Hulu + Live TV Dropping Channels: Which Regional Networks Are Getting Cut?

For streamers who finally decide to cut the cord, one of the most popular options is Hulu + Live TV. A live TV streaming service which can be purchased individually or added to any traditional Hulu account, this over-the-top service offers a plethora of different channels, on demand programming, and even a subscription to an ad-supported version of Hulu as the icing on the cake.

However, one of the biggest benefits of Hulu +Live TV has always been live sports, allowing fans to watch their favorite teams, no matter how obscure, on the included local and regional channels. Until last week, that is, when Hulu announced it will be losing the rights to distribute its regional sports networks.

Why is Hulu + Live TV Losing Channels?

The problem came when Hulu failed to hammer out a deal with Disney-controlled Sinclair Broadcast Group, which offers popular channels like Fox Sports Prime Ticket, YES Network, and Marquee Network. An email to customers went out explaining, “Hulu will no longer have the rights to distribute certain Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) that are currently included with your Hulu + Live TV plan. While we were unable to reach an agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group to continue offering channels like your Fox Sports RSN, YES Network, and Marquee Network, the good news is that you will continue to have access to a wide variety of sports from other popular channels including ESPN, TNT, and TBS, as well as FS1 and FS2.”

Why Is This a Big Deal?

Many viewers pay the $54.99/month (which includes a subscription to an ad-supported version of Hulu) or $60.99/month (which includes a subscription to an ad-free version of Hulu) to expressly watch these channels for things like basketball, hockey, baseball and especially college sports. That’s a total of 17 NBA teams, 13 NHL clubs and 14 MLB teams–or 23 different channels for anyone keeping score. These same networks were also dropped from SlingTV and DISH in July 2019, fuboTV in January, and YouTube TV earlier this month on October 1—making it extremely hard for fans to find these channels on any streaming service. And, you know, it doesn’t help that we’re in the middle of a pandemic without access to live sporting events.

Where can you watch regional and local sports now?

Thankfully, the regular seasons of NBA, NHL and MLB are done and over, but If you just can’t wait, there’s always the pricier AT&T Max, which offers over 60 channels plus local and regional sports for $80 a month. Or, you can sit tight and pray to the sports gods that these two sides can come to an agreement before next seasons begin.

Hulu + Live TV Local Channels and Regional Sports Channels Being Cut: Complete List

Fox Sports Arizona
Fox Sports Carolinas
Fox Sports Detroit
Fox Sports Florida
Fox Sports Indiana
Fox Sports Kansas City
Fox Sports Midwest
Fox Sports New Orleans
Fox Sports North
Fox Sports Ohio
Fox Sports Oklahoma
Fox Sports Prime Ticket
Fox Sports San Diego
Fox Sports South
Fox Sports Southeast
Fox Sports Southwest
Fox Sports Sun
Fox Sports Tennessee
Fox Sports West
Fox Sports Wisconsin
SportsTime Ohio
Marquee Sports Network
YES Network