Monumental Sports Network, the regional broadcaster home to the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals, has gone dark on two major streaming platforms. The decision has abruptly interrupted coverage for subscribers who rely on these services to follow NBA and NHL action in the D.C. area. For fans in local markets, where regional rights dictate viewing access, the blackout has immediate implications—vanishing live games, disrupted routines, and questions about the real value of current subscription packages.
This article breaks down what led to the blackout, how it affects subscribers in terms of pricing and access, and what alternative viewing options remain—if any. Whether you're a longtime fan or a recent cord-cutter chasing a more streamlined sports experience, the sudden drop of Monumental Sports from your platform matters. Here's what you need to know.
Monumental Sports Network operates as the primary regional sports network for the Washington, D.C. market. It serves as the exclusive local broadcaster for three major professional sports teams: the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. This tightly focused coverage gives Monumental a unique concentration of loyal, regional viewership across multiple seasons and leagues.
Beyond live games, the network produces pre-game and post-game coverage, coach and player interviews, and original sports documentaries—blending traditional broadcast formats with a growing digital-first approach. Its digital platform offers real-time streaming, on-demand replays, and interactive features designed to serve cross-platform audiences who follow their teams both live and online.
Monumental Sports Network began as a traditional Regional Sports Network (RSN), originally partnering with NBC Sports Washington before fully acquiring it in 2022. The rebrand came with expanded capabilities: in-house production, direct-to-consumer streaming options, and a tighter integration with team-operated media. By September 2023, Monumental Sports & Entertainment shifted the network’s strategy to prioritize digital distribution, removing dependence on legacy cable providers and pursuing partnerships with streaming services.
This pivot positioned Monumental as one of the first RSNs to set a roadmap for regional sports in a post-cable era. With full control over its content and delivery infrastructure, the network aimed to bypass traditional middlemen and connect directly with fans—an aggressive move that caused friction with some major streamers.
Ted Leonsis, a digital media entrepreneur and former AOL executive, owns the network through Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), which also owns the Wizards, Capitals, and Mystics. Leonsis has stated publicly that media rights are the next frontier in the sports business and that owning both the teams and the broadcast platform offers strategic advantage. Under his leadership, MSE has positioned itself as a vertically integrated sports and media company.
Leonsis has championed a data-driven, technology-forward approach, emphasizing fan engagement, social media integration, and next-gen content formats. This philosophy shapes network decisions—from how games are produced to where and how they’re distributed. With central control over production, rights, and digital infrastructure, Monumental operates not just as a broadcaster but as a media lab for the future of regional sports.
On October 1, 2023, Monumental Sports Network went dark on two major streaming platforms — FuboTV and YouTube TV. Viewers attempting to access Washington Wizards or Washington Capitals games through these services were met with blackout messages or missing channel listings altogether. The disruption came without advance warning, and customers took to social media to question the sudden disappearance of the channel.
FuboTV and YouTube TV both lost access to Monumental Sports Network. These services previously carried the network across their respective regional packages, offering live coverage of Washington D.C.’s NHL and NBA franchises. The blackout directly impacts fans in the Mid-Atlantic area who rely on streaming rather than traditional cable or satellite services.
The network was removed from both platforms early in the morning on October 1, timed precisely ahead of the start of the NHL preseason and as NBA training camps opened. This timing limited access during the lead-up to both leagues’ regular seasons, creating frustration among early-season viewers and season pass holders.
Monumental Sports issued a brief statement confirming the blackout and attributing it to the expiration of existing carriage agreements. Their spokesperson stated: “We have been unable to reach a fair renewal agreement with these platforms. We remain committed to restoring access and ensuring fans see their teams live.”
YouTube TV responded through its customer service channels stating: “We no longer carry Monumental Sports Network due to unsuccessful negotiations with the content provider. We hope to bring it back soon.” FuboTV echoed a similar sentiment but did not provide a public comment beyond standard customer service replies.
As of mid-December 2023, there has been no confirmed progress in the talks. Neither side has issued updates regarding a potential resolution, and Monumental Sports Network remains unavailable on both platforms. Sports Business Journal reported in November that discussions had stalled over pricing tiers and digital rights, though neither party has publicly confirmed those details.
Viewers using DirecTV Stream and FuboTV have reported being blacked out from accessing Monumental Sports Network, even when located within authorized regional markets. In contrast, users of platforms like YouTube TV, Verizon Fios, and Cox Cable continue to receive the channel without interruption. This disparity in availability stems directly from the type and scope of carriage agreements held by each streamer with Monumental Sports Network’s parent organization.
