Will hockey fans be able to follow the NHL on Hulu this season? Yes!
Before we dig in, let’s clear up some potential confusion…
On-demand Hulu is a Video Streaming Service that gives access to thousands of full seasons of television series and motion pictures as well as Hulu Original productions. It costs $6.99/month for an ad-supported version or $12.99 for no ads. Usually, there is no live programming, but NHL hockey will be a rare exception.
Hulu Live TV is a Live TV Streaming Service with more than 70 channels for $64.99/month. This plan includes local channels, 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Hulu’s plan includes more than any other streaming service under $65. Subscribers will be able to watch NHL national broadcasts through ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, and TBS. Hulu Live TV includes the on-demand Hulu product.
Since Disney owns Hulu and ESPN+, Hulu offers some NHL games as a part of any subscription.
Customers have four separate NHL options when watching Hulu:
| Service | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| On-demand Hulu | $6.99-$12.99 | 75+ National Games (simulcast on ESPN+) |
| Hulu & Disney+ & ESPN+ | $13.99-$19.99 | 75+ National Games (simulcast on Hulu), 11 National Games (simulcast on ABC), 2 National Games (season opener, simulcast on ESPN), 1,000+ out-of-market games |
| Hulu Live TV & Disney+ & ESPN+ | $72.99-$78.99 | Everything above plus 72 games on TNT and TBS |
| Hulu Live TV alone | $64.99-$70.99 | Everything above but not 1,000+ out-of-market games on ESPN+ |
So for the most hockey, sign up for the bundle that gives you Hulu Live TV, ESPN+, and Disney+.
Nationally Televised Hockey Games
Nationally televised hockey games can now be found on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, or ABC. In addition, some non-exclusive games will be available on NHL Network. NHL Network is not available through Hulu.
Turner Sports will carry 72 regular-season NHL games on TNT and TBS, while ESPN will carry 100 nationally-televised games each season. 75 of those games will be carried exclusively on ESPN+, while the rest will be found on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC.
Some of the games carried on these networks will be exclusive and not available on local RSNs. The Turner and ESPN networks will also be needed to watch all of the games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. NHL Network will carry about 100 non-exclusive NHL games over the course of the season.
Blackouts will apply to the national broadcasters in the event any game they are carrying is also available on your local Regional Sports Network.
| DTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | Get 50% OFF | Sign Up | |||
| $79.99 | $94.99 | $76.99 | $28 | $40 | $40 | $72.99 | ||
| ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| ESPN2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| ABC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TNT | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TBS | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NHL Network | + $15 | + $8 | - | - | + $11 | + $11 | - | |
Regional Sports Networks
Most local NHL game broadcasts will be found on hockey fans’ Regional Sports Networks (RSNs). Only coverage from some Regional Sports Networks can be found on Hulu Live TV.
Hulu Live TV has access NHL home team coverage from the NBC Regional Sports Networks, including NBC Sports California (San Jose Sharks), NBC Sports Chicago (Chicago Blackhawks), NBC Sports Philadelphia (Philadelphia Flyers), NBC Sports Washington (Washington Capitals).
Fans interested in RSN coverage from other NHL teams would need to subscribe to a different Live TV Streaming Service like DIRECTV STREAM.
TBD
Fox Sports RSNs Rebranding As Bally Sports
The former Fox Sports RSNs have been rebranded as Bally Sports RSNs. As a result of this rebranding, some of them have been shut down or changed region.
How to Stream Canadian NHL Teams in the U.S.
The best option for hockey fans in the United States who want to watch Canadian teams is to watch ESPN+. They offer coverage of all out-of-market games for those teams.
Out-of-Market Coverage
NHL.TV, which was the way fans could previously subscribe to an out-of-market streaming package, has now moved to ESPN+. ESPN+ can be subscribed to as an add-on package on Hulu for $6.99 / month per month or annually for $69.99 / year. In addition, ESPN+ is also available to Hulu subscribers as part of The Disney Bundle.
2021-2022 NHL TV Schedule
TBD