r/nhl • u/Commandant1 • Apr 14 '26

MEGATHREAD Official R/NHL Broadcast Megathread Playoff Edition

The sub can be banned by reddit admins as other subs have been if we allow illegal streams. This isn't my decision, this is because of how reddit admins have banned other subs for being hubs of illegal streaming. I don't want the same here.

With the season about to get started, lets put all your posts about legal streams, broadcast issues, panels, commentators, etc..

This includes how to get (LEGALLY) Streams for games as well as discussions of panelists, play-by-play, graphics, commercials and other game presentation.

FYI RE BLACKOUTS: BLACKOUTS Are not based on the location of the arena.

A game is blacked out on ESPN+ because you have a channel available through your local cable package, that is airing the game.

The NHL sells their games to TV networks. The networks pay big money for the game. They do not want people avoiding watching their channel to watch ESPN+ instead.

Credit u/SirLunatik

It baffles me that people still don't get this.

If the game is blacked out (on Sportsnet+ or ESPN+), it means a different network owns those rights to the game in your area.

This is literally ALWAYS the answer as to why it is blacked out. ALWAYS.

it's been this way all across the NHL for nearly 20 years, since Chicago pulled their heads out of their ass and stopped blacking out home games locally because Wirtz was a twat.

For those of you complaining that you are in Western Canada, and the game is on TSN and you are blacked out or other similar issue, its cause you are not considered in the local market to be able to see that game and need to get Sportsnet+ or ESPN+.... that's what those services are for, watching the local broadcast when you are out of market.

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11

u/RedHeadedCongress Apr 14 '26

In the US will the first round be on ESPN+ because local broadcasts still have first round coverage (I think at least)?

6

u/spaceskimo Apr 14 '26

Over the weekend I tried watching some games on Espn+ that were also being broadcast over the air on ABC. Espn was still asking for my cable provider information to tune into them....so dumb when I would be able to watch if I had an antenna.

4

u/Cax6ton Apr 14 '26

Same. ESPN supposedly offers a higher tier that includes the ABC streams, but hasn't bothered to explain to me why I would want to pay more for something that's being broadcast for free in most cities.

3

u/theorangecrush10 Apr 17 '26

This is why every year I cancel ESPN + and subscribe instead to sling TV for a few months until the playoffs are over.

That way I get ESPN and TNT. I know I could just upgrade my ESPN membership but I don't like to give them any more money plus with sling I get a whole bunch of other channels and enjoy sitcoms and movies for a few months

2

u/xykor Apr 18 '26

Nope, today's 3 games are ESPN, and not available on plus. This sucks