Fubo Loses Monumental Sports; How to Stream Washington Capitals, Wizards, Mystics Games Without Cable
DIRECTV STREAM allows customers to watch Monumental Sports Network in its CHOICE package, but fans can also opt for the Monumental Sports Network app!
Fubo has a well-earned reputation as a solid streaming service for sports fans. It carries a wide variety of regional sports networks (RSNs) across the country that many other live TV streaming platforms don’t offer, but it has recently lost access to one of the top independent RSNs available: Monumental Sports Network. The two sides were unable to reach a new carriage deal despite ongoing negotiations, so I’ll run through all the options Washington, D.C. area fans have to stream the channel and ensure they have continued access to Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics, and Washington Wizards games.
Key Details:
- A disagreement over the fee Fubo would have to pay to keep Monumental caused the streamer to drop the channel.
- Fubo also dropped SportsNet NY thanks to a carriage fee dispute earlier this year.
- Fans can stream Monumental Sports Network on DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or opt for the Monumental Sports Network App.
As per usual in cases where a cable channel distributor drops a network, both sides are blaming the other in the dispute. Monumental claims it offered Fubo the standard market rate that other providers have agreed to pay to keep the channel, while Fubo’s website says it could not see the value in agreeing to Monumental’s terms as offered.
“Our mission has always been to offer a leading package of premium sports, news, and entertainment programming while balancing value and keeping your costs as low as possible,” the Fubo support page reads. “Unfortunately, we were unable to reach terms with Monumental Sports Network to renew our content agreement.”
As of June 15, Fubo customers no longer have access to the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, who are in the midst of their regular season. This fall, D.C.-area Fubo customers will also note the lack of Washington Wizards NBA games and Washington Capitals NHL games on the streamer thanks to the absence of Monumental. These teams will be available on national networks like ABC and ESPN from time to time, but the vast majority of their regular season games are played on Monumental Sports Network.
Fubo will not be issuing any credits or refunds after the departure of Monumental. The streamer also lost access to SportsNet NY, the channel responsible for distributing New York Mets games earlier this year, as declines in cable subscribers are compelling channel owners to ask for higher and higher carriage fees and providers who have less revenue because of customer departures are reluctant to pay.
Where Else Can You Watch Monumental Sports Network?
There are three live TV streaming services that now offer the Monumental Sports Network, or fans can simply sign up for the Monumental Sports Network App directly and skip the extra channels altogether. I’ll break down the differences between the services offering the linear channel below!
Top Choice: Hulu + Live TV
I’m bumping Hulu + Live TV to the top of my list for streaming Monumental Sports Network because the channel is included in the streamer’s base package. That will grant viewers access to Monumental as well as a long list of top cable channels, including local broadcast networks. Viewers who sign up to Hulu + Live TV at $76.99 per month or higher also get free access to the Disney Bundle, which means on-demand entertainment from Disney+ and Hulu as well as more sports from ESPN+ at no additional cost. Hulu + Live TV also comes with a three-day free trial so you can make sure it’s right for you before buying.
Best Alternative: DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM also comes with a free trial, this one five days in length. It offers more high-demand cable networks than any other live TV service, but Monumental Sports Network is not available in its base ENTERTAINMENT package. Viewers have to upgrade to the CHOICE package ($108.99 per month) to get RSNs like Monumental, but that price will also get you unlimited Cloud DVR, free access to premium streamers like Max and STARZ for three months, and reliable service from one of the nation’s most trusted providers.
Last Live Streaming Choice: YouTube TV
YouTube TV includes Monumental in its base plan for $72.99, making it the cheapest way to stream the channel alongside other cable networks. However, YouTube TV doesn’t have the same free trial for all new customers, nor does it include other streaming services free with an account. That’s why it can’t quite beat DIRECTV STREAM or Hulu + Live TV on this list.
What is Monumental Sports Network App?
The Monumental Sports Network App allows viewers living in the D.C. area to watch Capitals, Mystics, and Wizards games as well as all the other programming on the channel without a pay-TV subscription. The service costs $19.99 per month and offers unique features like alternate camera angles, original programming, and much more. It’s a great choice for viewers who want to stream Monumental, but don’t need a ton of extra cable channels along with it.