Watching local sports teams is not necessarily a thing you have to spend a fortune with a cable service anymore. More streaming services and over-the-air TV options mean that cord-cutters have more options as to how they can watch local games without having to pay for a cable bill that they can’t afford. Here, you will find information about some great cable-free ways you can follow your home teams.
Use a TV Antenna
The easiest way of watching local sports without a cable subscription is to buy an over-the-air or OTA antenna. OTA antennas can access free local broadcasts from famous networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox, among others that air many national and local games. For instance, NFL football is usually aired on Sundays, college basketball games especially those in the March Madness tournament as well as MLB baseball games on Saturdays.
It is cheaper to install an indoor or outdoor antenna than to pay for a year’s cable service fee. Some channels may be unavailable in some regions, but essentially, there are regions where clients get more than 30 free channels that air numerous sports content without monthly payments. So long as you’re within a relatively close distance from your local broadcast towers it’s possible to cut the cord and still watch the big games with the help of an OTA antenna.
Try Live TV Streaming
Bundling of movie streaming has also been made possible as a cable replacement service through Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Sling TV. They give the user immediate and direct access to dozens of cable networks that air frequently, and there are often regional sports networks such as NBC Sports Philadelphia and Spectrum SportsNet LA. These services allow local games to be viewed live or the programming to be viewed at the viewers’ convenience at a later date.
For instance, the streaming packages keep costing per month but at an average of $50-75 per month, unlike the huge cable packages. You also frequently receive bonuses, such as the ability to record the games of more of your favorite teams with unlimited cloud DVR storage. Just be sure of what local or regional sporting channels are available in your region before you subscribe to them.
Use a Streaming ‘Pass’
Certain sports leagues or TV providers may also allow subscribers to purchase specialty packages or sports to follow their regional teams online.
For instance, viewers subscribed to the DIRECTV STREAM Choice package can pay $8. 99 for the Pro Sports add-on every month. This liberates the ability to view obscure local networks such as AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain or Spectrum SportsNet. NBA League Pass Broadband costs $14. 99 every month and offers live regular-season basketball games. It is available depending on the streaming service and locations; look for which passes are available in your area.
Make use of the free streaming of the shows that you have downloaded.
Sometimes, the local coverage of a particular sport is limited, and one can watch the event for free. Most local TV stations have apps or websites such as CBS Sports and NBC Sports that provide feeds of national and regional games to desktops and mobile devices. Many times, you can just create a free account to access live sports.
Sporting leagues have also started to adopt Direct to Consumer (DTC) rights selling for streaming. NFL delivers live mobile coverage of local and primetime games through Yahoo Sports, NFL App, and several other services and one does not require a cable authentication to watch. As before, access can be limited; however, the streaming of pro sports events is alive and thriving.
Consider Season Passes
However, in terms of saving money, if your paramount concern is to follow a specific team, then purchasing a season pass can be cost-effective. TV networks like NBA League Pass and MLB. TV offers all the out-of-market games for a fan’s favorite team franchise, enabling diehard supporters to watch an entire season.
Just note that there are certain blackout rules when it comes to getting these passes. There may be limitations to the games to be played depending on whether they are televised locally or nationally. However, the season passes give you access to over 100 games at a one-time payment, ideal for dedicated fans outside of their favorite team’s TV region.
If you have a chance go to the Sports Bar
Finally, the most communally accessible cable-free experience is to go to a nearby sports bar. Presumably, satellite packages or streaming accounts provide bars for even out-of-market games that are rare. And you will get to enjoy a live game feeling, watching the key moments on numerous screens with like-minded people.
The drinks and food might cost you, but watching at a sports bar makes a lot of sense, especially in eliminating cable bills and streaming service charges. I might suggest assembling people to order some wings and pitchers without having to pay any money via offerings.
Game On!
But the days when viewers had to tune in to cable to follow local teams are quickly coming to an end. Given that there are now streaming services, antennas, sports bars, and other cable-cutting options, supporting your regional clubs is a lot less complicated and less costly. Some of the above ideas can be tried to cut down expensive cable bills while not losing the favorite programs, especially the games.
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