Live sports streaming rights hinge on company-specific licensing deals. Verizon Fios and Cox hold long-standing contracts with Monumental that include comprehensive regional sports coverage for relevant zip codes. YouTube TV, by contrast, negotiated a digital-friendly streaming agreement that includes OTT rights (over-the-top media services), allowing them to broadcast content across app-based platforms without device-specific restrictions.
Meanwhile, DirecTV Stream and FuboTV lack those particular rights for Monumental Sports Network in specific territories. Despite offering RSN content in other markets, their current contracts do not authorize them to distribute Monumental's programming in certain zip codes—even if those locations technically fall within the network’s broader region.
Blackout restrictions are not arbitrary. They are embedded into the legal fine print of streaming agreements. These clauses define where, how, and on what devices a network can be shown. Monumental Sports Network, like other regional sports networks (RSNs), incorporates zip code-based restrictions that automatically enforce blockouts based on user location at the time of streaming. In practice, users located in Washington D.C. or parts of Virginia may be eligible through one provider while being blocked on another—despite being in the same coverage map.
Additionally, these blackout mechanisms can be geo-triggered by the IP address or GPS location if accessing the stream via mobile devices or smart TVs. This makes the experience inconsistent if switching between in-home Wi-Fi and external 5G networks.
This tiered access system creates friction for sports fans who rely on streaming services to follow the Washington Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics. Until carriers align their service regions with Monumental’s broadcasting footprint, blackout disparities will persist across platforms.
At the core of the blackout issue lies a licensing standoff between Monumental Sports Network and two unnamed streaming services. The network, which holds exclusive regional rights to broadcast NHL's Washington Capitals and the NBA's Washington Wizards, has structured its contracts to limit viewing to specific geographic zones. When streaming platforms enable out-of-market or unauthorized access—either intentionally or through technological limitations—it violates those agreements.
Monumental Sports Network’s distribution rights are governed by complex licensing contracts that lock viewing availability within the Washington, D.C., metro area and some parts of Maryland and Virginia. These contracts are not just commercial tools; they define legal boundaries. Streaming services that fail to enforce these geographic restrictions trigger infringement claims, setting the stage for legal pushback from rights holders.
Disagreements typically hinge on licensing fees, market reach allowances, and control over advertisement revenue. Streamers aim to expand regional offerings to draw in more subscribers, while Monumental aims to preserve exclusivity for higher per-subscriber value. When talks stall, providers may opt to remove the channel altogether, as seen in these recent blackouts.
The negotiating table often reflects a sharp contrast in priorities. Streamers prioritize scale and content breadth. Monumental prioritizes regional exclusivity and content monetization. With neither side willing to concede, blackout scenarios like this become inevitable outcomes of unresolved contract language or expiring deals.
Though primarily commercial, disputes like this often draw the attention of federal regulators. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has oversight over broadcasting licenses and local market protections, while the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) monitors anti-competitive behavior. Neither agency intervenes in every licensing disagreement, but when blackout disputes impact large regional audiences—or suggest unfair market practices—regulatory scrutiny increases.
In past disputes involving RSNs, the FCC has reviewed carriage agreements under the lens of the Program Access Rules, which are designed to prevent content owners from withholding programming in a way that harms competition. If Monumental or any affiliated cable operator is found to restrict access unfairly, legal intervention becomes a real possibility.
Legal precedent currently supports regional broadcast exclusivity. The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as interpreted alongside FCC regional market guidelines, allows networks like Monumental to license and enforce regionally bound content. Streaming services that attempt nationwide content access must either secure full national rights or implement precise geolocation to honor regional limitations.
Any failure to comply—either due to lax enforcement or system flaws—introduces legal liability. Monumental’s blackout enforcement on streaming platforms isn't discretionary; it’s backed by enforceable contracts drafted within this legal framework.
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) exist to serve live local broadcasts of professional sports teams. Major leagues in North America—like the NHL and NBA—grant teams the ability to sign contracts with RSNs for local game distribution. These deals ensure that fans in the team's designated home market can watch live games via local partners. However, they also come with blackout mechanisms that restrict access to those broadcasts outside of specific geographic boundaries.
Blackout rules prevent a game from being shown on an RSN outside its home territory, even when a streaming platform has national rights. These aren’t arbitrary restrictions—they’re baked into the contracts to preserve exclusivity for local broadcasters, justify advertising rates, and protect ticket sales.
Broadcast rights split into two distinct categories: national and local. National broadcasting partners like ESPN or ABC purchase rights to air a limited number of marquee games across the entire country. Local RSNs, however, lock down the regular-season slate for their markets. Those rights do not overlap. So if Monumental Sports Network owns the rights to stream Washington Wizards or Capitals games in the D.C. area, those streams aren’t necessarily accessible nationwide.
