NHL Network is an essential channel for those who live and breathe hockey. You can access it through select cable, satellite, and live TV streaming providers, including DIRECTV, Fubo, and Sling TV. The 24/7 hockey channel carries live NHL games, studio shows, highlights, documentaries, and year-round league coverage.
This guide compares the best and cheapest ways to watch NHL Network and explains how NHL Center Ice fits in. If you already have a TV provider and just need the channel number, check out our What Channel Is NHL Network On? guide.
Best TV plans for watching NHL Network
Getting NHL Network doesn’t have to mean paying for a massive TV package. I’d start with DIRECTV MySports for the strongest national NHL lineup, Sling TV if price matters most, or Fubo for a broader sports-focused lineup.
DIRECTV MySports costs $49.99/mo. and includes NHL Network alongside ESPN, ESPN Unlimited, TNT, and TBS. Sling Essentials with Sports Extra starts at $30.99/mo., making it the cheapest way to stream NHL Network. Fubo Sports falls in between at $55.99/mo. after its introductory pricing.
Which TV providers carry NHL Network?
Of course, NHL Network is available on more than a few different TV services. But access varies by provider, plan, and location, with notable exceptions including Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Use the table below to compare your options.
| Provider | Type | Price | NHL Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Streaming/Satellite | $94.99–$174.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $94.99–$124.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $19.99–$108.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | — |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $33.00/mo. | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Fiber | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | — |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Get NHL Network with NHL Center Ice
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Out-of-market games only. Blackout restrictions and other conditions apply. Actual numbers of games varies by market due to blackout rules and other restrictions.
NHL Center Ice is the traditional TV route for watching out-of-market NHL games, and some providers sweeten the deal by including NHL Network. DIRECTV, for example, includes NHL Network with its Center Ice package, but availability and package requirements vary by provider.
For existing cable and satellite TV subscribers, following an out-of-market team is where NHL Center Ice really earns its keep. You’ll get up to 40 out-of-market games a week during the regular season, but local and national blackout restrictions still apply.
To find participating providers in your area, check out NHL.com’s Center Ice page by hitting the button below.
Pro tip: NHL Power Play on ESPN+ is the streaming alternative to NHL Center Ice, but it doesn’t include NHL Network.
What’s the cheapest way to get NHL Network?
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
The cheapest way to get NHL Network is through Sling TV. Pair Sling Essentials with the Sports Extra add-on, and you’re looking at $30.99 a month — $19.99 for Essentials plus $11.00 for Sports Extra.
What makes this option even more enticing is that Essentials already includes ESPN and ESPN2. That gives you extra national NHL coverage without jumping to one of Sling’s larger plans.
The trade-off is that Essentials doesn’t include TNT, TBS, or local broadcast channels, so it won’t cover every nationally televised NHL game. For a more complete lineup, Sling Orange + Sports Extra costs $56.99 a month and adds TNT and TBS alongside ESPN and NHL Network.
How to watch NHL Network FAQ
Does ESPN+ include NHL Network?
No, ESPN+ doesn't include NHL Network. ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited include NHL Power Play for out-of-market NHL games, but you'll need a separate TV service to get NHL Network.
Is NHL Network on Amazon Prime?
No, NHL Network isn't available as an add-on channel through Amazon Prime Video. However, the streaming service does offer MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, and NBA TV add-ons.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, has spent multiple seasons evaluating NHL Network and the TV services that carry it. For this guide, Taylor compared the channel’s availability across cable, satellite, and live TV streaming providers, including plan requirements and options like NHL Center Ice. His recommendations consider price, ease of access, and how much additional NHL coverage each option provides.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
More ways to watch the NHL
Find your NHL Network channel number to start watching live hockey games, expert analysis, breaking news, and year-round league coverage today.
There are a lot of channels and services to keep tabs on this NHL season. But don't worry. Our guide gives you a complete rundown, highlighting the best TV providers so you don't miss a single body check.
NHL Center Ice is an out-of-market sports package for cable and satellite TV subscribers that gets you around 40 NHL games per week. It also includes NHL Network for around-the-clock hockey coverage.
