How to watch the NBA on YouTube TV
With so many live games available on various online streaming sites, sports fans are spoiled for choice. To watch their favorite team play, fans no longer need to commit to an expensive, lengthy cable contract. Choosing which streaming service to join up for is frequently the toughest issue.
With the help of YouTube TV, users may enjoy more than 70 live channels that feature entertainment, news, and sports content. Basketball fans have a lot of options for watching NBA activity because the National Basketball Association (NBA) regularly airs on ABC, ESPN, FOX Sports, NBA TV, NBC Sports Network, and TNT.
Although it is owned by YouTube, a Google subsidiary, the streaming service is independent of the well-known video website. Instead, it offers a similar experience to cable TV, allowing users to watch live channels and on-demand material on their computer, smart TV, streaming device, or mobile device. Acorn, Cinemax, Epix, FOX Soccer Plus, HBO Now, NBA League Pass, SHOWTIME, and STARZ are just a few of the premium video providers whose add-ons are accessible through this service.
The unlimited Cloud Digital Video Recorder function of YouTube TV, which allows customers to record as much content as they like and retain it for up to 9 months, is a standout feature. NBA fans will love being able to record live games they might miss and view them later. Additionally, it allows users to create up to six different profiles per account, each of which has a separate place for recording content, and view the service on up to three simultaneous streams.
An overview of how to watch the NBA on YouTube TV is given in this article. Read our YouTube TV review for additional details about the service. Additionally, learn more about YouTube TV’s channels, bundles, and costs. Or check out the promotions and free trials that YouTube TV is now offering. Additionally, see our guide to the top sports streaming services for more details on other places to watch live games.
YouTube TV plans and sports channels compared
| ABC | ✔ |
| ESPN | ✔ |
| ESPN 2 | ✔ |
| FOX Sports | ✔ |
| NBA TV | ✔ |
| NBC Sports | ✔ |
| TNT | ✔ |
YouTube TV offers two plans: the Base Plan and the Spanish Plan.
Base Plan
- $72.99/month
- 100+ live channels, including ESPN, TNT, NBA TV, FS1, and NFL Network
- Unlimited DVR space
- Special features like Key Plays View
- 6 household accounts and 3 streams
Spanish Plan
- $34.99/month
- 30+ Spanish networks, including Fox Deportes, El Ultimo Rey, and Mexicanicos
- Unlimited DVR space
- Special features like Key Plays View
- 6 household accounts and 3 streams
YouTube TV also offers a Sports Plus add-on for $10.99/month. This add-on includes NFL RedZone, beIN SPORTS, Stadium, MAVTV, and other sports networks.
YouTube TV Sports Channels
YouTube TV is the only live TV streaming service that includes NFL Network and NBA TV in its base package. It is also the only service that offers NFL Sunday Ticket, which gives access to all out-of-market games.
YouTube TV vs. Other Live TV Streaming Services
YouTube TV compares favorably to other live TV streaming services in terms of sports channels. Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV do not include NFL Network in their base packages, and Hulu + Live TV does not include NBA TV. Sling TV does not offer NFL Sunday Ticket.
However, YouTube TV is one of the more expensive live TV streaming services. Hulu + Live TV starts at $69.99/month, and Sling TV starts at $35/month.
Overall, YouTube TV is a good option for sports fans who want to watch a wide variety of live sports, including NFL Network and NBA TV. However, it is important to note that YouTube TV is one of the more expensive live TV streaming services.
Can I stream every NBA game on YouTube TV?
Broadcasts on national television versus what is available in local markets.
Shared nationally televised NBA coverage is provided by ABC, ESPN, and TNT, all of which are accessible to YouTube TV users. Local market networks cannot access games that are broadcast by national networks because they are exclusive to these channels. The NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals will be broadcast on these national networks.
Regional sports networks broadcast the majority of NBA games live in local markets. Subscribers to YouTube TV, are primarily televised by FOX Sports or NBC Sports. There are a few exceptions to this rule though, with seven NBA teams having their games televised on networks not offered by YouTube TV.
