NESN Online: Best Streaming Plans for All New England MLB and NHL Games

Red Sox and Bruins fans in and around the Boston area need NESN. Read on and we’ll explain the great options you have for streaming NESN. It’s easier than you think!

In a hurry? There’s a lot to know about your options. But if you just want to know the best ways to watch NESN (and NESN+) today, these two streaming services offer it along with an excellent selection of general channels:

Boston is a major hub for both Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League. The Red Sox were formed in 1901 (although they were known as the Americans at that time). And the Bruins started in 1924 — the year that the NHL moved outside of Canada and became international.

The New England Sports Network (or NESN as it is more commonly known) is dedicated to these two teams specifically and Boston sports more generally. Read on to learn how subscribers in the area can stream this unique channel.

NESN Streaming Services

The major live TV streaming services offer access to some RSNs. Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV offer only a handful. Fubo offers a lot more. But DirecTV is by far the best — providing access to almost every RSN.

Fubo and DirecTV are currently the only streaming services that provide access to NESN. In addition, they both offer access to NBC Sports Boston, the other RSN in the area, which provides access to the Boston Celtics (NBA).

Fubo for NESN

New England-Area RSNs	NESN, NESN+, NBC Sports Boston
Major Sports Channels	Big Ten, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, NFL Network
Total Channels	150+
Cloud DVR	1000 hours
Simultaneous Screens	10
Free Trial	✅
Fubo Price	$94.98/mo

Currently, the best way to watch NESN is probably with Fubo (formerly FuboTV). It was originally a soccer streaming service but over the years, it has grown to be one of the best overall streamers with broad access to news, entertainment, and family programming. It is also arguably the best overall sports streaming service covering everything and providing a huge number of events in 4K each year — including Red Sox games.

The Fubo Standard plan costs $94.98/mo and includes 150+ channels including NESN. Additionally, Fubo offers 38 sports channels including ESPN, FS1, 7 from beIN Sports, 11 from TUDN. It also includes the local channels in most areas as well as a full range of other channels.

If you want more information about Fubo, check out these articles:

• Fubo Review
• Fubo Packages
• Fubo Local Channels
• Fubo Devices.

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DIRECTV STREAM for NESN

New England-Area RSNs	NESN, NESN+, NBC Sports Boston
Major Sports Channels	BTN, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, Golf Channel
Total Channels	105+
Cloud DVR	Unlimited (online sign-up)
Simultaneous Screens	Unlimited
Free Trial	✅
DirecTV Price	$108.99/mo

DIRECTV STREAM’s lowest-price (Entertainment) plan costs only $79.99/mo but it doesn’t provide access to RSNs. To get access to NESN, you need the Choice plan ($108.99/mo) or above.

DIRECTV STREAM has a great channel lineup focused on news, entertainment, and family-friendly content. They also provide a good selection of sports channels including all those featuring the Red Sox should they make the playoffs.

Perhaps the best thing about DIRECTV is that it allows you to stream on unlimited screens simultaneously. So if you have a large household, it is an excellent choice.

• DIRECTV STREAM Review
• DIRECTV STREAM Package
• DIRECTV STREAM Local Channels
• DIRECTV STREAM Devices

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NESN 360

NESN was the first RSN to start its own direct-to-consumer streaming service. It’s called NESN 360. But despite the name, it is still limited to subscribers in its traditional broadcasting markets.

It’s the same as getting it through a streaming service or cable/satellite provider. You get the NESN channel and NESN+ for spillover. There are two plans:

• Monthly: $29.99/mo
• Yearly: $329.99/yr, which comes out to $27.50/mo, which isn’t a great savings but also includes 4 Red Sox game tickets.

NESN 360 also provides on-demand access to Red Sox and Bruins games that are broadcast nationally (and thus aren’t on NESN live). These are available after the games have completed.

There are some potential downsides of NESN 360:

• You don’t get any other channels like CBS Sports Network, ESPN, or FS1.
• You don’t get NBC Sports Boston, which airs virtually all of the Boston Celtics games.
• NESN 360 currently only supports viewing through its website, nesn.com, or with apps on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, Android TV, or mobile devices with Android or iOS (iPhone, iPad).

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NESN Alternatives

There are a couple of options to watch live Red Sox and Bruins games — as long as you do not live in the New England area:

• MLB.tv: This service gives you live access to every out-market game in the regular season that isn’t also nationally televised.
• ESPN+: There used to be NHL.tv, a service like MLB.tv that gives access to every out-of-market NHL game. This is now part of ESPN+, which is a good service even without the NHL coverage.

