Does Apple TV Have Local Sports or RSNs? What It Covers and What You Still Need
The short answer: No. Apple TV doesn't carry any regional sports networks (RSNs) or local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, and you can't add an RSN to it. That means no in-market NBA, NHL or most MLB games. What Apple TV does have, for $14.99 a month with no sports add-on, is every MLS match with no blackouts, every Formula 1 Grand Prix and MLB Friday Night Baseball during the regular season.
What that means for local fans: if your home team plays in MLS, Apple TV covers you. For an NBA or NHL team, you still need the RSN that carries it, through a provider like DIRECTV or a team or RSN app. Both seasons are under way or about to start. The NHL opened September 29, and the NBA tips off October 20. The tables below show what's on Apple TV, which RSN carries several big-market teams, and where to find each one on DIRECTV, all as of October 7, 2026.
What Apple TV covers, and what's left in 2026
Checked October 7, 2026 against Apple's Apple TV and MLS pages, MLS and Formula 1 schedules, and DIRECTV's sports add-on page.
| Sport | On Apple TV? | Local games and blackouts | Still to come in 2026 | On DIRECTV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLS | Yes, every match, included | No blackouts, so your home club is included | Regular season through Decision Day, Nov. 7. Playoffs start Nov. 18, and MLS Cup is Dec. 18 (also on FOX) | With Apple TV: channels 480–494 |
| Formula 1 | Yes, every Grand Prix, included | National, so no local blackouts | Singapore Oct. 9–11, United States Oct. 23–25, Mexico City Oct. 30–Nov. 1, São Paulo Nov. 6–8, Las Vegas Nov. 19–21, Qatar Nov. 27–29, Abu Dhabi Dec. 4–6 | With Apple TV: channel 930 |
| MLB | Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders, regular season only | Blackout-free, even for your local team | None. The regular season is over and the postseason isn't on Apple TV | Postseason on TBS, truTV, FOX and FS1 with CHOICE and up or MySports |
| NBA | No | Local games air on RSNs, team channels or local stations | Season opens Oct. 20 | RSNs with CHOICE and up, or MySports plus MyHome Team |
| NHL | No | Local games air on RSNs, team channels or local stations | Season opened Sept. 29 | RSNs with CHOICE and up, or MySports plus MyHome Team |
| Local broadcast sports (NFL Sundays, college games) | No local channels | Depends on your local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations | NFL and college football every weekend | Local channels included in DIRECTV packages in most markets |
An Apple TV streaming box doesn't add local stations either. We cover that in does Apple TV have local broadcast channels, and race-weekend tips are in how to watch F1 on Apple TV.
Where local teams air instead: RSNs and DIRECTV channels
Apple TV can't help with these teams. Here is the RSN for several major markets and the DIRECTV channel DIRECTV lists for it, checked October 7, 2026 on DIRECTV's team guides and RSN locator. RSNs are only available inside each network's home area, and availability varies by ZIP code.
| Team(s) | Regional sports network | DIRECTV channel | Peacock RSN add-on? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | NBC Sports Boston | 630 | Yes |
| Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants | NBC Sports Bay Area | 696 | Yes |
| Sacramento Kings, San Jose Sharks, Athletics | NBC Sports California | Carried; check your ZIP for the channel | Yes |
| Philadelphia 76ers, Flyers, Phillies | NBC Sports Philadelphia | Not listed in DIRECTV's Phillies guide; check your ZIP | Yes |
| Boston Red Sox | NESN | 628 | No |
| New York Yankees | YES Network | 631 | No |
| New York Mets | SportsNet New York (SNY) | 639 | No |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Spectrum SportsNet LA | 690 | No |
| Chicago Cubs | Marquee Sports Network | 664 | No |
| Atlanta Braves | BravesVision | 645 | No |
The NBA and NHL teams in the first four rows are the ones to watch this fall, since the NHL is under way and the NBA starts October 20. For the other networks, we list only the teams DIRECTV names in its own guides. Several of those networks also carry NBA or NHL teams, so check your ZIP code. On DIRECTV, RSNs come with the CHOICE package or higher, or with the MyHome Team add-on for the MySports Genre Pack, and a regional sports fee based on your billing ZIP code applies. Our guide to the DIRECTV regional sports fee explains how that charge works.
Want to know which RSN your ZIP code gets and which DIRECTV package includes it? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884 and we'll check your address.
