To watch in-market Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago White Sox games, your go-to is NBC Sports Chicago.
This channel is the primary option for local games and is available through Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, and DIRECTV STREAM. Alongside NBC Sports Chicago, these streaming services offer popular sports channels like ESPN, TNT, and FS1.
For those in the Chicago area, subscribing to one of these services means you also get a variety of local networks, including ABC’s WLS-TV, NBC’s WMAQ-TV, CBS’s WBBM-TV, and FOX’s WFLD.
Millions of sports fans continue to cut the cord from cable, causing a huge disruption with regional sports networks (RSNs). So, I am breaking down the most current streaming details on how to watch NBC Sports Chicago for Blackhawks and White Sox games. I’ll also show you which services include Marquee Sports Network for Chicago Cubs fans.
How to Stream NBC Sports Chicago on Your TV
| Service | Free Trial | Monthly Price | Key Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV STREAM | 5-day | $108.99 | NBC Sports Chicago, Marquee Sports Network, ESPN, FS1, TNT, MLB Network, NBA TV, TBS, FOX |
| Hulu with Live TV | No | $76.99 | NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, NBC, CBS, Bravo, Food Network, National Geographic |
| Fubo | 7-day | $79.99 (+$11.99 or $14.99 RSN fee) | NBC Sports Chicago, Marquee Sports Network, AMC, A&E, BET, CBS, FOX, FS1, FS2 |
| YouTube TV | 7-day | $72.99 | NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN, FOX News, ABC, CBS, TNT, TBS, SEC Network, ACC Network, FS1 |
You likely have all the TV-related hardware you need to stream NBC Sports Chicago without a cable plan. You need a good internet connection and either a Smart TV or a streaming device such as a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV Stick. These devices work well with the streaming services we’ve mentioned.
For gamers, an Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or PlayStation lets you get live TV. Also, using an iPhone, iPad (with the latest iOS), or a computer makes streaming easy.
Remember, NBC Sports Chicago was once Comcast SportsNet Chicago until its rebranding in late 2018. The sports coverage stayed the same, only the name changed.
Streaming NBC Sports Chicago is only possible if you live within the local TV market. So it’s limited to fans in Illinois, Northwest Indiana, Iowa, Southern Wisconsin, and Southwest Michigan. The availability of games for specific teams or leagues might vary based on your location.
For NHL or MLB fans outside the Chicago market, ESPN+ offers a more affordable option to catch live games. At $10.99 per month, ESPN+ features out-of-market NHL and daily MLB games during the regular season.
DIRECTV STREAM: Watch NBC Sports Chicago Without Cable
DIRECTV STREAM offers NBC Sports Chicago along with all the channels you need for Chicago sports. The Choice package is $108.99 per month for 105 channels.
The package includes Marquee Sports Network, ESPN, FS1, MLB Network, NBA TV, TNT, TBS, and FOX. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR and over 50,000 on-demand movies and TV shows.
New subscribers can get three months of Max, Showtime, Cinemax, and MGM+ for free. Watch on as many screens as you like, even away from home.
Try it with a free 5-day trial. DIRECTV STREAM is flexible with month-to-month subscriptions, and it’s compatible with Roku, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, and mobile devices.
Before you commit, take a moment to compare the channel lineups.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | $79.99/month | 75+ |
| Choice | $108.99/month | 105+ |
| Ultimate | $119.99/month | 140+ |
| Premier | $164.99/month | 150+ |
Hulu with Live TV: Streaming NBC Sports Chicago Online
Hulu with Live TV has a diverse channel selection, featuring ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, alongside local networks like NBC and CBS, and entertainment channels. With over 90 live TV channels, including Bravo, Food Network, and National Geographic, subscribers get entertainment, sports and local channels.
Subscribers get access to ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu’s on-demand library, all supported by ads. ESPN+ adds a variety of live sports, offering out-of-market MLB and NHL games, PGA Tour, college basketball, and IPL Cricket.
The service is priced at $76.99 per month. It includes unlimited Cloud DVR for recording live TV and allows streaming on two screens simultaneously.
Using a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV? Your Hulu subscription also activates channel-specific apps. Compatible with all major streaming devices, Hulu makes it easy to start streaming all your favorite sports and TV shows.
Before subscribing, review Hulu’s Live TV channel lineup for your region to make an informed choice.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | $76.99/month | 90+ |
| Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | $89.99/month | 90+ |
Fubo: Get NBC Sports Chicago and Marquee Sports Network
Fubo (formerly FuboTV) offers NBC Sports Chicago along with Marquee Sports Network and local Chicago TV stations.
Not just for sports fans, Fubo’s Pro plan includes 189 channels such as Discovery Channel, Great American Family, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, and SyFy. Subscribers get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR and the ability to stream on 10 screens simultaneously.
