Bally Sports channels are important for watching teams in several major sports leagues. ESPN+ is a streaming service dedicated to sports. But you can’t watch Bally Sports on ESPN+. We’ll explain how you can watch all your favorite sports, including any free trials.
Where Can You Watch Bally Sports Channels?
To watch Bally Sports networks, you’ll need a live TV streaming service. Right now, DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo are the only services that offer those channels.
DIRECTV STREAM is the more complete service since it includes 31 of the top 35 cable channels, which tops Fubo’s 19. You can start streaming DIRECTV STREAM with a 5-day FREE trial. Fubo also offers a free trial.
DIRECTV STREAM starts at $86.99 / month, but to access regional sports networks, you need the “Choice” plan, which is $114.99 / month.
Related: Fubo vs. DIRECTV STREAM - Full Comparison ►
Choose $15 OFF each month for the first 2 months of Entertainment with Sports Pack or $20 OFF each month for the first 3 months of Choice or Ultimate.
Get Your First Month of Fubo for Only $74.99 (normally $95) after your Free Trial.
You cannot watch Bally Sports channels on YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, or Philo.
Which Teams Are Available on Bally Sports Channels?
What Is Bally Sports+?
For some people, Bally Sports+ might be a better option. As a standalone service, it is pricey at $19.99 / month. While this service gives you access to any NHL and NBA teams on the Bally channels, only five MLB teams are available: Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and Tampa Bay Rays.
Bally does not have streaming rights for the Cardinals, Twins, Reds, Braves, Rangers, Angels, or Guardians, so you would need DIRECTV STREAM or Fubo if you need to watch those.
Bally Sports+ offers a 7-day FREE trial.
You can stream Bally Sports+ on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
What is ESPN+?
ESPN+ is a live streaming service thousands of exclusive live events from UFC, MLB, PGA TOUR LIVE, LaLiga, Top Rank Boxing, and more — plus a variety of college sports, including football, basketball, and baseball from 20+ conferences. It’s particularly valuable for NHL fans, since you get access to 1,050 out-of-market games from every team.
You can stream ESPN+ on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
There is no free trial for ESPN+, but there is a workaround.
For a limited time, you can watch ESPN+ free for 3-days if you sign up for a trial of Hulu Live TV. Hulu Live TV gives you 33 of the top 35 cable channels, plus free Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu on-demand.
Get $23 OFF each month for the first 3 months of Hulu Live TV! (Deal ends Nov. 19)
How is ESPN+ Different from ESPN?
ESPN+ is a standalone streaming service with lots of exclusive sports and on-demand content. ESPN is a linear TV channel offering a different sports lineup. You cannot currently watch traditional ESPN on ESPN+, though that may change in time.
ESPN is available on DIRECTV STREAM, DIRECTV Via Internet, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. Since we’re considering Bally Sports in particular, we’ll remind you that those channels are only available on DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo.
DTV STREAM | DTV Internet | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Free Trial | Get $100 Back | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | Get 50% OFF | Sign Up | |||
$86.99 | $69.99 | $94.99 | $82.99 | $28 | $40 | $40 | $72.99 | ||
ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
ESPN Deportes | - | - | + $20 | + $5 | - | + $6 | - | - | |
ESPN2 | ✓ | + $0 | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
ESPNEWS | + $28 | + $15 | + $8 | ✓ | - | + $11 | - | ✓ | |
ESPNU | + $28 | + $15 | + $8 | ✓ | - | + $11 | - | ✓ |
Why Can’t You Watch Bally Sports on ESPN+?
ESPN+ and the ESPN linear networks are controlled by Disney. Diamond Sports controls the Bally Sports properties. While Disney would love to get its hands on the Bally broadcasts, Diamond doesn’t want to give up control of those properties. Sports rights are incredibly messy, and you may require lots of different channels or streaming services to watch everything you want.
Will Venu Sports Solve This?
Venu Sports is an upcoming mega-sports-streamer, pulling together the sports available on ABC, ESPN, Fox, TBS, and TNT. Bally Sports are very unlikely to appear on Venu, since Bally’s parent company relies so heavily on the retransmission fees it gets from live TV streaming services.