NESN also has a website and an app that allows you to stream live. The problem is that this isn’t a different way to get the channel. You need a DIRECTV STREAM or Fubo subscription to use it. But it may be worth having anyway.

Sign up for MLB.TV on Fubo for FREE today!

TVs and Mobile Devices to Live Stream NESN

Fubo and DIRECTV have their own apps that run on smart TVs and other devices. Both support the vast majority of equipment that is in use but Fubo supports a bit more. See below for details.

Devices for Fubo Only

Fubo supports smart TVs from Hisense and LG. You can generally use any device that supports Android TV like TVs from Sony, Sharp, and TCL.

You can also use Fubo with the Xbox One.

Devices Supported by DIRECTV and Fubo

Both services support Samsung smart TVs for the last 5 years. Similarly, if you have a TV that can accept Chromecast, you should be set if you have a supported mobile device:

• Android: any of the many smartphones that run this operating system.
• iOS: any of the Apple devices (iPhones, iPads).

And both Fubo and DirecTV support all the major streaming media players:

• Amazon Fire TV
• Apple TV
• Roku.

Finally, you can watch these streaming services on your computer. If you happen to be using a laptop, you can also connect it via an HDMI cable to your TV and watch it that way.

The bottom line is that both DIRECTV and Fubo almost certainly support whatever hardware you have. But if you have any questions, you should contact them and make sure.

NESN 4K

NESN offers Boston Red Sox games in 4K. DIRECTV STREAM does not currently offer this but Fubo does.

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About NESN

New England Sports Network (NESN) is a regional sports network (RSN) broadcast out of Watertown, MA. It is the home of the Boston Red Sox (MLB) and the Boston Bruins (NHL).

Founded in 1984, it is owned by the Red Sox’s parent company, Fenway Sports Group (which owns Fenway Park), and the concessions company Delaware North (which owns TD Garden, home of the Bruins).

NESN Regional Availability

Like all RSNs, NESN is only available in a limited broadcast area. But in its case, it is a fairly large area.

NESN is available to subscribers throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. It is also available throughout Connecticut except for the southwest corner of the state, which is part of the New York broadcasting area (MSG, SportsNet New York, and YES Network).

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NESN Content: Live Games and Beyond

The focus of NESN is the broadcasting of live games of their two primary teams. They show the vast majority of the Red Sox’s 162 games and the Bruin’s 82 games. These include pregame and postgame shows featuring news and analysis.

Starting in 2024, NESN is also an official broadcaster of Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

Unlike some RSNs, NESN does a good job of filling up its schedule with interesting content rather than infomercials. It airs a good amount of college sports. This tends to focus on UMass and normally includes a fair number of men’s and women’s basketball games.

It also airs basketball featuring the Northeastern Huskies, Merrimack Warriors, and Boston College Eagles. And it features hockey games with the Holy Cross Crusaders, the Hockey East conference, and Beanpot tournament. Finally, it airs various Ivy League athletic events.

It also airs live Connecticut Sun and Worcester Red Sox games. Additionally, there are other sporting events although not necessarily live. And it features some programing related to fantasy sports and sports betting like new episodes of Follow the Money.

NESN also offers a number of original shows. A number are more lifestyle-oriented but should appeal to Bruins and Red Sox fans. These include Charlie Moore Outdoors, Dining Playbook, Dirty Water TV, Friday Night Fenway, Golf Destination, NESN Clubhouse, The Red Sox Report, The Ultimate Red Sox Show, and Wicked Bites.

They also show notable older games under the titles Bruins Classics and Red Sox Classics.

NESN Live Broadcast Commentators

NESN features a lot of well-known announcers and other on-air talent.

Dave O’Brien took over from longtime Red Sox play-by-play announce Don Orsillo (who moved to Bally Sports San Diego) in 2016. Mike Monaco provides his play-by-play commenting skills at times as well. Color analysts include Kevin Millar, Kevin Youkilis, and Lou Merloni. Jahmai Webster acts as sideline reporter and in the studio are Darnell McDonald, Will Middlebrooks, Jonathan Papelbon, Adam Pellerin, and Jim Rice.