This split means a game shown on Monumental could be blacked out on two different streaming platforms—even if those platforms carry Monumental content—if the viewer is outside the network’s broadcast territory. In those cases, the streamers must comply with distribution agreements and geofencing protocols.
Why such sharp geographic lines? Local TV rights are deeply tied to team revenue models that still rely on gate attendance and regional advertising. Teams benefit more from encouraging local fans to attend games in person and watch via in-market RSNs. To enforce that model, leagues establish “home markets,” typically defined by metropolitan statistical areas, ZIP codes, or designated market areas (DMAs).
Viewers often discover blackout rules only after trying to stream a game they assumed would be available. This confusion amplifies when Monumental Sports Network appears listed in the catalog of multiple streaming platforms, but access is denied based on regional policies.
How do these rules affect you? Think about where you live, which local RSN holds your team’s rights, and whether your streaming platform has the right combination of agreements and geolocation clearance. For now, access depends not just on having the right service—but being in the right place to use it.
Monumental Sports Network holds the local broadcast rights for the Washington Capitals (NHL) and Washington Wizards (NBA), serving as the exclusive regional network for these franchises. Previously operating under the NBC Sports Washington label, Monumental assumed full control of the channel and its associated media rights starting in September 2022, following a full buyout from Comcast.
By controlling local broadcasts, Monumental handles the production, distribution, and monetization of most regular-season and some postseason games for both teams within the designated regional market. These games air live on the linear channel and stream via Monumental’s digital platforms for authorized in-market viewers. This positions Monumental as both a content producer and gatekeeper for fans in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.
The distinction between regional and national broadcast rights underpins the blackout issues affecting multiple streamers. Monumental holds RSN rights, granting it the authority to air NBA and NHL games in its home market. However, national broadcasters such as ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NHL Network operate under separate agreements negotiated directly with the leagues.
For the NBA, national broadcast partners include:
For the NHL, national coverage is governed by:
These national partners possess exclusive windows during which regional sports networks are not permitted to air games. When ESPN schedules a Wizards or Capitals game for national television, Monumental cannot simultaneously broadcast it in the local market. Conversely, Monumental’s in-market streams and TV broadcasts are often not available to viewers outside the D.C. region due to geographic restrictions tied to RSN contracts.
National and regional broadcast deals operate under separate legal frameworks but intersect in complex ways. RSNs like Monumental negotiate directly with teams for local rights, while the NBA and NHL sell national rights as league-wide packages. Conflicts arise when national platforms expand into streaming—where subscriber authentication, territorial blackout enforcement, and digital access rights become contentious.
Streaming services targeting national audiences (e.g., YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV) must choose whether to include RSNs like Monumental Sports Network, which often command high carriage fees. If carriage negotiations fail or terms are not met, platforms may drop RSNs or block access to specific channels, as seen with recent blackouts of Monumental on two streamers. Yet teams still fulfill league broadcast obligations on national networks, leaving fans with fragmented game access depending on platform and geographic location.
Blackouts hit hardest where loyalty runs deepest—within the team’s home market. Local fans, who represent the core audience and often pay for access to their regional sports network (RSN), are paradoxically the ones most likely to encounter streaming restrictions. The cause stems from longstanding broadcast rights agreements that prioritize territorial exclusivity over viewer accessibility. Monumental Sports Network, caught in this legacy system, restricts local streaming when carriage agreements with major providers like FuboTV and YouTube TV fall through.
While national rights tend to favor broad distribution via nationally syndicated networks or league subscription services, local broadcast rights remain tied to regional agreements that often exclude or limit digital access. This scenario locks out the very fans who are physically closest to the team’s arena yet unable to legally stream games in-market due to licensing impasses.
This pattern mirrors issues seen across the United States. Bally Sports, owned by Diamond Sports Group, regularly faces similar criticism. In San Diego, Padres fans experienced a total blackout after Bally lost TV rights in 2023. The Los Angeles Dodgers, through SportsNet LA, dealt with a years-long blackout that affected nearly 70% of Southern California households. MSG Network's dispute with Comcast blacked out New York Knicks, Rangers, and Islanders games for months during the 2021–22 seasons.
These cases illustrate a systemic industry problem: RSNs depend on location-based exclusivity that crumbles under the pressure of digital distribution and shifting viewer expectations.
