7 Cable-Free Ways to Watch ROOT Sports for 2024

Seattle Mariners and Seattle Kraken fans residing in their favorite teams’ local market now have the opportunity to enjoy ROOT Sports Northwest without the necessity of cable. As of 2024, there are two primary live TV streaming services offering this network, each with their own attractive features and free trial options.

• Fubo, with its extensive selection of 189 channels, caters to a diverse audience offering sports, entertainment, and news in its Pro Plan. This plan is priced at $79.99 per month, supplemented by a regional sports network (RSN) fee, which varies based on your location.

• DIRECTV STREAM includes ROOT Sports Northwest in its Choice package. This package has over 105 channels, featuring a rich array of sports, news, and entertainment options. Priced at $108.99 per month, it does not include an RSN fee.

While YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, or Sling TV don’t feature ROOT Sports Northwest, the alternatives don’t end with Fubo Pro and DIRECTV STREAM Choice. Options such as Fubo Elite, Fubo Premier, and DIRECTV STREAM Ultimate also include ROOT Sports, broadening the choices for Mariners and Kraken fans.

Out-of-market NHL fans can subscribe to the budget-friendly ESPN+ to watch Seattle Kraken games that air on ROOT Sports. A subscription is $10.99 per month.

Rooted deeply in the Pacific Northwest, ROOT Sports Northwest is synonymous with exclusive coverage of Seattle Mariners and Seattle Kraken games.

I have been using live TV streaming services to watch regional sports networks since 2017 on services such as the now-defunct PlayStation Vue. My aim is to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible so you can decide how to watch ROOT Sports without being tied to the pricing of a cable or satellite package.

Fubo tailors its channel offerings to sports enthusiasts, offering ROOT Sports to Pro, Elite and Premier subscribers.

Pro

The entry-level Pro plan, priced at $74.99 per month, includes around 189 channels. Sports fans can enjoy channels like ESPN, Big Ten Network, NFL Network, ACC Network, and SEC Network.

This package also includes comprehensive coverage of Bally and NBC regional sports channels, along with beIN Sports 4-8 and Bleav Sports. Subscribers won’t need a TV antenna for local channels because they have access to local FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS stations, as well as 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR storage and the ability to stream on 10 screens at once.

Elite

The Elite plan, available for $89.99 per month, offers around 255 channels, including all channels from the Pro plan. It enriches the sports viewing experience with the fubo Extra bundle, which adds channels like MAVTV, a motorsports network, and additional sports content in the News Plus bundle. Elite subscribers also get access to some 4K content, including games on FS1 and FOX.

Premier

For the ultimate sports package, the Premier plan at $99.99 per month includes over 264 channels. This plan encompasses all offerings from the Elite plan and adds premium content like SHOWTIME sports channels. Notably, the Premier plan includes the Sports Plus bundle, featuring sought-after channels for sports aficionados such as NFL RedZone, MLB Network, NHL Network, NBA TV, SportsGrid, and World Poker Tour.

Sports Plus add-on

Fubo offers a specialized Sports Plus add-on, priced at $10.99 per month, which can be added to any of the main channel bundles.

Key channels in the Sports Plus add-on include NFL RedZone, offering extensive NFL game coverage, especially useful on Sundays for a comprehensive look at all live games. For soccer fans, beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS XTRA provide a range of international football matches, including top leagues and tournaments.

Sports Plus also features channels like regional Pac-12 Networks, Billiard TV, FOX Soccer Plus, and MAVTV Motorsports Network, covering niche sports from billiards and international soccer to motorsports. Additionally, channels like NFL RedZone, Outside TV+, PlayersTV, PokerGO+, SportsGrid, Stadium, FanDuel TV, VSiN, Fight Network, and Impact Wrestling round out the offering.

All plans come with varying regional sports fees, dependent on the number of regional sports networks available in your area.

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has ROOT Sports in three of its channel packages along with other cable networks that are important to NBA and NHL fans. The Entertainment Plan, priced at $79.99 per month, is the entry-level option, but it does not include any RSNs.

Choice

The Choice plan has more than 105 channels for $108.99 per month. 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.

For sports enthusiasts with a focus on basketball and hockey, the DIRECTV STREAM Choice plan includes the following channels: ESPN, ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, FOX Sports 1 (FS1), FOX Sports 2 (FS2), NBA TV, NFL Network, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, and ESPNU. 

These channels offer live games, expert analysis, and in-depth coverage of both NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL. In addition to these sports-focused channels, the plan also offers a wide range of entertainment channels like AMC, HGTV, and Comedy Central.

Ultimate

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including locals, and sports channels such as NHL Network. The Ultimate package is $119.99 per month.

The DIRECTV STREAM Ultimate package includes several channels not found in the Choice bundle. These channels are FOX Sports 2, fyi, Golf Channel, LMN, LOGO HD, MGM, NHL Network, Oxygen, Revolt, STARZ (East), Sundance TV, Tennis Channel, TVG, and Universal Kids.

The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime.

Premier

In the DIRECTV STREAM Premier package, there are several exclusive channels not available in the Ultimate, or Choice bundles. 

The Premier package encompasses all sports channels from the Ultimate package and adds premium sports content through channels like Max and Cinemax that occasionally broadcast sports-related documentaries and series. Additionally, Premier package includes various STARZ channels.

This package is designed for viewers who want the most comprehensive sports, entertainment, and premium programming. A subscription is $164.99 per month.

Sports Pack add-on

A key highlight for sports enthusiasts is the DIRECTV STREAM Sports Pack, available for an additional $14.99 per month. This pack can be added to any channel package, including Entertainment, Choice, Premier, and Ultimate.

It encompasses a wide range of sports channels such as NFL Network, NFL RedZone, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPNews, ESPNU, FanDuel TV, FS2, Golf Channel, Longhorn Network, MLB Network, MLB Strike Zone, NBA TV, Next Level Sports, NHL Network, Outdoor Channel, SEC Network, Sportsman Channel, Tennis Channel, TUDN, Willow, and Willow Xtra.

In summary, DIRECTV STREAM presents a diverse range of options for sports fans, from the basic Entertainment Plan to the all-encompassing Premier Plan, with the flexibility to add the Sports Pack for a customized sports viewing experience​​.

ESPN+ has become a go-to streaming service for those looking to catch NHL games, including the Seattle Kraken, from outside their market area. A subscription at $10.99 per month turns in the ESPN app into a wallet-friendly engine of sports streaming.

According to NHL.com, “The majority of our games will be broadcast regionally on ROOT SPORTS (for fans out of market, these games will be available on ESPN+/Hulu). Nationally broadcast games will NOT be available on ROOT SPORTS.”

For Kraken fans who are not in the Seattle area, ESPN+ provides an excellent opportunity to follow their team’s games live, which might not be otherwise available on local or national television broadcasts.

In addition to NHL games, ESPN+ includes a variety of other sports leagues and events, from UFC and college sports to soccer leagues like the Spanish La Liga and the German Bundesliga. This makes ESPN+ not just a haven for hockey fans but also a one-stop-shop for diverse sports content.

The platform has proven itself in the last few years by offering a rich on-demand library, and a multitude of other sports categories like basketball, football, baseball, and more.

The service is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Android and Apple devices, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, LG Smart TV, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Xbox, ensuring easy access regardless of your preferred streaming setup.

ESPN+ is an excellent choice for Kraken fans living outside of Seattle. Its extensive coverage of out-of-market NHL games, alongside a variety of other sports content, makes it a valuable service for sports fans seeking budget-friendly sports coverage.

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.