Quick Guide: Pro Sports Channels and TV Packages

Kyle Lemmon
Kyle Lemmon
Managing Editor
See all articles
Dec 11, 2019

When we select a TV package, we want to make sure it has the sports channels we want. As we’ve been researching TV providers, we’ve realized it’s not as easy as it should be to find those channels. So, we created this quick guide to make it easier to find your favorite pro sports channels.

For example, if you’re interested in NBA TV, jump to the NBA section to see packages and pricing from a variety of TV providers. We’ve separated each section by “official” professional sports channels, and don’t worry… we made sure every package includes ESPN.

NFL Network

The NFL Network is the official channel of the National Football League. It has live games, live and postgame coverage, and exclusive NFL programming, including NFL Total Access, Hard Knocks, and NFL Gameday.

Note: the NFL Network is NOT the NFL SUNDAY TICKET. The NFL SUNDAY TICKET is an “out-of-market” sports package for regular season games that is only available on DIRECTV.

Here’s where you can get the NFL Network:

NFL Network Availability
PlanServicePriceDetails
CHOICE All-IncludedDIRECTV TV$69.99*View Plan
America's Top 200DISH TV$84.99/mo.†View Plan
PreferredVerizon TV - Fios Gig$74.99‡View Plan
Digital PreferredXfinity TV - West$89.49^View Plan
U200u-verse-tv$55°View Plan
TV SilverSpectrum TV$69.99**View Plan
Contour TVCox TV$69.99††View Plan
Data effective 11/19/18. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
* /mo. for 12 mos plus taxes. Autopay & Paperless bill reqd. Prices higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $9.99/mo. is extra & applies.
† for 24. months. Everyday Price $109.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.
‡ plus taxes, equip. charges & other fees
^ With No Term Agreement
° /mo. for 12 mos plus taxes
** Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV® Silver promotion price is $69.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $16.45/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required, charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability.
†† For the first 12 months.

NBA TV

NBA TV is the official channel of the National Basketball Association. It has live games (exhibition, regular, and playoff), live and postgame coverage, and exclusive NBA programming, such as NBA Gametime Live.

Here’s where you can get NBA TV:

NBA TV Availability
PlanServicePriceDetails
XTRA All-IncludedDIRECTV TV$79.99*View Plan
America's Top 200DISH TV$84.99/mo.†View Plan
ExtremeVerizon TV - Fios Gig$79.99‡View Plan
Digital PreferredXfinity TV - West$89.49^View Plan
U300u-verse-tv$60°View Plan
TV SilverSpectrum TV$69.99**View Plan
Contour TVCox TV$69.99††View Plan
Data effective 11/19/18. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
* /mo. for 12 mos plus taxes. Autopay & Paperless bill reqd. Prices higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $9.99/mo. is extra & applies.
† for 24. months. Everyday Price $109.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.
‡ plus taxes, equip. charges & other fees
^ With No Term Agreement
° /mo. for 12 mos plus taxes
** Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV® Silver promotion price is $69.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $16.45/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required, charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability.
†† For the first 12 months.

MLB Network

MLB Network is the official channel of Major League Baseball. It has live games (several a week), live and postgame coverage, and exclusive MLB programming, such as MLB Tonight and MLB Network Showcase.

Here’s where you can get the MLB Network:

MLB Network Availability
PlanServicePriceDetails
CHOICE All-IncludedDIRECTV TV$69.99*View Plan
America's Top 200DISH TV$84.99/mo.†View Plan
ExtremeVerizon TV - Fios Gig$79.99‡View Plan
Digital PreferredXfinity TV - West$89.49^View Plan
U300u-verse-tv$60°View Plan
TV SilverSpectrum TV$69.99**View Plan
Contour TVCox TV$69.99††View Plan
Data effective 11/19/18. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
* /mo. for 12 mos plus taxes. Autopay & Paperless bill reqd. Prices higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $9.99/mo. is extra & applies.
† for 24. months. Everyday Price $109.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.
‡ plus taxes, equip. charges & other fees
^ With No Term Agreement
° /mo. for 12 mos plus taxes
** Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV® Silver promotion price is $69.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $16.45/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required, charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability.
†† For the first 12 months.

NHL Network

NHL Network is the official channel of the National Hockey League. It has live games (NHL regular season, NCAA college hockey, World Junior Championship), live and postgame coverage, and exclusive NHL programming, such as NHL on the Fly, NHL Tonight, and NHL Live!.

Here’s where you can get the NHL Network.

NHL Network Availability
PlanServicePriceDetails
XTRA All-IncludedDIRECTV TV$79.99*View Plan
America's Top 200DISH TV$84.99/mo.†View Plan
ExtremeVerizon TV - Fios Gig$79.99‡View Plan
Digital PreferredXfinity TV - West$89.49^View Plan
U450u-verse-tv$110°View Plan
TV GoldSpectrum TV$89.99‡‡View Plan
Contour TVCox TV$69.99††View Plan
Data effective 11/19/18. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
* /mo. for 12 mos plus taxes. Autopay & Paperless bill reqd. Prices higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $9.99/mo. is extra & applies.
† for 24. months. Everyday Price $109.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.
‡ plus taxes, equip. charges & other fees
^ With No Term Agreement
° /mo. for 12 mos plus taxes
‡‡ Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV® Gold promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $16.45/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required, charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability.
†† For the first 12 months.

Our recommendation

DIRECTV is the best option for fans of all sports, whether you’re a football fan, basketball fan, or hockey fan DIRECTV offers affordable packages. While DISH is a fierce competitor, pricing will utlimately depend on where you live.

Which provider do you stand by for sports watching? Let us know in the comments!

OUR PICK
DIRECTV TV
Connection Type:
Satellite
Available channels:
330
Starting at $59.99 a month
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Kyle Lemmon
Written by
Kyle Lemmon
Kyle has an unquenchable curiosity for how technology works. For the better part of a decade, he’s tested, torn apart, and talked about the lastest home security, internet, and TV-related tech. When he’s not digging in with the Reviews team, Kyle serves as Craig's underling a panelist on The Legendarium Podcast where he reviews science fiction and fantasy literature.
Kyle has an unquenchable curiosity for how technology works. For the better part of a decade, he’s tested, torn apart, and talked about the lastest home security, internet, and TV-related tech. When he’s not digging in with the Reviews team, Kyle serves as Craig's underling a panelist on The Legendarium Podcast where he reviews science fiction and fantasy literature.