Streaming your favorite NBA team
YouTube TV enables fans of 23 out of the 30 NBA franchises to watch their favorite team in their local market. Brooklyn Nets games are broadcast on YES Network, Denver Nuggets games are exclusively aired on Altitude, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Utah Jazz games are only available through AT&T Sports Net, LA Clippers games are carried by FOX Sports Prime Ticket, and New York Knicks games are only on MSG.
| Team and Local Network | YouTube TV |
| Atlanta HawksFOX Sports Southeast | ✔ |
| Boston CelticsNBC Sports Boston | ✔ |
| Brooklyn NetsYES Network | |
| Charlotte HornetsFOX Sports Southeast | ✔ |
| Chicago BullsNBC Sports Chicago | ✔ |
| Cleveland CavaliersFOX Sports Ohio | ✔ |
| Dallas MavericksFOX Sports Southwest | ✔ |
| Denver NuggetsAltitude | |
| Detroit PistonsFOX Sports Detroit | ✔ |
| Golden State WarriorsNBC Sports Bay Area | ✔ |
| Houston RocketsAT&T SportsNet Southwest | |
| Indiana PacersFOX Sports Indiana | ✔ |
| LA ClippersFOX Sports Prime Ticket | |
| Los Angeles LakersSpectrum SportsNet | |
| Memphis GrizzliesFOX Sports Southeast | ✔ |
| Miami HeatFOX Sports Sun | ✔ |
| Milwaukee BucksFOX Sports Wisconsin | ✔ |
| Minnesota TimberwolvesFOX Sports North | ✔ |
| New Orleans PelicansFOX Sports New Orleans | ✔ |
| New York KnicksMSG | |
| Oklahoma City ThunderFOX Sports Oklahoma | ✔ |
| Orlando MagicFOX Sports Florida | ✔ |
| Philadelphia 76ersNBC Sports Philadelphia | ✔ |
| Phoenix SunsFOX Sports Arizona | ✔ |
| Portland Trail BlazersNBC Sports Northwest | ✔ |
| Sacramento KingsNBC Sports California | ✔ |
| San Antonio SpursFOX Sports Southwest | ✔ |
| Utah JazzAT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain | |
| Washington WizardsNBC Sports Washington | ✔ |
What about out-of-market broadcasts?
NBA League Pass on YouTube TV allows fans who do not reside in the local area of their preferred team to watch almost all games live in other markets. For an extra $40 per month, you may subscribe to the NBA League Pass YouTube TV subscription. Alternatively, viewers can pay $119.99/year for an annual membership to watch every game of a specific team throughout the entire NBA season. For $199.99 per year, NBA fans may watch all of their favorite teams’ games live during the whole season. Another choice is to pay $249.99 a year and watch every NBA game with an in-arena stream during commercial breaks.
FAQs
How much does YouTube TV cost?
YouTube TV subscription costs $72.99/month. This price includes access to over 100+ live TV channels, including those that broadcast NBA games. There are no long-term contracts or hidden fees, and you can cancel your subscription at any time.
What devices can I use to access YouTube TV?
You can access YouTube TV on a variety of devices including smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, streaming devices, and gaming consoles. Some examples of compatible devices include Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Mobile phones, smart devices, Android devices, and iOS.
How to connect devices for the NBA on YouTube TV?
To connect devices to the NBA on YouTube TV, you need to download the app, sign in, and search for the channel where the game is live and watch.
Is it possible to watch the NBA outside the US on YouTube TV?
It is not possible to watch NBA games on YouTube TV outside the US. However, you can use a VPN service to access YouTube TV from outside the US, where you need a valid United States address.
Above all, you can enjoy all NBA games through YouTube TV.
Conclusion
NBA fans may access a strong service from YouTube TV that includes both nationally televised games and local and out-of-market matchups.
The majority of NBA streams in local markets may be found on FOX Sports and NBC Sports RSNs, which are accessible through YouTube TV. Its channel list also includes ABC, ESPN, and TNT, the three networks that carry every NBA game nationally. Additionally, YouTube TV members have the option to subscribe to NBA League Pass through the platform, which grants access to all live games for every club in the league.
Subscribers to YouTube TV can stream other sports and watch NBA games live by using an antenna like HDHomeRun. They can now use their TV to access local digital channels as a result.
YouTube TV is slightly more expensive ($64.99/month) than other streaming services like fuboTV and Hulu + Live TV ($54.99/month each). However, the site offers a 7-day free trial so that new users can test it out before committing to a membership.
