TL;DR: Yes, you can watch NHL games on Hulu, but only through Hulu + Live TV subscription. This service includes local, regional, and national NHL broadcasts. However, the availability of games might vary based on your location and the broadcasting rights of the games.
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Understanding Hulu’s Offerings
Before diving into the specifics of watching NHL on Hulu, it’s important to understand Hulu’s service tiers. Hulu primarily offers three services:
- Hulu’s basic on-demand service
- Hulu (No Ads)
- Hulu + Live TV
While the first two provide on-demand content from Hulu’s library, Hulu + Live TV includes over 65 live and on-demand channels along with Hulu’s basic on-demand service.
How To Watch NHL On Hulu
To watch NHL games, you’ll need a Hulu + Live TV subscription. Here are the steps you should follow:
- Navigate to Hulu’s website or open the Hulu app.
- Sign in to your account or create a new one.
- Upgrade to Hulu + Live TV.
Note: You will have a free trial available if you haven’t used it yet.
- Once upgraded, you can watch live NHL games on the NBC, NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), and your local FOX Sports and NBC Regional Sports Networks (subject to regional availability and blackouts).
Note: The ability to watch specific games will vary based on your location and the broadcasting rights of the games.
Using Devices to Stream NHL on Hulu
You can watch Hulu + Live TV and, by extension, NHL games on a variety of devices. Here’s a quick rundown of the devices supported:- Smart TVs (select models)
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
- Apple TV
- Xbox One and Xbox 360
- PlayStation 4
- Nintendo Switch
- iOS and Android devices
- Web browsers
I recommend using a device that supports the latest Hulu app to ensure the best streaming experience. This includes access to all the features, such as the ability to watch live TV.
Geographical Considerations
As previously mentioned, the ability to watch specific NHL games on Hulu + Live TV can vary based on your geographical location due to regional availability and blackouts. The broadcast rights for each NHL game are often split between local, regional, and national broadcasters.
For example, if you live in Chicago and the Chicago Blackhawks game is being broadcast on a local Chicago station, you’ll need to be in that local broadcast area to watch the game. This is what’s known as regional availability.
Blackouts, on the other hand, occur when a game is not available to watch live in a specific area, usually because a local station has the exclusive broadcast rights in that region.
Tips for a Better Streaming Experience
To get the most out of your NHL viewing experience on Hulu, here are a few additional tips:
- Ensure your internet connection is fast and stable. A minimum internet speed of 8 Mbps is recommended for live streams on Hulu, but the faster the better, especially if multiple devices are using the same network.
- Use a device that supports the latest Hulu app. This will give you access to all the features of Hulu + Live TV, including live NHL games.
- Consider your geographical location and the broadcasting rights for specific games. This can affect which NHL games you’re able to watch on Hulu.
Note: Not all NHL games are available to watch live on Hulu due to the broadcasting rights of the games. However, you can use an NHL.TV subscription to watch out-of-market games.
Alternatives and Overlooked Tips
While Hulu + Live TV is a robust service for NHL streaming, it’s not your only option. Services like Sling TV, AT&T TV, and fuboTV also offer NHL game broadcasts. Additionally, the NHL Network offers the NHL Center Ice and NHL.TV packages for those looking to watch out-of-market games.
One commonly overlooked tip when watching NHL on Hulu or any other streaming service is to make sure your internet connection is fast and stable. Streaming live sports requires more bandwidth than regular on-demand content, and a weak connection might lead to lagging or buffering.
Conclusion
Watching NHL on Hulu is a straightforward process once you know which service to subscribe to and how to navigate the platform. It’s an excellent choice for NHL fans who want to cut the cord and move to streaming services. Just make sure you have a reliable internet connection and a Hulu + Live TV subscription to enjoy the games seamlessly.
FAQ
Does Hulu get the NHL channel?
Yes, Hulu + Live TV includes the NHL Network among its channel lineup. Therefore, you can watch live NHL games and other NHL related content on Hulu.
Do you have to have Hulu live to watch NHL?
Yes, you need to have a Hulu + Live TV subscription to watch NHL games. The basic Hulu on-demand service does not provide live sports broadcasts.
How can I stream all NHL games?
Streaming all NHL games requires a subscription to a service that includes all the channels broadcasting NHL games, such as Hulu + Live TV. Alternatively, NHL’s own streaming service, NHL.TV, allows you to watch out-of-market games.
What streaming service has NHL Network?
Several streaming services offer the NHL Network, including Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and AT&T TV. Always check the current channel lineup as it can change over time.
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