(Getty)
The 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Finals are underway, and there are a number of different ways to watch all the action live online, even if you don’t have a cable subscription.
With more and more people cutting the cable cord, there has been a recent rise in companies offering over-the-top, subscription-based streaming services that allow you to watch a handful of channels for a monthly fee. The hardest part of watching sports online is now picking the right service.
For this year’s finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, coverage in the United States will be on NBC Sports Network (Games 1, 2 and 3) and NBC (Games 4, 5, 6 and 7).
The cheapest option for watching all the games is Sling TV, though DirecTV Now and Fubo TV have some other pros and cons.
It’s important to note that for all streaming services, NBC will only be live in certain markets. You can click here to see if it’s available in your area with DirecTV Now, here to see if it’s available in your area with Sling TV, or here to see if it’s available in your area with Fubo TV.
With that in mind, here’s a complete rundown of your live streaming options:
The Cheapest Option: Sling TV
(Getty)
NBC and NBC Sports Network are both included in Sling’s “Blue” bundle for $25 per month.
Here’s a complete rundown of what you’re getting with that package:
Stanley Cup Final Channels Included: NBC (live in certain markets. You can click here to see if it’s available in your area), NBC Sports Network
strong>Total Channels Included: 40-plus, depending on local channels available. You can find the complete channel list right here
Price: $25 per month
Extras: Watch on three different devices at once (with Sling Orange, it’s one device. With Sling Orange+Blue, it’s four different devices); 50 hours of cloud DVR is $5 per month extra
Free Trial: 7 days
How to Sign Up & Watch:
1. Click here to go to the Sling TV website
2. Click on “Watch Now 7 Days Free” and then create an account
3. Select the channel package you want. “Sling Blue” includes both NBC and NBC Sports Network
4. Enter your payment information. The “Sling Blue” package costs $25 per month. If you cancel your subscription within seven days of signing up, you will not be charged
5. Download the Sling app on your computer or mobile device and begin watching TV. If you’re interested in watching Sling TV on a mobile or streaming device, you can do so via their app, which is free to download. You can click here for a full list of compatible devices
Most Channels: DirecTV Now
If you’re looking for a streaming service that you’re going to use beyond the Stanley Cup Finals and the most channels is a priority DirecTV Now is going to be your best option. The “Live a Little” bundle includes 60-plus channels, while the company has packages that extend all the way to 120-plus channels.
Here’s a rundown of the “Live a Little” package:
Stanley Cup Final Channels Included: NBC (live in certain markets. You can click here to see if it’s available in your area), NBC Sports Network
Total Channels Included: 60-plus, depending on local channels available. You can find the complete channel list right here
Price: $35 per month
Extras: Watch on two different devices at the same time; No DVR
Free Trial: 7 days
How to Sign Up & Watch:
1. Click here to go to the DirecTV Now website
2. Click on “Start your free trial now” and then create an account
3. Select the channel package you want. The “Live a Little” bundle will include NBC and NBC Sports Network
4. Enter your payment information. The “Live a Little” package costs $35 per month. If you cancel your subscription within seven days of signing up, you will not be charged
5. Return to the DirecTV Now website to start watching on your desktop. You can also watch via the DirecTV Now, which is available via a handful of different mobile or streaming devices. You can click here for the complete list of compatible devices
A New Option: Fubo TV
If you’ve already tried out some of the other streaming services and are looking to test out a new product, Fubo TV is an interesting option. Like the above products, it includes both NBC and NBC Sports Network.
Though it’s more expensive than Sling’s “Blue” package, Fubo TV is only $35 per month, has a DVR feature at no extra cost and offers a mostly sports-based channel lineup. It includes NBA TV, Golf Channel, Big Ten Network, Fox Soccer Plus and all 10 of the beIN Sports networks. Moreover, if you’re at a computer, you’ll also have the opportunity to watch TV right in your Internet browser without having to download a desktop app. And lastly, the service allows you to sign in using your Facebook or Google account — a nice perk that not all services offer.
Here’s the rundown of Fubo TV’s bundle:
Stanley Cup Final Channels Included: NBC (live in certain markets. You can click here to see if it’s available in your area), NBC Sports Network
Total Channels Included: 58 (You can find the complete channel list here)
Price: $34.99 per month
Extras: Watch on two different devices at once; three DVR spots for free
Free Trial: 7 days
How to Sign Up & Watch:
1. Click here to sign up and launch your free trial. You’ll need to enter your credit card information when signing up, but if you cancel your subscription before the trial ends, you won’t be charged.
2. If you’re on a computer, you can start watching TV right away in your Internet browser without having to download a desktop app. If you’re on a mobile device, download the Fubo app.
Click here to download the app in the iTunes App Store
Comments
How to Watch NHL Stanley Cup Final 2017 Live Online Without Cable