How to Watch NBCSN Online Without Cable For Free

You don't need a cable bill to keep watching NBCSN. Here's every way to stream it online, and how to do it for free.

Reviewed and updated June 2026 by our cord-cutting team · 6 options

You can watch NBCSN without cable with a free trial on YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and Fubo, or with a subscription to Sling Orange + Blue. Below, we count down the best ways to watch NBCSN that cord-cutters use. We made this ranking based on each service's value: how many other channels each dollar of subscription will get you.

Stream Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV
Free trials Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV
Get a free trial at Fubo →
Why trust us

We routinely follow over a hundred live TV and streaming services in the US, closely monitoring their plans, features, and channel lineups. All of that work is on our cord-cutting hub.

Beyond this, we have been reviewing the best on streaming services since 2013, recommending highly-rated but little-known movies and shows: we find the gems that you haven't yet watched, that you will probably like.

Is NBCSN free on Fubo?

Yes, with a free trial. NBCSN is on Fubo, and you can watch it free for Fubo's 7-day free trial. Cancel before it ends and you pay nothing.

Fubo is a live TV and on-demand streaming service. The platform had it beginning as a soccer stream service, but it quickly became popular as a viable alternative to expensive cable subscriptions in the U.S, offering an attractive bundle of more than 100 live channels as well as an endless array of on-demand movies.

The honest caveat

It leans heavily on sports, and a regional sports fee of a few dollars up to about $17 by ZIP gets added on top.

Fubo logo Fubo plans
Pro
$84.99 /mo
  • 190+ channels
  • Unlimited DVR
  • Up to 10 screens
Get Fubo →
Elite
$94.99 /mo
  • Pro + entertainment pack
  • 4K on select events
  • Multiview
Get Fubo →

Our breakdown of Fubo →

Other National Sports Networks channels5 total
All channels on Fubo83 total
ABCABC News LiveCBSCBS Sports NetworkCheddarCMTComedy CentralCometCozi TVDisney ChannelDisney JuniorDisney XDE!ESPNESPN2ESPN3FOXFox Business NetworkFox News ChannelFox Sports 1 (FS1)FreeformFXFXXGetTVGRITHallmark ChannelHallmark FamilyHallmark MysteryIFCMTVNational GeographicNBCNBCLXNBCSNNewsmaxNFL NetworkNick Jr.NickelodeonParamount NetworkRSNsSEC NetworkSYFYTastemadeThe Weather ChannelTV LandVH1WillowACC Network (in-market)AccuWeatherBein SportsBig Ten Network (BTN)CBS local channelsCBSNCourt TVCWESPN 4KEstrella TVFETVFMCFOX SOULFox Sports 2 (FS2)fubo Sports NetworkGalavisionGolf ChannelIntravelLocal NowMASNNBC local channelsOlympic ChannelOxygenPopSmithsonian ChannelTelemundoTelemundo local channelsTUDNTUDNxtraTVGUnimasUnimas local channelsUniversal KidsUniversoWGN AmericaYES Network
Features & what you get6 highlights
  • 150+ channels
  • ESPN Unlimited included
  • 250+ channels
  • 4K sports
  • Extra sports
  • 30 channels

Is NBCSN free on DirecTV Stream?

Yes, with a free trial. NBCSN is on DirecTV Stream, and you can watch it free for DirecTV Stream's 5-day free trial. Cancel before it ends and you pay nothing.

DirecTV Stream logo DirecTV Stream plans
Entertainment
$86.99 /mo
  • 90+ live channels
  • Unlimited DVR
  • 5-day free trial
Get DirecTV Stream →
Choice
$114.99 /mo
  • 125+ channels
  • Regional sports nets
  • Unlimited DVR
Get DirecTV Stream →
Ultimate
$129.99 /mo
  • 140+ channels
  • More sports & movies
  • 4K on select events
Get DirecTV Stream →

Is NBCSN free on Hulu + Live TV?

Yes, with a free trial. NBCSN is on Hulu + Live TV, and you can watch it free for Hulu + Live TV's 3-day free trial. Cancel before it ends and you pay nothing.

The “Hulu + Live TV” plan mixes Hulu’s exclusive offering of Originals with around 90 TV channels (the channels available depend on where you live). If you already have Hulu, getting the Live TV addition is usually cheaper than subscribing to another Live TV service. And if when you want to cancel the Live TV plan, you can click “cancel” on Hulu which will give you the option to keep the On-Demand part while canceling the Live TV.

The honest caveat

It caps you at two simultaneous streams, the fewest of the big live-TV services; lifting that cap costs about $10 more a month.