Over at TD Garden, Jack Edwards (play-by-play) and Andy Brickley (analyst) heat up the ice at Boston Bruins games with their energetic commentary. Edwards has done so since 2005-06, Brickley since 2000-01. Also providing commentary and reporting are Dale Arnold, Billy Jaffe, Sophia Jurksztowicz, Barry Pederson, Andrew Raycroft.

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Today’s NESN Schedule

Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:

10:00am	The Lombardi Line Former NFL executive and current analyst Mike Lombardi breaks down the week's action on the field and in the sportsbook.
12:00pm	College Football – UMass Spring Game All the action from NCAA college football.
2:00pm	Cruisin' New England – Cruisin' Favorites Paul Mennett looks back at some of his favorite segments. Including, cool Corvettes, racing car driving tips and automobilia.
2:30pm	Red Sox Report – Dominican Series and Opening Day The team's official television show. Features the best video content from Fenway Park and across Red Sox Nation.
3:00pm	Red Sox First Pitch – Cubs at Red Sox A preview of the upcoming game and news and analysis from industry insiders.
3:30pm	Red Sox GameDay Live – Cubs at Red Sox The latest pregame news and commentary about the Red Sox, plus exclusive features and analysis with former players and writers.
4:00pm	MLB Baseball – Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox From Fenway Park in Boston.
7:00pm	Red Sox Extra Innings Live – Cubs at Red Sox A complete breakdown of the game, postgame reaction from the players, and highlights from around the league.
7:30pm	Bruins Face-Off Live – Bruins at Maple Leafs Eastern Conference First Round, Game 4.
8:00pm	NHL Hockey – Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs The Maple Leafs try again to knot up their first-round set against the Bruins in Game 4. Brad Marchand recorded two goals and an assist in the third period of Boston's 4-2 victory over Toronto in Game 3, pushing the B's ahead 2-1 in the series.
10:30pm	Bruins Overtime Live – Bruins at Maple Leafs Eastern Conference First Round, Game 4.
11:30pm	NHL Hockey – Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs The Maple Leafs try again to knot up their first-round set against the Bruins in Game 4. Brad Marchand recorded two goals and an assist in the third period of Boston's 4-2 victory over Toronto in Game 3, pushing the B's ahead 2-1 in the series.
1:30am	Dirty Water TV – The Greatest Bar The best parties, hottest venues, and coolest destinations in New England nightlife.
2:00am	MLB Baseball – Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox From Fenway Park in Boston.
4:00am	Red Sox Extra Innings Live – Cubs at Red Sox A complete breakdown of the game, postgame reaction from the players, and highlights from around the league.
4:30am	Red Sox Extra Innings Live – Cubs at Red Sox A complete breakdown of the game, postgame reaction from the players, and highlights from around the league.
5:00am	MLB Baseball – Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox From Fenway Park in Boston.
7:00am	Travel Moore with Anthony Moore – Beefie Boys Host Anthony Moore travels to The Modern Butcher in Newburyport, Mass., Nick's Place in Raymond, N.H., Jamie's Roast Beef in Peabody, Mass., as well as a few other roast beef joints. Anthony searches for the best roast beef sandwich in the area.
7:30am	New England Traveler – Mount Washington Valley Adventure New Hampshire's scenic Mount Washington Valley is the setting for Greg's trip which include visits to The Conway Scenic Railroad, Attitash Mountain Village, New England Ski Museum, Zeb's General Store and much more.
8:00am	Offroad Odyssey – Unique Trails Adrenaline-pumping action, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable encounter offroad.
8:30am	New Hampshire Life – Colebrook The journey takes us to the gateway to Quebec, Colebrook. Normally, this time of year this area is blanketed with a lot of snow and the draw up here is definitely snowmobiling, but for those in New England, this has been the winter that wasn't.
9:00am	Explore New England – Island Time; Martha's Vineyard, MA This episode explores mountain biking through the Caroline Tuthill Wildlife Preserve, kayaking on Segekontacket Pond, a nature and birding expedition in MassAudubon's Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and brews and food at Offshore Ale.
9:30am	A Fishing Story With Ronnie Green – Age is Just a Number Mr. Percy walks us through his lifelong passion for offshore fishing and how he created the Mako fishing club.
10:00am	Red Sox Classics – 1986: Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners Best of 1986. Roger Clemens strikes out 20 batters for the first time in his career. Down 1-0 in the 7th inning, Dwight Evans hits a 3-run HR to provide all the offense for the Red Sox in a 3-1 victory over the Mariners.

