This post was written in partnership with Sling TV.
The Charlotte Hornets have struggled this season. That said, they’ve been able to string together a series of small winning streaks, thanks to the steady play of Miles Bridges and company. And they could finish the season with momentum they could use for next year.
If you’re a Hornets fan hoping to stream NBA games live without cable, we can help. Our guide tells you which channels you’ll need and the best streaming platforms to catch Hornets games live.
The Hornets have games broadcasted on ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TNT and Bally Sports Southeast. Below is a glance at how the top live TV streaming platforms compare for access to the channels you need to catch all the Hornets games:
Sling TV | DIRECTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABC |
✔* |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
ESPN |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
TNT |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
NBA TV |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Bally Sports Southeast |
✔ |
✔ |
|||
*Local channels only available in select locations |
Streaming all the Hornets games can get expensive. If you’re looking for a way to catch a few matches and keep up with the rest of the league, Sling TV is worth a look. This budget-friendly streaming service offers streamlined, customizable plans that include some of the best of cable TV.
For instance, with a subscription to Sling Orange & Blue for $55 a month, you’ll have access to ESPN and TNT. In some markets, though not Charlotte, you’ll also have ABC thrown in. You can then upgrade your plan to add NBA TV. If you want even more sports coverage, you can get the Sports Extra add-on for $11 a month. All Sling TV plans include 50 hours of cloud DVR storage, but keep in mind that you won’t be able to watch regional coverage on Bally Sports Southeast.
DIRECTV STREAM is the only streaming platform offering Hornets fans every channel you need. Each package includes ESPN, ABC and TNT. However, if you want NBA TV and regional sports networks like Bally Sports Southeast, you’ll need to upgrade to the Choice plan or above. The Choice plan starts from $123.98 per month, making it by far the most expensive streaming option to consider.
However, keep in mind you’ll have every channel you need to stream every Hornets game live. On top of this, each plan features unlimited recording space and unlimited device streams. This sets the service apart from other providers, which offer fewer streams with their service. Overall, DIRECTV STREAM is big on price, but it packs a lot of features and entertainment to make it worth it.
As far as sports streaming options go, Fubo is a close second to DIRECTV STREAM for Hornets fans. The service doesn’t include TNT, but no Hornets games are scheduled to air on that network during the 2023-24 season.
Otherwise, the basic Pro plan will get you access to all regional Hornets games on Bally Sports Southeast, plus plenty of other NBA action on ESPN and ABC and tons of other live sports across networks like ESPN2, FS1, Big Ten Network, NFL Network and beIN Sports. You’ll also get 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage. At a price point of $79.99 (plus a $10.99 regional sports fee), this package is a great value. However, to get NBA TV, you’ll need to upgrade to the Elite plan for an extra $10 per month or choose one of the add-on packages, which range from $7.99 to $10.99 per month.
Outside the Hornets TV market, you can add NBA League Pass for $14.99 a month and watch every Hornets game this season.
Hulu + Live TV is one of the more unique offerings on this list. Hornet fans will enjoy the ability to stream games on ABC, TNT and ESPN with the base package for $76.99 per month. You’ll also enjoy more than 90 channels, unlimited recording and access to Hulu’s diverse on-demand library.
There are drawbacks to using Hulu + Live TV. Notably, you won’t have access to NBA TV or Bally Sports Southeast, which means you won’t be able to stream any games airing on these channels. That aside, Hulu offers a lot of entertainment value that makes it a smart option for Hornets fans wanting to catch some of the bigger games on national networks but don’t mind missing the regional contests.
Last but not least, Hornets fans should check out their options with YouTube TV for the 2023-24 season. However, the base plan won’t offer much in terms of Hornets action, and if you live in the Charlotte area, you might be disappointed. There’s no regional coverage on YouTube TV, so you’ll have to be content with a couple of Hornets matchups and plenty of other NBA coverage across ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV.
If you live outside Charlotte, however, that’s another story. In that case, you can add NBA League Pass to your plan for $14.99 a month and catch every Hornets game. Plus, with more than 100 channels and unlimited cloud DVR storage in the base plan for $72.99 per month, YouTube TV boasts one of the best packages in live TV streaming.
If you live outside the Charlotte TV market, you’ve got one simple option to ensure you can watch every Hornets game this season. NBA League Pass, the league’s over-the-top service, grants you access to all out-of-market games that aren’t showing on national TV.
A full-season subscription costs $99.99, and that will get you access to every team outside your local market. If you only want to watch Hornets games, you can opt for the single-team option at $89.99 per season. NBA League Pass is also available as an add-on through DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo or YouTube TV, and you can buy it through some cable TV providers or streaming partners such as Roku or Amazon.
You’ll need Hulu’s live TV service to stream Hornets games live. Hulu + Live TV carries ESPN, ABC and TNT, giving you ample ways to catch Charlotte’s nationally aired games.
Games might be blacked out in your area because they’re shown on national networks. This is why if you’re an out-of-market Hornets fan, you can bypass this with NBA League Pass. If you’re a local fan, you’ll need a streaming service with Bally Sports Southeast.
No, Paramount Plus doesn’t stream NBA games. You’ll need a live streaming platform offering channels like ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV to catch contests live.