Is NBA TV part of Hulu live?
Hey, if you enjoy watching NBA basketball, you may be wondering whether Hulu Live provides access to NBA TV and a full slate of NBA games.
As your streaming guide, I‘ll break down everything you need to know about getting NBA TV, national broadcasts, and out-of-market games through Hulu Live and alternative options for cord-cutters.
Hulu Live for NBA – The Basics
Hulu Live offers 75+ live channels, including ESPN, TNT, and ABC which together have rights to air NBA games nationally across the season. This allows Hulu Live subscribers to stream select live NBA action from opening week through playoffs without cable.
However, one crucial missing piece is NBA TV. NBA TV functions as the NBA‘s dedicated 24/7 national cable channel, with original programming, classic games, analysis shows, and up to 100 exclusive live game broadcasts each year.
Key details about Hulu Live for NBA fans:
- National NBA broadcasts on ESPN, TNT, ABC available
- No NBA TV access included
- Limited to streaming on 2 devices simultaneously
- $69.99/month with ads or $82.99/month ad-free
Without NBA TV in the mix, Hulu Live alone provides an incomplete package for hardcore NBA fans wanting to follow a favorite team or get the most basketball action possible. Let‘s explore some alternative options.
Streaming NBA TV as a Standalone Channel
If gaining access to NBA TV programming is your main goal, you can subscribe directly to NBA TV through your streaming device or live TV provider.
For instance, NBA TV can be added to services like YouTube TV or DIRECTV STREAM for $10-15 more per month depending on the package. Sling TV offers NBA TV through its Sling Orange Sports Extra for $11 per month added.
Here are some standalone NBA TV streaming options and pricing:
- NBA TV on Roku: $6.99/month or $59.99/year
- NBA TV on Fire TV: $9.99/month (7 day free trial)
- NBA TV on Apple TV: $9.99/month (7 day free trial)
- NBA TV on Prime Video (with Prime membership): $6.99/month or $29.99/year
Most streaming devices offer free trials for NBA TV, so you can test it out. Direct subscriptions give you access 24/7 on that device. Through Amazon Prime Video, you can stream anywhere.
Unlocking NBA Out-of-Market Games with League Pass
For the maximum NBA game coverage, NBA League Pass gives you access to stream live out-of-market games throughout the regular season. This means you can follow a favorite team all year long or jump around watching exciting matchups every night around the league.
With NBA League Pass through NBA.com, you‘ll get:
- 1,080+ out-of-market live games from the NBA regular season
- Streaming on your TV, mobile, tablet, or laptop
- NBA TV access included
- Multiple subscription options starting at $14.99/month or $99.99/year
There are also NBA League Pass streaming options through Prime Video (for Prime members), DIRECTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and fuboTV. Prices are generally in the same $15-20/month range.
One catch with League Pass is local blackout restrictions. Games involving teams in your local broadcast territory will be blacked out. The good news is you can still catch those games through ESPN, TNT, and ABC on Hulu Live.
Weighing Free NBA Streaming Options
There are some free streaming sites that offer access to live NBA games and replays. However, I don‘t really recommend pursuing these options.
Stream quality is often super laggy and unstable. There‘s no guarantee you‘ll get a working feed. And free streaming sites have lots of invasive ads and potential malware risks.
Worse yet, most free streaming sites violate broadcast rights, so you may be accessing illegal content. For consistent, high-quality streaming, I suggest sticking with legitimate services like Hulu Live or paid NBA League Pass.
How Sports Gambling Sites Stream the NBA
One lesser known option for streaming live NBA games for free is through sports gambling platforms like DraftKings or FanDuel. As legal online sports betting grows, these sites provide game live streams to account holders watching and wagering.
However, there are geographical restrictions depending on local sports betting laws. And you need to have an active, funded account. Game availability is also limited depending on betting options, so they‘re not reliable for catching your favorite team.
Cord-Cutter Statistics and Trends
Let‘s look quickly at some numbers that demonstrate the streaming demand for NBA content:
- 5.9 million estimated subscribers for Hulu Live as of 2021
- 3 million estimated NBA League Pass subscribers as of 2022
- 1.6 million NBA TV viewers on average for 2022 NBA Finals
User numbers continue rising across streaming platforms. And average streaming hours per user keep increasing as more sports fans cut the cord. There‘s clearly no shortage of demand for premium digital access to live NBA action.
Comparing Top Live TV Streamers for NBA Fans
Here is a breakdown of how leading live TV streaming services compare for streaming the NBA:
| Service | Monthly Price | NBA TV? | Out-of-Market Games? | Simultaneous Streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu Live | $69.99 | No | No | 2 |
| YouTube TV | $64.99 | Yes | With League Pass add-on | 3 |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $69.99 | Yes | With League Pass add-on | 20 |
Based on features, channel lineup, and pricing, hardcore NBA fans may prefer alternatives over Hulu Live. But it still delivers national live broadcasts.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, relying solely on Hulu Live does limit your NBA viewing compared to having NBA TV or NBA League Pass. While you miss out on those with Hulu Live, you still get nationally televised games on ESPN, ABC and TNT.
If you want NBA TV or full NBA League Pass access, you‘ll have to subscribe directly through your streaming device or a live TV provider. There are multiple options to suit different budgets and preferences. Hopefully this guide gave you the complete breakdown! Let me know if you need any other NBA streaming advice.
