How to Watch the 2026-27 NBA Season Without Cable
You do not need a traditional cable package to watch the 2026-27 NBA season. National games are split among ABC and ESPN, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video, with NBA TV adding more. Local-team coverage now varies by market—some teams still use regional sports networks, while others moved to free over-the-air stations or DAZN after FanDuel Sports Network shut down. This guide maps the national rights, League Pass, live-TV streamers and antenna options so you can build a cord-free setup that fits how you watch.
Quick answer for most cord-cutters:
- National TV games: a live-TV streamer (or DIRECTV) that carries ESPN, ABC and NBC, plus separate Peacock and Prime Video subscriptions for exclusives.
- Out-of-market teams: NBA League Pass (blackouts apply for local and exclusive national games).
- Your home team: antenna for free local broadcasts where available, a streamer or DIRECTV package that carries your RSN, or that team's DAZN / app plan.
Want help matching packages to your ZIP code? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
2026-27 NBA national TV rights (no cable required)
The regular season runs from Tuesday, October 20, 2026, through Sunday, April 11, 2027. This is the second season of the league's media deals with Disney (ABC/ESPN), NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock) and Amazon (Prime Video). TNT no longer carries the NBA.
| Partner | About how many regular-season games | Typical windows | How cord-cutters watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBC / Peacock | 100 | Opening night, Tuesday and Sunday nights, Holiday Hoops, All-Star Weekend in Phoenix (Feb. 19–21, 2027) | Local NBC on a live-TV streamer or antenna; Peacock for every NBC Sports game and Monday exclusives (also on NBCSN where carried) |
| ABC / ESPN | 80 | Wednesday nights, Friday doubleheaders later in the season, Saturday Primetime, Sunday Showcase, Christmas Day five-game slate | ESPN/ESPN2 and local ABC on a live-TV streamer or DIRECTV; ESPN App streams for authenticated / ESPN Unlimited viewers |
| Prime Video | 66 | Friday nights (plus Thursday and Saturday afternoons from midseason), NBA Cup knockouts, Play-In Tournament, Eastern Conference Finals | Amazon Prime Video app (separate subscription) |
| NBA TV | About 60 (schedule announced separately) | Regular-season slate starting late October, plus studio shows | Live-TV streamers or DIRECTV packages that include NBA TV |
Postseason snapshot: the Play-In Tournament is exclusive to Prime Video. First- and second-round games are split among ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Prime Video. The 2027 Western Conference Finals are on ESPN/ABC, the Eastern Conference Finals are on Prime Video, and the NBA Finals are on ABC.
Live-TV streamers that replace cable for NBA nights
A full live-TV service is still the simplest way to get ESPN, ABC, NBC and (on many plans) NBA TV without a cable contract. Channel availability and local affiliates vary by ZIP code—always confirm before you subscribe.
| Service | Why NBA fans look at it | Local / RSN notes |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | Broad national sports lineup (ESPN suite, FS1, NBA TV on many plans) and strong local ABC/CBS/FOX/NBC coverage in most markets | Excellent locals in most ZIPs; does not carry traditional RSNs |
| Hulu + Live TV | ESPN, ABC, NBC and other national sports channels, plus the Hulu library and Disney+/ESPN app access with the Live TV plan | Locals in many markets; generally no RSN carriage |
| DIRECTV Stream / DIRECTV via Internet | National NBA channels plus the MySports Genre Pack option for a sports-focused lineup | Choice-tier and MySports options can include remaining regional sports networks where DIRECTV carries them |
| Fubo | Sports-heavy channel stack; useful if your market still has an RSN Fubo carries | Locals and select RSNs vary by ZIP; verify before you buy |
None of these streamers replace Peacock Monday exclusives or Prime Video's Friday / Play-In package by themselves. Budget for those apps if you want every nationally exclusive game.
Comparing live-TV options at your address? Call 1-855-690-9884.