Hulu + Live TV logo Hulu + Live TV plans
With Ads
$82.99 /mo
  • 95+ live channels
  • Disney+ & ESPN+ included
  • Unlimited DVR
Get Hulu + Live TV →
No Ads
$95.99 /mo
  • Ad-free Hulu library
  • 95+ live channels
  • Disney+ & ESPN+ included
Get Hulu + Live TV →

Our breakdown of Hulu + Live TV →

Other National Sports Networks channels4 total
All channels on Hulu + Live TV106 total
A&EABCABC News LiveAnimal PlanetBETBravoCartoon NetworkCBSCBS Sports NetworkCMTCNBCCNNComedy CentralCozi TVDiscovery ChannelDisney ChannelDisney JuniorDisney XDE!ESPNESPN2Food NetworkFOXFox News ChannelFox Sports 1 (FS1)FreeformFXFXXFYIHallmark ChannelHallmark MysteryHGTVHistoryHLNLifetimeMSNBCMTVNational GeographicNBCNBC News NowNBCLXNBCSNNFL NetworkNick Jr.NickelodeonParamount NetworkQVCSEC NetworkSYFYTBSTLCTNTTravel ChanneltruTVUSA NetworkVH1ViceACC NetworkAdult SwimBig Ten NetworkBloomberg TelevisionCBS local channelsCBS NewsCheddar NewsCNN InternationalComedy TVCWDablESPN College ExtraESPNewsESPNUFox BusinessFOX SOULFox Sports 2 (FS2)Fox WeatherFXMGame Show NetworkGet TVGolf ChannelIDJustice Central TVLifetime MoviesLiveNOWLocalishMilitary History ChanelMotor TrendNat Geo WildNBC local channelsNews NationOWNOxygenPopSmithsonian ChannelStart TVTelemundoThe GrioTurner Classic MoviesTVLandUniversal KidsVevo 80sVevo 90sVevo CountryVevo FeaturesVevo Hip-HopVevo PopWeather Channel
Features & what you get8 highlights
  • 95+ channels
  • Ad-supported versions of Disney+ and ESPN Select included
  • Unlimited DVR
  • Ad-free Disney+ and ESPN Select included
  • Ad-free VOD
  • Ad-supported Hulu and Disney+ included
  • Access to Spanish-language channels
  • Access to live TV channels only

Is NBCSN free on YouTube TV?

Yes, with a free trial. NBCSN is on YouTube TV, and you can watch it free for YouTube TV's 7-day free trial. Cancel before it ends and you pay nothing.

Youtube TV has quickly grown into one of the best choices for Live TV, offering both local and national channels like ESPN, CNN, Comedy Central, and others. Youtube TV’s marketing claims that by getting the platform, you could save up to $500 a year on cable. One major draw of the platform is unlimited cloud DVR storage that’s included in the $82.99 plan.

It’s also one of the most widely available Live TV streaming services, as you can get it on virtually every device from Fire TV to XBOX to Smart TV brands like LG.

The honest caveat

At around $83 a month it's one of the priciest options, and add-ons push the bill past $100 fast.

YouTube TV logo YouTube TV plans
Base Plan
$82.99 /mo
  • 100+ live channels
  • Unlimited DVR
  • 6 accounts included
Get YouTube TV →
4K Plus add-on
$9.99 /mo
  • 4K streaming
  • Unlimited home streams
  • Offline DVR
Get YouTube TV →

Our breakdown of YouTube TV →

Other National Sports Networks channels5 total
All channels on YouTube TV144 total
ABCAMCAnimal PlanetBBC AmericaBETBravoCartoon NetworkCBSCBS Sports NetworkCheddarCMTCNBCCNNComedy CentralCometCozi TVDiscovery ChannelDisney ChannelDisney JuniorDisney XDDove ChannelE!ESPNESPN2ESPN3Food NetworkFOXFox Business NetworkFox Sports 1 (FS1)FreeformFXFXXHallmark ChannelHallmark FamilyHallmark MysteryHGTVHLNIFCInvestigation Discovery (ID)IONLaw & CrimeMotorTrendMSNBCMTVNational GeographicNBCNBC News NowNBCLXNBCSNNewsmaxNFL NetworkNick Jr.NickelodeonPBSQVCSEC NetworkSYFYTastemadeTBSThe Weather ChannelTLCTNTTravel ChannelTV LandUSA NetworkVH1WE tvWillowABC (depending on zipcode)ACCNAdult SwimBBC World NewsBET HerBig Ten NetworkBounceCBS local channelsCharge!Cheddar NewsCNBC WorldComedy TVCourt TVDablDisneyDocuramaFox NewsFOX SOULFox Sports 2 (FS2)Fox WeatherFXMGalavisionGame Show NetworkGet TVGolf ChannelHSNJustice Central TVLAFC ChannelLive NowLocal NowLocalishMTV 2MTV ClassicMy TVNat Geo WildNBA TVNBC local channelsNBC UniversoNECNNeonNews NationNicktoonsOrlando City ChannelOWNOxygenOxygen True CrimeParamountPBS KidsPBS local channelsPC MagPopRecipe.TVScripps NewsSmithsonian ChannelSNYStart TVSundance TVTBDTCM (Turner Classic Movies)Teen NickTeleHitTelemundo local channelsTennis 2The CWThe Great CoursesThe Walking Dead UniverseTru TVTurner Classic MoviesTYTUnimasUnimas local channelsUniversal KidsUnivisionUnivision local channelsYouTube OriginalsZen channel
Features & what you get8 highlights
  • 100+ channels
  • Unlimited DVR
  • Six accounts
  • 30+ Spanish channels
  • No base required
  • FS1
  • NBC Sports Network
  • All of the ESPN networks

Is NBCSN free on Sling TV?