Wrapping Up

NESN is the go-to channel for all the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins games. And cord-cutters have two options to get NESN without cable/satellite: Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM. Both also provide NESN+ and NBC Sports Boston so you will never miss a home run or a goal.

Fubo is cheaper and offers a better selection of channels — especially for the sports fan. But DIRECTV offers a great deal for viewers in large households without any notable channel holes. Regardless of which you choose, you won’t miss any of the action with your local MLB and NHL teams!

We recommend Fubo for Red Sox and Bruins fans. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.

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FAQs

Does NESN air New England Patriots games?

NESN does not air any New England Patriots games. In fact, no RSN airs NFL games. Instead, these games are featured on Amazon Prime (Thursday Night Football), NBC (Sunday Night Football), ESPN (Monday Night Football), or regionally on Sunday afternoons through local CBS and Fox affiliates. NESN does, however, provide news and commentary related to the Patriots.

Are you just wondering whether the Pats are playing today or not? Your wondering is at an end.

What is NESN National?

NESN offers its feed to providers outside its traditional broadcast area as NESN National. However, all Red Sox and Bruins games are blacked out but the pre-game and post-game shows are still available. It also offers its many New England and Boston-focused sports and lifestyle shows. Fans and others with a connection to the area will find it interesting — if not essential.

Does NESN broadcast Red Sox spring training games?

NESN normally broadcasts the vast majority of Red Sox spring training games. In 2023, this included 27 out of a total of 32 games. The other games will usually be found on MLB Network. It comes with the DIRECTV STREAM Choice package. And you can add it to Fubo for $7.99/mo with the Fubo Extra plan.

Can I Get NESN on Hulu?

NESN is not currently available on Hulu + Live TV. However, that could change in the future. Hulu currently provides RSNs for San Francisco Bay Area, California, Chicago, New York (SportsNet but not MSG or YES), Northwest (Portland), Philadelphia, and Washington DC. So it’s worth checking back!

Why Did YouTube TV Stop Carrying NESN? 

YouTube TV stopped carrying NESN as of November 2020. The exact reason is unclear. The only information YouTube TV has shared about the issue so far is that their contract with NESN had expired and they were unable to reach a new settlement. So it is probably a question of the channel cost compared to its value to their subscribers.

YouTube TV is unlikely to get back NESN any time soon. There have been no updates regarding the issue since it was dropped from the service.

Does Sling TV offer NESN?

Sling TV does not offer NESN. In fact, Sling TV, as a low-cost streaming service doesn’t offer any RSNs. RSNs are some of the most expensive channels to license, so it just doesn’t make sense for Sling to carry it. However, you could subscribe to Sling TV to get the national channels you want and supplement it with NESN 360.

What is an RSN?

An RSN, or regional sports network, is a TV channel that focuses on the sports in a particular area. Such channels are only distributed to subscribers in that area. Originally, these channels were available only through cable providers but are now available through some satellite and streaming services.

What happened to Jerry Remy?

Jerry Remy died October 30th, 2021 after a long battle with lung cancer. He was a second baseman for the Red Sox from the 1978-79 through the 1983-1984 seasons. From 1988 onward, he provided color commentary for NESN Red Sox games. He continued to broadcast up to three months before his death.

Does NESN broadcast Boston Celtics games?

Although NESN is focused on Boston sports, it does not broadcast Celtics games. Instead, the Boston Celtics are broadcast on NBC Sports Boston. But this really isn’t a problem because both DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo offer NBC Sports Boston to subscribers in the New England area.

Does NESN broadcast the New England Revolution?

NESN has never broadcast New England Revolution games — or any Major League Soccer (MLS) matches. That honor used to go to NBC Sports Boston but the Revolution left for the new MLS Season Pass. If you are a serious Revolution fan, you can watch every match for $14.99/mo or $99/yr.

How can I watch the Red Sox’s divisional rivals?

To watch the other American League East teams, check out these articles:

• Baltimore Orioles — MASN
• New York Yankees — YES Network
• Tampa Bay Rays — Sun
• Toronto Blue Jays — MLB.TV

How can I watch the Bruins’ divisional rivals?

To watch the other teams in the Atlantic Division, see these articles:

• Buffalo Sabres — MSG
• Detroit Red Wings — Bally Sports Detroit
• Florida Panthers — Bally Sports Florida
• Montreal Canadiens — NA
• Ottawa Senators — NA
• Tampa Bay Lightning — Bally Sports Sun
• Toronto Maple Leafs — NA

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