NBA League Pass for out-of-market games
NBA League Pass is built for fans who follow teams outside their home market. It streams out-of-market regular-season games that are not on exclusive national TV. In the U.S., games involving your local team are blacked out live when they air on your market's local outlet, and exclusive national telecasts are also unavailable live on League Pass.
- Buy through NBA.com / the NBA App, as an add-on on participating TV providers (including DIRECTV), or through Amazon as a digital distributor.
- DIRECTV satellite customers can add League Pass; streaming customers add League Pass Premium. DIRECTV says the 2026-27 package arrives in October.
- League Pass is a regular-season product—playoff games stay on the national networks and streamers listed above.
Check current League Pass pricing and your ZIP-code blackouts on NBA.com before you subscribe; we do not list a dollar amount here because offers change during the season.
Antenna and local RSN notes for your home team
Local viewing changed a lot for 2026-27. After FanDuel Sports Network shut down, many former FDSN teams moved local games to free over-the-air stations, team apps or DAZN. Other clubs kept established RSNs such as MSG, YES, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Bay Area, Spectrum SportsNet, Altitude and Monumental.
- Free OTA / antenna markets: Teams such as the Hawks, Hornets, Mavericks, Pistons, Heat, Bucks, Thunder, Magic, Suns, Trail Blazers, Jazz and Pelicans air many local games on broadcast stations. An indoor or outdoor HD antenna can pull those in where the signal is strong—no monthly fee.
- DAZN-exclusive locals: Cavaliers, Pacers, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Spurs use DAZN as their exclusive local home. That is a separate subscription and is not a DIRECTV channel.
- Remaining RSNs: If your team is still on an RSN, look at DIRECTV Choice (or MySports with MyHome Team) or another provider that still carries that network in your ZIP. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV generally do not include traditional RSNs.
For a team-by-team DIRECTV map, see our guide to NBA on DIRECTV. Pistons and Pelicans fans often start with free local stations plus a national streamer for ESPN, NBC and ABC windows.
Sample cord-cutter setups
| If you mostly watch… | Start with | Add |
|---|---|---|
| National marquee nights only | YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV or DIRECTV MySports for ESPN/ABC/NBC | Peacock + Prime Video |
| One out-of-market favorite team | League Pass | A live-TV plan (or antenna) for national windows you care about |
| Your local team on free TV | HD antenna | Live-TV streamer or MySports for ESPN nights; Peacock/Prime as needed |
| Your local team on an RSN | DIRECTV Choice / MySports with MyHome Team (where carried) | Peacock + Prime Video for exclusives |
| Your local team on DAZN | That team's DAZN plan | Live-TV streamer for national games |
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch the entire 2026-27 NBA season without cable?
Yes, if you combine a live-TV streamer (or antenna plus apps) for ABC/ESPN/NBC windows with Peacock, Prime Video and—when needed—League Pass or your team's local streaming partner. No single free app carries every game.
Do I still need TNT for NBA games?
No. TNT stopped carrying the NBA after the 2024-25 season. National games now air on ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, Prime Video and NBA TV.
Is Peacock required?
If you want Monday night exclusives and every NBC Sports telecast in the Peacock app, yes. Local NBC affiliates still carry many NBC windows over the air or on live-TV streamers, but Peacock-only Mondays need the Peacock subscription (or NBCSN where a provider carries it).
Will League Pass show my local team's games live?
No. In-market local telecasts and exclusive national games are blacked out live on League Pass in the U.S.
What is the cheapest way to watch?
It depends on your team. Antenna-first markets can cover many home games for a one-time hardware cost, then add only the national apps you need. RSN and DAZN markets usually need a paid local path plus a national plan. Call 1-855-690-9884 if you want a ZIP-specific comparison that includes DIRECTV options.
Details reviewed October 5, 2026. National rights summaries follow NBA and partner announcements for 2026-27. Channel lineups, local TV partners, blackout rules, package prices and streaming apps change by ZIP code and can change without notice. Taxes may apply. NBA, NBA League Pass, NBA TV, ESPN, ABC, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, DIRECTV, YouTube TV, Hulu, Fubo, DAZN and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.