How to NBC Sports Boston without cable

I’ve scrutinized and tried out every streaming service that offers NBC Sports Boston, ensuring you get precise, actionable information. My approach is to offer clear, unbiased advice, enabling you to choose the best streaming option for enjoying Celtics games.

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NBC Sports Boston is a key channel watching the Boston Celtics live, and you can stream the network without a cable TV subscription. 

I’ve tested out and scrutinized every streaming service that offers NBC Sports Boston, ensuring you get precise, actionable information. My approach is to offer clear, unbiased advice, enabling you to choose the best streaming option for enjoying Celtics games and more, without the need for a cable subscription.

NBC Sports Boston is a regional sports network primarily focusing on Boston’s major sports teams.

This includes in-depth coverage of the Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Bruins. While Bruins and Red Sox games are on NESN, Celtics games are on NBC Sports Boston. The channel provides a mix of live game broadcasts, detailed analysis, and up-to-date news, making it a go-to source for sports enthusiasts in the Boston area.

Where can I watch NBC Sports Boston?

As long as you live in the Boston market (essentially New England), you can use a streaming service to watch NBC Sports Boston without cable TV.

NBC Sports Boston is available on live TV streaming services throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, central Connecticut and eastern and central Connecticut.

The channel also has the rights to the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. 

Stream NBC Sports Boston live on Roku or Fire TV Stick

You can stream NBC Sports Boston using Smart TV or a streaming device such as Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV Stick. You just need to have an Internet connection and download the app to the service you sign up for.

DIRECTV STREAM

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Entertainment$79.99/month75+
Choice$108.99/month105+
Ultimate$119.99/month140+
Premier$164.99/month150+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia

DIRECTV STREAM has NBC Sports Boston in the Choice plan.

The Choice plan is the entry-level package that includes NBC Sports Boston. A subscription costs $108.99 per month for 105 channels. NESN, TNT, ESPN and NBA TV and local channels are included in the Choice lineup.

You get unlimited Cloud DVR and options to record games from specific sports teams.

The Choice package has a wide selection of sports channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and Big Ten Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels for $99.99 per month. 

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including locals, and sports channels such as NHL Network. The Ultimate package is $109.99 per month. 

The Premier package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime. A subscription is $154.99 per month.

The Entertainment package has more than 75 channels, but it does not carry regional sports channels such as NBC Sports Boston or NESN.

Subscribers to Entertainment, Choice or Ultimate can get three months of Max, Showtime, Cinemax and MGM+ for free before the monthly rates kick in.

All subscribers get unlimited hours of Cloud DVR storage and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.

You can watch live TV on unlimited screens within your home. There are no contracts. You can subscribe month to month and cancel whenever you want. 

DIRECTV STREAM is ideal for viewers seeking a broad selection of channels, surpassing fuboTV’s sports-focused lineup with a more diverse range of entertainment options. Though pricier, it’s perfect for those desiring a comprehensive package similar to traditional cable.

Hulu + Live TV

  • Sign up & get Disney+ and ESPN+ included
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR (9 mos.)
  • Two simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Hulu + Live TV$76.99/month90+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV.

Hulu with Live TV has ESPN, NBC Sports Boston, TNT and local channels such as ABC. It has all the channels you will need to watch every Celtics game.

The live TV package has 90 channels, Disney+ Hulu’s on-demand library and ESPN+. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR to record shows, movies and sporting events. It has all the channels you will need to watch every Celtics game this season.

You can watch live TV on two screens at once. And if you’re using a Roku, Apple TV or Fire TV, you can use your Hulu subscription to activate dozens of apps. A subscription costs $76.99 per month. 

Hulu with Live TV suits Celtics fans who also value a mix of sports and entertainment, including Hulu’s extensive on-demand library, a feature not offered by YouTube TV. It’s a great choice for households looking for both live and on-demand content.

Fubo

  • Free trial
  • 1,000 hours Cloud DVR
  • 10 simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Pro$74.99/month182
Elite $84.99/month248
Premier$94.99/month257 & Showtime
Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox One, along with Smart TVs by Hisense, Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast TV. Android, iPhones and iPads with current iOS.

