TV Answer Man, I have Hulu’s live streaming service and they don’t carry the Bally Sports channels which is a bummer with the baseball season now going on. I don’t want to go back to cable, but it looks like my only choice. I don’t want to mess with a VPN, but is there any other way to watch my Braves on Bally Sports on streaming? — Carl, Atlanta.
Carl, I have received countless e-mails over the last few weeks from readers lamenting that there isn’t a streaming service that carries the 21 Bally Sports regional channels, formerly known as Fox Sports regional channels. I’ve also seen a number of comments from angry fans on social media who say only cable and satellite operators carry the channels.
But it’s not true. While Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live and FuboTV are not carrying the Bally Sports channels due to separate fights over fees, there is one major streaming service that is. And that’s AT&T TV,
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AT&T TV, which can be streamed on an app or via a company-supplied set-top (the set-top is $5 a month), offers dozens of channels in several plans. The packages that include Bally Sports (and a host of other elusive regional sports channels such as MASN, SportsNet LA and Marquee Sports) start at $84.99 a month.
That’s $20 more a month than the basic plan for YouTube TV, Hulu Live and FuboTV, and $50 a month more than Sling TV’s base package. But there are no regional sports fees or contract requirements. So if Bally Sports (or another regional sports channel) is a priority for you, it’s worth checking out. For many viewers, it’s better than returning to cable and satellite where the monthly cost could be significantly higher once you start adding in broadcast and regional sports fees, among other punitive surcharges.
Last point: I know I’ve written about AT&T TV’s carriage of regional sports channels in the past. But there is so much misinformation being spread about streaming and regional sports, I felt it was necessary to reiterate the point. You can get regional sports channels without cable or satellite. It may not be your preferred option, but at least there is an option.
Carl, hope that helps. Happy viewing, and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvpredictions.com. Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
That’s all fine and dandy but after spending countless hours researching options, canceling one service for another every few months when they stop carrying channels You want…is it all worth it? I cut the cable to avoid high costs (but I now have to subscribe to 1/2 a dozen streaming services) and pay premium cost for local sports…where does it end to simply claim that I am a cord cutter??? It has lost all meaning and purpose frankly.
I love sports but now greed has taken over. Frankly because of this deal to monopolize on sports to make you pay that amount of money? I will quit watching. Just a bunch of spoiled people and it was suppose to be America’s pass time to be enjoyed by all. I’ve been a fan since the 60’s when I was a little kid and followed thru the good times and the bad times. All I can say is, goodbye, it’s not worth it.
Once a true fan is gone, guaranteed it’s hated to bring them back.
I know you’ll get your subscribers but you will lose so many true fans.
Greed of money will kill the sport
Does Bally sports southwest have an app or other connection to watch Texas Ranger games on a computer or device, other than television?
What you didn’t say is that AT&T does not carry a PBS channel, which makes it a non-starter for my wife. They carried it on UVERSE and Direct TV, but not the AT&T TV. I watched the Atlanta Braves games for years on cable TV. Spectrum streaming also carries the Bally Regional Channels, but it won’t work with Spectrum TV’s. The situation is almost unbelievable.
I would purchase AT&T TV tomorrow, but, incredibly, AT&T TV DOES NOT CARRY a PBS Channel. Why? Who knows. You call and the operators claim ignorance. I thought it would be on a local channel, but it isn’t. Please tell me I am wrong.
Thank you so much for cutting through all the crap out there. This streaming situation is one hot mess. Still not happy about the Braves situation and Bally, though.
Frustrating; as everyone with desire to watch Bally sports Florida (Heat)
Does anyone know of outdoor antenna location of local broadcasting from Bally
I live in Port Charlotte Fl
Maybe I could aim an antenna if I know their location
Thank u
Not available via antenna.
You guys just keep going back and forth about streaming. It sucks if you want sports just suck it up and get Directv it’s the best for sports period.
Seriously Jim, Directtv Stream does NOT carry Bally Sports Sun in any of it’s packages no matter what the TV Answer Man says. I found out the hard way just now.
NBA and Bally Sports forcing people to illegal streaming. Real smart.
AT&T is the worst quality and the biggest rip-off streaming service there is. So, so much for ending the baseball lockout.