In New England, turning on a Red Sox or Bruins game usually means heading straight to NESN. The New England Sports Network has been a regional staple for decades, serving as the primary TV home for Boston’s biggest franchises. It also delivers a steady lineup of studio shows, analysis, and behind-the-scenes features to keep fans plugged in year-round.
Like most regional sports networks, NESN is not available nationwide. Your access depends entirely on your address and your TV provider. Because of this, some fans can simply flip it on with basic cable, while others have to upgrade to a higher-tier package or switch streaming services entirely. The network also offers a direct-to-consumer app, NESN 360, for in-market viewers who want to cut the cord without losing live games.
Carriage disputes and shifting streaming deals have kept NESN in the headlines over the years, making it frustrating to figure out how to actually tune in. This guide breaks down exactly where to find the network, how to stream it, and what your most reliable viewing options look like right now.
What channel is NESN on near me?
NESN doesn’t have one fixed channel number across the board, so it’s exact placement depends entirely on your location and your TV provider. Xfinity, DIRECTV, Verizon Fios, and regional carriers all slot NESN into different areas on their channel guides.
For instance, Xfinity’s number assignment varies depending on your exact New England city, while DIRECTV consistently places it on Channel 628 nationwide. To save you time, I compiled a table of NESN channel numbers for major U.S. cities below. If you don’t see your hometown or provider listed, simply plug your zip code into our tool to uncover your exact channel lineup.
NESN channel numbers in major U.S. cities
| City | Cox channel | DIRECTV channel | Verizon Fios channel | Xfinity channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | — | 628 | — | — |
| Anchorage, AK | — | 628 | — | — |
| Atlanta, GA | — | 628 | — | — |
| Austin, TX | — | 628 | — | — |
| Bakersfield, CA | — | 628 | — | — |
| Baltimore, MD | — | 628 | 97 | — |
| Boston, MA | — | 628 | 76 | 51 |
| Bronx, NY | — | 628 | 97 | — |
| Brooklyn, NY | — | 628 | 97 | — |
| Buffalo, NY | — | 628 | 97 | — |
| Charlotte, NC | — | 628 | — | — |
| Chicago, IL | — | 628 | — | — |
| Cincinnati, OH | — | 628 | — | — |
| Cleveland, OH | 245 | 628 | — | — |
| Colorado Springs, CO | — | 628 | — | — |
| Columbus, OH | — | 628 | — | — |
| Dallas, TX | — | 628 | — | — |
| Denver, CO | — | 628 | — | — |
| Detroit, MI | — | 628 | — | — |
| El Paso, TX | — | 628 | — | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | — | 628 | — | — |
| Fort Worth, TX | — | 628 | — | — |
| Fresno, CA | — | 628 | — | — |
| Honolulu, HI | — | 628 | — | — |
| Houston, TX | — | 628 | — | — |
| Indianapolis, IN | — | 628 | — | — |
| Jacksonville, FL | — | 628 | — | — |
| Kansas City, MO | — | 628 | — | — |
| Las Vegas, NV | — | 628 | — | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | — | 628 | — | — |
| Louisville, KY | — | 628 | — | — |
| Memphis, TN | — | 628 | — | — |
| Miami, FL | — | 628 | — | — |
| Milwaukee, WI | — | 628 | — | — |
| Minneapolis, MN | — | 628 | — | — |
| Nashville, TN | — | 628 | — | — |
| New Orleans, LA | — | 628 | — | — |
| New York, NY | — | 628 | 97 | — |
| Oklahoma City, OK | — | 628 | — | — |
| Orlando, FL | — | 628 | — | — |
| Philadelphia, PA | — | 628 | 97 | — |
| Phoenix, AZ | — | 628 | — | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | — | 628 | 97 | — |
| Portland, OR | — | 628 | — | — |
| Sacramento, CA | — | 628 | — | — |
| Salt Lake City, UT | — | 628 | — | — |
| San Antonio, TX | — | 628 | — | — |
| San Diego, CA | — | 628 | — | — |
| San Francisco, CA | — | 628 | — | — |
| San Jose, CA | — | 628 | — | — |
| Seattle, WA | — | 628 | — | — |
| St. Louis, MO | — | 628 | — | — |
| St. Paul, MN | — | 628 | — | — |
| Tampa, FL | — | 628 | — | — |
| Tucson, AZ | — | 628 | — | — |
| Washington, DC | — | 628 | 97 | — |
Data effective as of post date.