Fubo (formerly fuboTV) has 182 channels including NBC Sports Boston, NESN, ESPN, FS1 and local FOX, ABC, CBS and NBC stations.  

New England sports fans get NESN and NESN Plus with their subscription. The Fubo starter plan costs $74.99 per month. Subscribers can watch live TV on 10 screens at a time.

You will be able to record games using 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR. The “lookback” feature also maintains an on-demand style menu for games that aired in the last 72 hours. 

A regional sports fee is included, and costs between $10.99 to $13.99 per month. 

The Elite plan is $84.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Premier plan has 231 channels, including Showtime, for $94.99 per month. There are no contracts or obligations if you don’t like the service. 

Fubo is excellent for dedicated sports fans, offering a sports-centric channel lineup including NESN. It provides more sports-focused content compared to Hulu with Live TV, ideal for those primarily interested in regional sports coverage.

YouTube TV

  • Free trial
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Three simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
YouTube TV$72.99/month128
Device support: Android TV, Google TV, Smart TVs by Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Hisense, Sharp and Sony; Chromecast, Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation and Google Nest Hub; Android and iOS devices.

YouTube TV has a long roster of regional sports networks, including NBC Sports Boston. A subscription costs $72.99 per month.

The base plan has 128 channels offering a mix of sports networks, news and entertainment channels.

The YouTube TV base plan carries other key sports channels for fans such as TNT, TBS, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and MLB Network. YouTube TV carries regional NBC Sports networks across the U.S. ESPN, FOX and TNT are part of the channel lineup. You can watch live TV on three screens at once.

You’ll be able to watch CNN, Golf Channel and HGTV. Unlimited Cloud DVR is included with a subscription. And you can create up to 6 profiles for a household per account.

The service works with Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield TV, Apple TV and Chromecast.

YouTube TV is recommended for Celtics fans seeking a comprehensive sports and entertainment package, including multiple regional sports networks. It’s a solid alternative to fuboTV for those preferring a broader variety of channels.

What’s the best way to watch NBC Sports Boston without cable?

STREAMING SERVICESPROSCONS
DIRECTV STREAMComprehensive channel lineup, unlimited DVR, multiple package options. Includes NESN and NESN Plus.Higher monthly cost, extra fee for premium channels
Hulu with Live TVIncludes ESPN, NBC Sports Boston, TNT, Disney+, and Hulu’s on-demand librarySingle plan option, higher cost
fuboTVWide range of channels including regional sports, 1,000 hours of DVR, “lookback” feature. Includes NESN and NESN Plus.Regional sports fee applies, higher base price.
YouTube TVExtensive range of channels, unlimited DVR, supports multiple screensSingle plan option. No NESN.

Considering the balance between channel variety and cost, Fubo offers a comprehensive package for New England sports fans, including NBC Sports Boston and NESN. However, for those who prioritize a wider range of channels including premium options, DIRECTV STREAM’s Choice package is a more suitable option, albeit at a higher price point.

How to Watch NBC Sports Boston FAQs

  1. Does Peacock have NBC Sports Boston?
    • No, Peacock does not offer NBC Sports Boston. For Celtics fans and those interested in New England sports, Peacock currently doesn’t include regional sports networks like NBC Sports Boston in its lineup. The Premium Plus plan only offers a local NBC station.
  2. Is NBC Sports Boston free?
    • NBC Sports Boston is not available for free. To access this channel without cable or satellite, you need a subscription to a streaming service such as DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV. These services provide access to NBC Sports Boston as part of their paid packages.
  3. Does Sling TV have NBC Sports Boston?
    • Sling TV does not carry NBC Sports Boston in its channel lineup. For those specifically looking to watch NBC Sports Boston, options like DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV would be more suitable choices.

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.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.

1 thought on “How to NBC Sports Boston without cable”

  1. Hi Jim,
    Thank you for the specs & costs on each streaming option. I do wish NBC Sports Boston would allow a subscription to stream.
    I believe that sports should be free or low cost for all to watch as it is a community benefit (they were when I was growing up).

    Reply

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