When people in Southern California talk about “putting on the Lakers game,” what they typically mean is turning on Spectrum SportsNet. The network has been the Lakers’ TV home since 2012, delivering wall-to-wall coverage and original series like Backstage: Lakers. It’s also the regional home of the Los Angeles Sparks, airing every matchup not picked up by national TV.
As a regional sports network, Spectrum SportsNet is only available in certain areas through specific cable, satellite, and streaming providers. But cord-cutters now have the additional option to sign up for Spectrum SportsNet+, a direct-to-consumer streaming plan available through NBA.com and the NBA app.
Unfortunately, the business side of Spectrum SportsNet is in flux. Charter is exploring a potential sale of the network, with the long-term rights deal being reworked behind closed doors. For fans, that translates into headlines about carriage disputes and blackouts. In this guide, I break down exactly how the channel and app work today, so you can stop doom-scrolling about corporate drama and just watch the Lakers.
What channel is Spectrum SportsNet on near me?
Spectrum SportsNet doesn’t have a single universal channel number. Because it’s a regional sports network, the channel you get depends entirely on your location and TV provider. Spectrum TV, DIRECTV, and Cox all place the network in different spots on the lineup, and numbers can vary significantly even between neighboring cities.
To help you find the next game quickly, I’ve compiled the Spectrum SportsNet channel numbers for major cities across the region in the table below.
Spectrum SportsNet channel numbers in major U.S. cities
| City | Cox channel | DIRECTV channel | Spectrum channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Anchorage, AK | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Atlanta, GA | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Austin, TX | — | 690, 691 | 330, 331 |
| Bakersfield, CA | — | 690, 691 | 21, 23 |
| Baltimore, MD | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Boston, MA | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Bronx, NY | — | 690, 691 | 330, 331 |
| Brooklyn, NY | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Buffalo, NY | — | 690, 691 | 330, 331 |
| Charlotte, NC | — | 690, 691 | 330, 331 |
| Chicago, IL | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Cincinnati, OH | — | 690, 691 | 313, 329 |
| Cleveland, OH | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Colorado Springs, CO | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Columbus, OH | — | 690, 691 | 313, 329 |
| Dallas, TX | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Denver, CO | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Detroit, MI | — | 690, 691 | — |
| El Paso, TX | — | 690, 691 | 330, 331 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Fort Worth, TX | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Fresno, CA | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Honolulu, HI | — | 690, 691 | 217 |
| Houston, TX | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Indianapolis, IN | — | 690, 691 | 482, 483 |
| Jacksonville, FL | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Kansas City, MO | — | 690, 691 | 330, 331 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 66 | 690, 691 | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | — | 690, 691 | 43, 68 |
| Louisville, KY | — | 690, 691 | 522 |
| Memphis, TN | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Miami, FL | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Milwaukee, WI | — | 690, 691 | 313, 329 |
| Minneapolis, MN | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Nashville, TN | — | 690, 691 | — |
| New Orleans, LA | — | 690, 691 | — |
| New York, NY | — | 690, 691 | 330, 331 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Orlando, FL | — | 690, 691 | 814, 836 |
| Philadelphia, PA | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Phoenix, AZ | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Portland, OR | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Sacramento, CA | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Salt Lake City, UT | — | 690, 691 | — |
| San Antonio, TX | — | 690, 691 | 330, 331 |
| San Diego, CA | 71 | 690, 691 | 318, 331 |
| San Francisco, CA | — | 690, 691 | — |
| San Jose, CA | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Seattle, WA | — | 690, 691 | — |
| St. Louis, MO | — | 690, 691 | — |
| St. Paul, MN | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Tampa, FL | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Tucson, AZ | — | 690, 691 | — |
| Washington, DC | — | 690, 691 | — |
Data effective as of post date.
Get Spectrum SportsNet with cable or satellite TV
You can get Spectrum SportsNet through traditional cable or satellite TV services if you live in its broadcast region. This covers Southern California, Hawaii, and Southern Nevada. While many major providers carry it, they often tuck it into higher-priced sports tiers rather than the basic package.
That said, availability isn’t universal. It depends entirely on your provider’s carriage agreement and your specific zip code. Because these factors vary so much, I always recommend checking your provider’s channel lineup to verify the channel is actually available before signing up.
| Provider | Type | Price | Spectrum SportsNet | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $96.99–$126.99/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 | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | — |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $35.00–$90.00/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 Spectrum SportsNet with a live TV streaming service
If you prefer a live TV streaming service to replace cable, your options are extremely limited. The only major provider that currently carries Spectrum SportsNet is DIRECTV STREAM, and you’ll need the CHOICE plan or higher to unlock it.
Spectrum Internet customers can sometimes sign up for a streaming-only TV package. But popular alternatives, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo, don’t include Spectrum SportsNet.
Stream directly with Spectrum SportsNet+
If you’ve ditched traditional TV packages entirely, your best option is Spectrum SportsNet+. This is the network’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, available specifically for fans in the local broadcast region (SoCal, Hawaii, parts of Nevada).
For $19.99 per month, you get a live stream of the 24/7 channel directly through the NBA app or NBA.com. It’s the cleanest way to get in-market Lakers and Sparks games without paying for a bunch of other networks you don’t watch. Plus, you get on-demand access to any Spectrum SportsNet games you miss.
What’s on Spectrum SportsNet?
Spectrum SportsNet serves up the full slate of live Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Sparks games that aren’t nationally televised. On top of live games, you’ll find pre-game and post-game studio coverage, player interviews, in-depth analysis, and game replays.
The channel also produces original series like Access SportsNet and Backstage: Lakers. I’m a big fan of Backstage because it takes you behind the scenes, from the locker room to the road trips. It delivers the full story of the season—not just the games—transforming the network from a simple broadcaster into a complete experience for SoCal sports fans.
Spectrum SportsNet channel FAQ
What's the cheapest way to get Spectrum SportsNet?
The cheapest way to get Spectrum SportsNet is Spectrum SportsNet+. The standalone in-market streaming subscription is available through the NBA app, with packages starting as low as $19.99/mo.
How can I watch Spectrum SportsNet for free?
The only reliable way to watch Spectrum SportsNet for free is by using a DIRECTV free trial. Of course, you must reside within the channel's broadcast region to watch live games during the trial period.
Is Spectrum SportsNet on Amazon Prime Video?
No, Spectrum SportsNet isn't available as a channel or add-on through Amazon Prime Video.
Can I get Spectrum SportsNet as a standalone subscription?
Yes. Spectrum SportsNet+ is the direct-to-consumer version of the channel. As long as you're within the Lakers' local broadcast territory, you can snag a subscription separately through the NBA app or website.
