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:
| Provider | Package | Intro price |
| DIRECTV | CHOICE | $29.99/mo. |
| DISH | America's Top 200 | $39.99/mo. |
| Verizon Fios | Extreme HD | N/A |
| XFINITY | Digital Preferred | $49.99/mo. |
| AT&T U-verse | U200 | $44/mo. |
| Time Warner Cable (Spectrum) | Preferred TV | $64.99/mo. |
| Frontier | Extreme HD | N/A |
| CenturyLink | Prism Essential | N/A |
| Cox | Advanced TV | N/A |
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:
| Provider | Package | Intro price |
| DIRECTV | XTRA | $34.99/mo. |
| DISH | America's Top 200 | $39.99/mo. |
| Verizon Fios | Extreme HD | N/A |
| XFINITY | Digital Preferred | $49.99/mo. |
| AT&T U-verse | U200 | $44/mo. |
| Time Warner Cable (Spectrum) | Preferred TV | $64.99/mo. |
| Frontier | Extreme HD | N/A |
| CenturyLink | Prism Essential | N/A |
| Cox | Advanced TV | N/A |
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.
| Provider | Package | Intro price |
| DIRECTV | CHOICE | $29.99/mo. |
| DISH | America's Top 200 | $39.99/mo. |
| Verizon Fios | Extreme HD | N/A |
| XFINITY | Digital Preferred | $49.99/mo. |
| AT&T U-verse | U200 | $44/mo. |
| Time Warner Cable (Spectrum) | Preferred TV | $64.99/mo. |
| Frontier | Extreme HD | N/A |
| CenturyLink | Prism Essential | N/A |
| Cox | Advanced TV | N/A |
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.
| Provider | Package | Intro price |
| DIRECTV | XTRA | $34.99/mo. |
| DISH | America's Top 200 | $39.99/mo. |
| Verizon Fios | Extreme HD | N/A |
| XFINITY | Digital Preferred | $49.99/mo. |
| AT&T U-verse | U200 | $44/mo. |
| Time Warner Cable (Spectrum) | Preferred TV | $64.99/mo. |
| Frontier | Extreme HD | N/A |
| CenturyLink | Prism Essential | N/A |
| Cox | Advanced TV | N/A |
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. If you like or don’t like this article, or want us to do something similar (e.g., a TV package and pricing guide for European Soccer… should we do it?) let us know.