How to Watch Minnesota Wild Amid Wild+ Comcast and DIRECTV Carriage Talks (Oct 2026)
The 2026-27 Minnesota Wild season opened without carriage deals for the team's new local network, Wild+, on two of the Twin Cities' largest pay-TV platforms: Comcast/Xfinity and DIRECTV. Fans who expected games on their usual cable or satellite lineup instead found a mix of streaming options, a public spat with Comcast over package tiers, and ongoing NHL-led talks that also cover St. Louis, Carolina and Columbus.
This guide explains what changed after FanDuel Sports Network's exit, where Wild+ is available today, why Comcast and DIRECTV matter most, and practical ways to watch while negotiations continue. For channel context on older FanDuel listings, see our separate FanDuel Sports North / Wild+ DIRECTV update and the broader NHL on DIRECTV schedule guide.
What Wild+ is — and why October started without Comcast or DIRECTV
Wild+ is the club's new in-house local television and streaming product for the 2026-27 season. It replaced the FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally / Fox Sports North) path many Minnesota households used for years. FanDuel's last Wild telecasts came in the opening round of the prior playoffs; the regular season then launched under the Wild+ banner.
As of early October 2026, Wild+ is carried in-market on Prime Video (direct subscription), Spectrum, Fubo and several smaller distributors across the Wild footprint — roughly Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa and most of Wisconsin. The conspicuous gaps remain Comcast/Xfinity and DIRECTV.
Wild chief revenue officer Mitch Helgerson, speaking ahead of the home opener, said the team had hoped to be further along with those providers. He described Comcast as the distributor the club is most at odds with, while calling the DIRECTV conversation different and comparatively more encouraging — though still unfinished.
The Comcast fight: extra fee on top of the Twins.TV RSN charge
According to the Wild's own FAQ and Helgerson's comments as reported in Twin Cities coverage and Sports Business Journal, Comcast wants to place Wild+ on a higher-priced tier than the package that already carries other regional sports networks — including Twins.TV, for which Xfinity customers already pay a regional sports fee.
The team argues fans should not have to pay an additional surcharge beyond that existing RSN fee just to get Wild hockey. Wild messaging asks Comcast/Xfinity customers to contact the carrier at 1-800-934-6489 (or via Xfinity support channels) and request Wild+ on the same tier as other local sports networks.
Comcast's public support page separately states it does not currently have agreements to carry local game broadcasts produced by the NHL for Minnesota, St. Louis, Carolina and Columbus. Nationally televised games on networks already in an Xfinity package remain available; it is the local Wild+ feeds that are missing.
DIRECTV status: closer than Comcast, still no launch date
The NHL is negotiating Wild+ (and the related team networks for St. Louis, Carolina and Columbus) with both Comcast and DIRECTV. Helgerson has indicated the club feels nearer to a DIRECTV agreement than to a Comcast deal, but as of this writing no DIRECTV launch date has been announced.
The Wild's DIRECTV FAQ asks fans to call DIRECTV at 1-800-531-5000 and request Wild+. Until a deal lands, local Wild+ games are not on DIRECTV satellite or streaming packages. Nationally televised Wild games on ESPN, TNT/truTV, ABC or NHL Network still air on DIRECTV when your package includes those channels — see our NHL on DIRECTV guide for national windows.
Need help comparing DIRECTV packages or checking sports availability for your ZIP? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
How to watch Wild games right now (in-market)
- Wild+ on Prime Video: In-market fans can subscribe at the team's watch portal for about $19.99 per month or $99.99 for the season (prices as listed in Wild/NHL FAQs in late September 2026). A free Amazon account is enough; a paid Prime membership is not required. A 10-day trial has been offered around the season open — confirm current trial terms when you sign up.
- Spectrum: Spectrum TV customers in the Wild local broadcast territory can watch Wild+ under the NHL–Spectrum agreement announced in September 2026.
- Fubo: Fubo carries Wild+ under its NHL team-network deals; availability and any sports add-ons depend on your Fubo plan and market.
- Other smaller providers: Helgerson noted additional regional distributors already carry Wild+ inside the footprint.
- National windows: ESPN, TNT, truTV, ABC and NHL Network still carry selected Wild games to a national audience on providers that include those networks.
Out-of-market fans generally cannot use Wild+ on Prime; NHL Center Ice (via participating providers) or NHL Power Play on ESPN+ remain the usual paths, subject to blackouts. Eligibility for Wild+ is tied to billing ZIP codes in the local territory.
What this means if you already pay Comcast or DIRECTV
Carriage fights rarely flip channels overnight. While talks continue:
- Comcast/Xfinity: Local Wild+ is unavailable. Contact Xfinity if you want the channel on the standard RSN tier. National games on ESPN/TNT/etc. still apply if those nets are in your package.
- DIRECTV: Local Wild+ is unavailable until a deal is announced. Keep watching for DIRECTV notices; national games remain on the usual sports networks.
- Double-pay risk: Some households may keep their cable/satellite bill and add Wild+ on Prime for the season. That is a personal budget call — weigh the monthly Prime Wild+ price against how many local games you actually watch.
- Older FanDuel channel numbers: FanDuel Sports Network North may still appear on some lineups for other programming, but it is no longer the home of Minnesota Wild games. Do not assume channel 668 (or similar legacy listings) equals Wild hockey.
Comparing live-TV options for hockey season? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Four-team NHL context
Minnesota is not alone. The NHL is bargaining with Comcast and DIRECTV on behalf of four clubs whose local rights shifted after the FanDuel RSN era: the Wild, St. Louis Blues (Blue Note+), Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets. Progress can move at different speeds for each distributor and each market, so a Blues or Hurricanes update does not automatically mean Wild+ is live on your box.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wild+ on Comcast/Xfinity yet?
No. As of early October 2026, Comcast does not carry Wild+. The Wild says Comcast wants a higher-priced tier than other RSNs; the team asks fans to call 1-800-934-6489 and request equal tier placement.
Is Wild+ on DIRECTV yet?
No. Talks are ongoing and the Wild has sounded more encouraged about DIRECTV than Comcast, but no carriage launch date has been announced. Call DIRECTV at 1-800-531-5000 to request the channel.
How much is Wild+ on Prime Video?
Wild/NHL FAQs list about $19.99 per month or $99.99 for the season for in-market subscribers, with a free Amazon account (Prime membership not required). A 10-day trial has been available around opening week — verify current terms before you buy.
Can I still watch national Wild games on DIRECTV or Xfinity?
Yes, when the game is on a national network already in your package (for example ESPN, TNT/truTV, ABC or NHL Network). It is the local Wild+ telecast that is missing without a carriage deal.
What happened to FanDuel Sports North for the Wild?
Local Wild rights moved to Wild+ for 2026-27 after FanDuel's RSN chapter ended for the club. Legacy FanDuel channel slots are not a substitute for Wild+ games.
Questions about DIRECTV for sports season? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 6, 2026 (ET). General consumer information based on Wild/NHL FAQs, Twin Cities reporting, Sports Business Journal coverage and Comcast public support notices; carriage deals and prices can change without notice. Minnesota Wild, Wild+, NHL, Comcast, Xfinity, DIRECTV, Spectrum, Fubo, Prime Video, FanDuel and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.