National fans escape many of these hurdles. Through platforms like ESPN, TNT, or national packages such as NBA League Pass and ESPN+, out-of-market subscribers maintain steady access to live games, highlights, and replays. These offerings are structured with broader reach in mind, sidestepping the territorial conflicts that cripple regional broadcasts.
Ironically, this means fans in Seattle might have more reliable access to Washington Capitals or Wizards games than fans living ten miles from Capital One Arena. It's a backwards model, but one that persists due to entrenched media contracts and unresolved streaming entitlements.
Subscribers who signed up for full access to local NHL and NBA games through streaming platforms now face a critical void. Monumental Sports Network, previously available on two major streamers, disappeared following unresolved distribution disagreements. As a result, premium sports viewers paying upwards of $70 per month suddenly find themselves locked out of games they expected to watch live.
Fan forums explode with complaints. Twitter, Reddit, and dedicated team subreddits—especially for the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards—fill rapidly with screenshots of blackout messages, angry gifs, and expressions of betrayal. Season ticket holders aren’t spared either; many use streaming services to rewatch highlights or catch up on missed games. Without that option, the value of their entire live sports ecosystem erodes.
Before the blackout, regional sports networks contributed significantly to justifying the high price tag of live TV alternatives. FuboTV and YouTube TV both marketed Monumental as part of their packages, so the sudden blackout translates to a broken promise in the eyes of subscribers. There isn’t another regional sports network in the DMV area that carries the same volume of localized NBA and NHL content.
Without consistent access, subscribers lose more than just games—they lose team connection, game-night rituals, and casual conversations sparked by last night’s play. Local identities tied to sports weaken when fans can’t follow their teams regularly. Community bars accustomed to hosting game nights report falling foot traffic. Youth teams and local meetups that build momentum during pro seasons lose a binding point of reference.
Analytics platforms already show drops in viewership. According to Nielsen's Local People Meter data from early 2024, regional viewership for Wizards games fell by 17% in the DC area during the blackout period, compared to the same period in 2023. Capitals’ regular-season games showed a 12% decrease over a similar stretch.
That kind of dip impacts more than TV ratings. It also undercuts partnerships, merchandise sales, and grassroots engagement. Elementary school programs aligned with the teams report lower sign-ups for joint events, and fewer themed nights at local arenas capture public interest without consistent broadcast hype. When fans go dark, so does revenue—both emotional and financial.
Have you checked your app midgame only to be met with a blackout notification? If so, you’re not alone. Thousands across the region are asking: what exactly are we paying for, and who makes the call to cut us out?
Since 2014, the U.S. has seen a steady decline in traditional pay TV subscriptions. According to Leichtman Research Group, major U.S. pay-TV providers lost over 5.9 million subscribers in 2023 alone. That marks the continuation of a years-long trend: in 2015, penetration stood near 88%, while in 2023 it dropped below 60%.
Consumers are shifting to streaming services not just for cost savings, but for flexibility, accessibility, and user experience. Platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and direct-to-consumer services such as ESPN+ have tailored their offerings to meet those expectations. However, when regional sports networks (RSNs) like Monumental Sports Network become blacked out on these platforms, it disrupts this transition entirely.
One of the promises of cord-cutting was customization—pay only for what you want without hidden restrictions. That premise falls apart when a subscriber pays for a live TV service and still can't access games involving local teams like the Washington Capitals or Washington Wizards due to blackout enforcement. The issue becomes even more glaring when the same network blocks access across multiple streamers simultaneously.
This blackout of Monumental Sports Network on two streaming platforms counters consumer expectations. Viewers who've abandoned expensive cable bundles now find themselves forced to reconsider—either miss out, stack subscriptions, or return to legacy providers.
Differences between traditional packages and standalone streaming create a confusing landscape. Consider this: YouTube TV charges around $72.99/month for access to a wide array of channels. Add further charges for other RSNs or league-specific services, and costs approach or even surpass cable prices—defeating the financial logic behind cord-cutting.
Meanwhile, Monumental Sports Network promotes a direct-to-consumer subscription model at $19.99/month or $199.99/annually. But when availability fluctuates—based on location, platform, or blackout rules—consumers question the value. Why pay when coverage isn’t guaranteed?
The current conflict signals a broader industry disconnect. While digital platforms grow in popularity, legacy rights agreements, territorial restrictions, and opaque licensing deals remain stuck in outdated frameworks. Blackouts like the one involving Monumental Sports Network on multiple streamers highlight this friction point.
Ask yourself: If your primary teams aren’t reliably available on your chosen service, would you continue paying? Would you pay more and stack services? Or go back to cable? The answers shape the next phase of how sports content gets delivered—and who wins the battle for eyeballs.
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