No. Sling TV doesn't carry NBCSN.

Is NBCSN free on Philo?

No. Philo doesn't carry NBCSN.

Is NBCSN free on Paramount+?

No. Paramount+ doesn't carry NBCSN.

Is NBCSN free on Peacock?

No. Peacock doesn't carry NBCSN.

Is NBCSN free on Frndly TV?

No. Frndly TV doesn't carry NBCSN.

Stream NBCSN for Free Online

The honest way to watch NBCSN for free is a free trial, and the trick is not to spend them one at a time. Start one, then start the next when it ends, and you can string together a few weeks of free live TV back to back, usually enough to cover a tournament or a playoff run without paying for a month.

Services with a free trial right now

How to Watch NBC Online Without Cable For Free

If you're cutting cable for NBCSN, odds are you want NBC too. It's a sister channel, so every service above that carries NBCSN carries NBC as well, and the same free trials get you both. See our full guide to watching NBC without cable for the per-service breakdown.

Compare every service that carries NBCSN

ServiceFromFree trialPlans
Fubo $84.99/mo 7 days 2 Get it
DirecTV Stream $86.99/mo 5 days 3 Get it
Hulu + Live TV $82.99/mo 3 days 2 Get it
YouTube TV $9.99/mo 7 days 2 Get it

Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest way to watch NBCSN without cable?
YouTube TV Sports Plan is the cheapest way to get NBCSN as a live channel, at $64.99 a month, and it includes it in the base plan instead of charging extra. If you only need NBCSN for a single show or season, there's nothing stopping you from signing up, watching, and cancelling when it's done. You can come back the next time you need it.
Which service here has the longest free trial?
Fubo has the longest free trial at 7 days. That's long enough to actually test it rather than just poke around for an evening. Confirm NBCSN is in your live guide. See how the app runs on your own TV. And if you can, watch a live event on a busy night, when streams are most likely to buckle, before you pay for anything.
Which service carries the most channels?
YouTube TV carries the most of the channels we cover, 68 of them. If you're trying to replace a full cable box and not just chasing NBCSN, that wider lineup can save you from stacking a second subscription on top. It does cost more, though. A bigger lineup almost always means a bigger monthly bill.
Which service has the most National Sports Networks channels?
Fubo6/7
YouTube TV6/7
Hulu with Live TV5/7
YouTube TV Sports + News + Entertainment Plan4/7
YouTube TV Sports Plan4/7
Youtube TV Sports + News Plan4/7
Which service has the most Sports channels?
Fubo10/14
YouTube TV9/14
Hulu with Live TV7/14
YouTube TV Sports + News + Entertainment Plan6/14
YouTube TV Sports Plan6/14
Youtube TV Sports + News Plan6/14
Which service has the most NBCUniversal channels?
Hulu with Live TV6/6
YouTube TV6/6
Fubo4/6
YouTube TV Sports + News + Entertainment Plan3/6
Youtube TV Sports + News Plan2/6
YouTube TV Sports Plan1/6

How we choose the best streaming services

Cheapest is the question everyone starts with, and it's the wrong place to stop. A $35 plan that drops NBCSN the month after you sign up hasn't saved you anything. So the first number we pay attention to is the real one, what you owe after the introductory month ends, not the figure in the ad. From there it comes down to whether the channels you actually want sit in the base plan or get stranded in an add-on, how the service behaves day to day (a slow app and a useless DVR wear on you faster than you'd expect), and how much of a fight it puts up when you decide to leave.

Whatever lands at the top of a list like this is the service that gets most of that right for the most people. Once in a while that's also the cheapest one. Usually it isn't.

Affiliate disclosure

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you sign up through one. That money is part of how we pay writers and keep the site free to read.

About the authors

The people who test, price-check, and update our cord-cutting coverage.

Bilal Zouheir

Bilal Zouheir

Senior Editor & Founder
Bilal started A Good Movie to Watch in 2013 and runs its cord-cutting coverage. A film critic by trade, he has been a pioneer of the streaming age, writing guides on how to watch that have reached millions of users. He's a member of the Nevada Film Critics Society and The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI).
Renee Cuisia

Renee Cuisia

Lead Curator
Renee is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch, and has years of experience closely following streaming releases and writing reviews for streaming services.