guys are going to the dark side.
The average cable bill is around $100 – $150 per month, and has added fees and guaranteed price increases once the promo rate is over. With a live streaming service priced at about $40, you’re saving some real money.
Nobody is offering NESN as a standalone channel. If there was such a thing, you’d read about it here.
I simply did this, Someone you know will always have cable and Nesn. If you cut the cord like I did. See if they can assign you a logon to their subscription. Down load the Nesn Go app to your mobile device. From there you can video cast it right to your TV. I personally use TV/Video cast app on my Amazon Fire Box. Your Nesn Streaming problems are over.
I live in the Providence/New Bedford area and YouTube TV definitely has NESN Plus for me. Maybe some areas only get NESN and not NESN Plus? Not really sure.
YouTube TV was working to stream Red Sox in Boston and Portland (ME), then it stopped working last week in both locations and we have black outs. Is this happening to anyone else? Would it work with a different subscription service?
Years ago I had Dish Network I am a Red Sox fan living in upstate NY I used a friends address in Mass as the dish location and my my address as the billing location as was suggested to me by the local company installing my equipment, The only channels I didn’t have were local ABC CBS and NBC my antenna covered that
No NESN is available for YoutubeTV in New Hampshire. Not sure why that is the case but it’s super lame.
Not sure where you are in NH, but you should double check your zip code in your settings. Sometimes that can carve out a channel that you should have. If no luck with YTTV, then try PS Vue or fuboTV. They have most of New England covered for NESN.
Any plans for adding Nesn to Direct now?
Haven’t heard any. I’ll be interested to see if NESN strikes any more deals in the months ahead. I’ll update this post if I hear something.
I bet it’s not available in Fairfield County CT.
I know that PS Vue had good coverage of NESN in CT when I was using it. But honestly, the best way to find out it by going to each site for Vue, fuboTV and YouTube TV. These sites either let you punch in your zip code or use your IP address to show you what a channel lineup looks like in your area.
44 a month, gee, this is supposed to be better than cable?
This is what I’m saying. I cut the cord to get away from oversized packages of channels I don’t want. I want two channels right now, NESN and NBCSN. $40/mo is insanity. Guess I’ll miss the non-NBC playoff games this year.
I tried youtube tv to watch NESN for some bruins games and I didn’t like the quality. I couldn’t see the puck on the ice at all. Ill try the other free trials too
When does HULU ?TV plan to add NESN Red Sox games?
I haven’t heard anything about that, but I’m not exactly plugged in with the Hulu folks. If I hear something, I’ll update.