NHL Network remains one of the top television broadcasts for fans to catch all of the NHL action.
The channel rosters some of the most talented and beloved on-air talents across the league, including Elliotte Friedman, Kevin Weekes, and Jackie Redmond. Aside from an elite team of on-air talent, the NHL broadcast features various games, highlights, shows, and clips from all across the hockey universe.
NHL fans know that the hockey broadcast is among the best available, however, it is not available for those who subscribe to YouTubeTV. While the streaming service offers hundreds of channels from around the world, including sports, NHL Network is not one of the products offered to subscribers.
“@YouTubeTV We dropped directv several months ago & switched to you. Had to forego @NHLNetwork which was big void. But now you drop @MLBNetwork? Figure out the carriage fees! You have sports fans who are now missing 2 cornerstone sports networks. Please get it fixed. – Sports Fans” – Ben Schlosser
NHL Network is not the only sports channel not available on YouTubeTV. Following a contract dispute, the streaming service no longer offers the MLB Network. Although the service offers plenty of alternative channels (such as NBC, Fox Sports, and ESPN), the lack of the aforementioned specialty channels has drawn fans elsewhere.
MLB Network and NHL Network not the only controversies YouTubeTV is facing
Not only did the decision to not feature MLB Network or NHL Network draw criticism from fans, but the service is under fire for increasing its monthly subscription cost (from $69.99 per month to $72.99 per month).
“Cord cutting has gone off the rails. Say you’re a NY sports fan (Giants, Knicks & Yankees) that wants to watch Ted Lasso & F1 Drive to Survive. You’ll need YouTube TV ($876), YES Network ($200), MSG Network ($310), Apple TV ($70), and Netflix ($240). That’s $1,700 a year.” – Joe Pompliano
According to the internet giant, customers will still be able to continue watching select national NHL games through coverage on FOX, ESPN, and NBC.
“The game got moved to NHL Network. So if you’re an out of town fan with ESPN+ and YouTube TV, you ain’t seeing the game.” – Promo The Robot
Last summer, Google said YouTubeTV had more than five million customers, including those on free trials, making it the biggest internet TV service in the U.S.