Get NESN with cable or satellite TV
If you live in New England, the most reliable way to get NESN is through a traditional cable or satellite TV package. Major providers like Xfinity and DIRECTV carry the network throughout service areas in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of Connecticut.
However, NESN is rarely included in the cheapest base plans anymore. For example, Xfinity recently moved the network exclusively to its expensive, higher-tier packages. If you’re signing up specifically to watch Red Sox or Bruins games, always verify that the channel is explicitly listed in your chosen plan before checkout.
| Provider | Type | Price | NESN | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | — |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | — |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$110.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $55.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Get NESN with a live TV streaming service
Cord-cutters in New England still have options, but they are limited. Currently, DIRECTV and Fubo are the only major live TV streaming services that carry NESN for in-market fans. You’ll typically need a mid-tier package or higher on either platform to unlock the channel.
Popular platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV don’t carry NESN. Regional sports networks operate under strict carriage deals, so you cannot assume every streaming app includes your local teams.
If you choose DIRECTV or Fubo, you must still live within the network’s official New England broadcast territory to receive the live feed. Keep in mind that both providers add a mandatory regional sports fee, so prepare to pay more than your chosen package’s base price.
| Provider | Type | Price | NESN | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Streaming | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $14.99–$94.99/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 |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | — |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV 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.
Stream directly with NESN 360
If you want to bypass TV providers completely, NESN 360 is the network’s direct-to-consumer streaming option. It’s designed specifically for fans in the home territory who want Red Sox and Bruins coverage without a traditional cable or satellite package.
A standalone NESN 360 subscription costs $29.99 a month (or $239.99 annually) and gives you 24/7 access to the live NESN and NESN+ feeds. You also get pregame and postgame shows, original programming, and on-demand content, with streaming compatible on a wide range of devices.
Like other regional sports subscriptions, strict geo-blocking rules apply. You must be inside the New England broadcast region to stream live local games. Best of all, if you already pay for a cable plan that includes the network, you can use the app for free by logging in with your TV provider credentials.
What’s on NESN?
NESN is built around two pillars in New England: the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins. If a Red Sox or Bruins game isn’t airing on national TV, there’s an incredibly high chance it’s live on NESN.
During baseball season, that means a steady schedule of regular-season Red Sox games, plus extensive pregame and postgame coverage that dives deep into matchups and clubhouse storylines. On the hockey side of things, NESN carries the bulk of the Bruins’ schedule along with expert studio analysis and extended breakdowns.
The channel fills out its lineup with exclusive original series like “Behind the B,” “Bruins My Story,” and “The Mindset.” You’ll also find minor league action with the Worcester Red Sox, premier college matchups via Hockey East, and classic game replays, ensuring the daily focus remains squarely on New England sports.
NESN channel guide FAQ
What's the cheapest way to get NESN?
If you live in New England, the most affordable direct option is NESN 360, the network's standalone streaming service, which costs $29.99 a month. If you prefer traditional cable, providers like Xfinity and Verizon Fios bundle the network into their mid- and upper-tier packages.
Is NESN on Amazon Prime Video?
No, NESN is not available as an Amazon Prime Video channel add-on. You must use a participating TV provider or the standalone NESN 360 app to stream live games.
Can I get NESN as a standalone subscription?
Yes. As long as you live inside the New England broadcast territory, you can purchase a direct subscription to NESN 360. This lets you stream live games and studio shows without paying for a full cable package.
How can I watch NESN away from home?
If you use NESN 360, you can stream live games outside of New England for up to 30 days. The only catch is that you must initially log in to the app on your specific device while still inside the home territory. If you live permanently outside the New England area, you'll need MLB.TV to watch the Red Sox and ESPN+ to stream for the Bruins.