The channel lineup features Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network, PAC-12 Networks, beIN Sports, CBS Networks, FS1, and FS2.
For local channels, you can expect ABC’s WLS-TV, CBS’s WBBM-TV, FOX’s WFLD, and NBC’s WMAQ-TV.
The Pro plan is $79.99 per month, with an additional regional sports fee of $11.99 per month for one RSN, or $14.99 for two RSNs.
Try Fubo with a free 7-day trial to see if it suits your needs. You can cancel online if you decide not to keep your subscription. Fubo supports a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Fire Stick, and NVIDIA Shield TV.
You can review Fubo’s channel lineup for more information about plans, add-on bundles and pricing.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| Pro | $79.99/month | 189 |
| Elite | $89.99/month | 255 |
| Premier | $99.99/month | 264 & Showtime |
YouTube TV: NBC Sports Chicago Live Stream
YouTube TV includes 128 channels in its base plan, covering ESPN, FOX News, and local channels like ABC and CBS. A subscription to the Base plan costs $72.99 per month.
This service doesn’t skimp on sports, offering TNT, TBS, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, FS1, and FS2.
With CNN, Golf Channel, and FX included in the channel lineup, you are essentially getting the next best thing to a cable plan. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR and the option to create up to 6 profiles per household.
Compatible with a range of devices including Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield TV, Apple TV, and more.
You can start with a free 7-day trial before becoming a subscriber, or look over YouTube TV’s channels. Just be sure to cancel before the free trial ends if you do not want a YouTube TV subscription.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $72.99/month | 128 |
Watch Chicago Sports for Free with a TV Antenna
Chicago sports fans have a cost-free option for watching nationally televised games on local broadcast channels like FOX and ABC by using a TV antenna. However, it’s important to understand that NBC Sports Chicago is a cable network and cannot be accessed over-the-air with an antenna.
You can read my review on the best TV antennas to help you pick the right one for your home.
FAQs: Streaming NBC Sports Chicago Without Cable
Can I stream NBC Sports Chicago?
Yes, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, and YouTube TV include NBC Sports Chicago in their lineups, featuring local NBA, NHL, and MLB games.
Does Sling TV offer NBC Sports Chicago?
No, Sling TV does not include NBC Sports Chicago. However, it offers other sports networks like ESPN, FS1, and FOX (in select areas), covering MLB, NBA, and NHL games.
Is NBC Sports Chicago available on Peacock?
As of now, NBC Sports Chicago isn’t on Peacock. NBCUniversal is considering adding regional NBC Sports networks to Peacock, as reported by Bloomberg in December 2022. The discussions are ongoing, focusing on streaming rights with teams and leagues.
Can I watch the Chicago Blackhawks on ESPN+?
For fans outside the Chicago market, ESPN+ is a budget-friendly option for watching Chicago Blackhawks games, priced at $10.99 per month. ESPN+ offers a range of professional and college sports not available on traditional cable networks.
Can I watch NBC Sports Chicago on a TV antenna?
No, NBC Sports Chicago is a cable TV network, not an over-the-air broadcast channel. Chicago-area sports fans can stream NBC Sports Chicago through DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV and Fubo.
Are there any free options for streaming NBC Sports Chicago?
There are some free options for streaming NBC Sports Chicago, but they are limited. You can get a free trial of Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM, but you will be billed for a subscription once the trial ends if you do not cancel online beforehand.
You can watch nationally televised games on local broadcast channels like FOX and ABC using a TV antenna. However, NBC Sports Chicago is a cable network and cannot be accessed over-the-air with an antenna.
What’s the best way to get NBC Sports Chicago without cable?
Chicago area sports fans have a number of options to stream NBC Sports Chicago without a cable plan. Here are my two picks to consider:
Fubo includes both NBC Sports Chicago, Marquee Sports Network and local Chicago TV stations for $94.98 when you factor in the RSN fee. That’s cheaper than the DIRECTV STREAM Choice bundle (at $108.99/mo.), and you get more channels. You can try Fubo with a 7-day free trial.
Hulu Live TV is a great deal as well because you are getting the added subscriptions for ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu’s deep on-demand library of movies and TV shows. You’re essentially getting multiple streaming services with live TV package for $76.99 per month. Hulu offers no free trial at this time, but comes in at a competitive price.
Methodology
I spend hundreds of hours throughout the year conducting hands-on testing of streaming services, including Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV. I do the same rigorous testing for TV antennas and TV-related hardware. Check out the review policy to see how I compare products and services. The Cord Cutting Report is a reader-supported publication, and may earn affiliate commissions when you pick a streaming service through a recommendation. Read our affiliate policy for more information.
you can no longer watch cbs sports chicago on sling..the contract was terminated.. I had sling just for that purpose, and they took it away.. now I’m looking for another spot, but it still says Sling on here, so I’m sure most streaming companies don’t carry it anymore