The Peacock workaround, and what it really requires
The Streamable's guide suggests pairing Apple TV with Peacock Premium Plus to unlock an NBC Sports RSN. Peacock's own help center, updated September 30, 2026, says the RSN add-ons work with Peacock Select, Premium or Premium Plus, so you don't need the top plan or an Apple TV bundle. The limits:
- Only four networks: NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California.
- Home ZIP required: you must be inside the RSN's territory to buy it and to watch for the first time. After that it works on the road for up to 37 days before you have to check in from home again.
- Blackouts still apply in some ZIP codes, depending on league and team rules.
If your team is on YES, NESN, SNY, Marquee, Spectrum SportsNet LA or a FanDuel Sports Network channel, Peacock can't help. For more on the add-on, see how to watch NBC Sports regional networks on Peacock.
What each option costs as of October 7, 2026
| Option | Monthly price | Local RSN? | Apple TV sports? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple TV only | $14.99 (Apple) | No | Yes |
| Apple TV plus a Peacock plan and RSN add-on | $14.99 plus your Peacock plan plus the add-on (priced at checkout) | Only the four NBC Sports RSNs | Yes |
| DIRECTV MySports plus MyHome Team | $84.98 ($69.98 the first month) | Yes, RSNs in your area; varies by market | Add Apple TV separately |
| DIRECTV CHOICE | $94.99 ($64.99 the first month), plus the regional sports fee for your ZIP | Yes, varies by ZIP | Add Apple TV separately |
DIRECTV prices are from directv.com on October 7, 2026, before taxes and fees. MySports alone is $64.99 a month, and MyHome Team adds $19.99. Apple lists Apple TV at $14.99 a month after its August 28, 2026 price increase. DIRECTV's sports add-ons FAQ still showed $12.99 on October 7, so confirm the price when you add it.
What to do now
- MLS fan: Apple TV alone covers every match, including your home club. On DIRECTV, add Apple TV and watch on channels 480–494.
- F1 fan: Apple TV has the rest of the season, starting with Singapore this weekend. DIRECTV customers with Apple TV can tune to channel 930.
- NBA or NHL fan: find your team's RSN first, then pick the cheapest way to get it. YouTube TV and Fubo carry fewer RSNs than DIRECTV, and we compare them in YouTube TV's local sports and RSNs vs DIRECTV and Fubo's My Local Sports add-on vs DIRECTV.
- Want everything in one guide: a DIRECTV package with your RSN plus the Apple TV add-on puts local teams, MLS and F1 in one place. See DIRECTV regional sports networks for the broader list.
Ready to line up your RSN, MLS and F1 on one bill? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884 to compare DIRECTV packages at your address.
Frequently asked questions
Does Apple TV have any regional sports networks?
No. Apple TV doesn't carry any RSNs, and you can't add one to an Apple TV subscription. In-market NBA, NHL and most MLB games air on RSNs, team channels or local stations, so you need a TV provider such as DIRECTV or a team or RSN app to watch them.
Can I watch my local MLS team on Apple TV?
Yes. Every MLS match streams on Apple TV at no extra cost and with no local blackouts, so you can watch your home club wherever you live. The 2026 regular season ends with Decision Day on November 7, the playoffs start November 18 and MLS Cup is December 18.
Can I get Apple TV on DIRECTV?
Yes. DIRECTV offers Apple TV on both satellite and streaming plans. Once you subscribe, you can watch in the Apple TV app or on DIRECTV channels 480 to 494 for MLS and channel 930 for F1.
Do I need Peacock Premium Plus to add an NBC Sports RSN?
No. Peacock's help center says the NBC Sports RSN add-ons (Boston, Philadelphia, Bay Area and California) can be added to Peacock Select, Premium or Premium Plus. You must live inside that RSN's territory to buy it.
Is MLB Friday Night Baseball still on Apple TV?
Friday Night Baseball is still part of Apple TV, but it only runs during the MLB regular season, which is over for 2026. The 2026 postseason is on NBC and Peacock, TBS, truTV, HBO Max, FOX and FS1, not Apple TV.
Questions about RSNs or adding Apple TV to DIRECTV? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 7, 2026 (ET). Based on The Streamable's October 7, 2026 Apple TV local sports guide; Apple's Apple TV and MLS pages; MLS and Formula 1 2026 schedules; NBA and NHL 2026–27 schedule announcements; Peacock's RSN help article; and DIRECTV's sports add-on, Genre Pack, MLB, RSN locator and team guide pages. Prices, channel numbers and RSN availability change and vary by ZIP code. Apple TV, MLS, Formula 1, MLB, NBA, NHL, Peacock, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.