How Much Is The NHL Network? | What You’ll Actually Pay

If you’re trying to watch NHL Network, the channel itself usually isn’t sold as a cheap stand-alone app. That’s the part that trips people up. You’re almost always paying for a live TV package, then getting NHL Network inside that package or through a sports add-on.

That means the real answer depends on how you plan to watch. A hockey fan who only wants NHL Network and a few game channels can land at one price. Someone who also wants regional sports channels, local ABC access, and a fuller cable-style lineup can end up much higher.

Right now, the smart way to price NHL Network is to look at the total package cost, not just the channel name. That gives you a number you can act on before checkout.

How Much Is The NHL Network? Pricing By Provider

For most cord-cutters, NHL Network is tied to a live TV service. On the lower end, Sling is often the cheaper route when you pair a base plan with Sports Extra. On the higher end, DIRECTV packages can cost a lot more, though they may fit fans who want a bigger sports lineup or regional channels.

So, what should you expect to pay each month?

• Sling Orange + Sports Extra: about $56.99 per month based on Sling’s current listings.
• Sling Select + Sports Extra: about $30.99 per month on the current channel page that carries NHL Network.
• DIRECTV Sports Pack add-on: under $15 per month on top of a qualifying TV package.
• DIRECTV higher-tier plans with NHL Network access: around $90 to $115+ per month before all extra fees are counted.

The channel’s own NHL Network page makes one thing clear: availability depends on your TV provider. So the channel is less like a one-price streaming app and more like a feature inside a broader TV bundle.

NHL Network Cost By Live TV Service

This is where the math gets real. A cheap headline price can still turn into a higher bill once sports add-ons, regional sports fees, device fees, or taxes enter the picture.

Sling TV

Sling is usually the first stop for budget-minded fans. Its setup is flexible, and it lets you bolt sports channels onto a smaller base plan instead of forcing a giant package.

Per Sling’s own help page, Sports Extra costs $11 per month on top of your base service. Sling’s current sports listings also show NHL viewers using combinations like Orange + Sports Extra at about $56.99 per month.

That can make Sling one of the lower-cost routes if your goal is simple: get NHL Network, ESPN, and TNT without paying for a massive channel bundle.

DIRECTV

DIRECTV goes the other way. It leans into fuller TV packages and sports add-ons. The upside is range. You can get national channels, regional sports options in many areas, and a more cable-like setup. The downside is price.

DIRECTV’s current NHL pages say NHL Network is included in some paths, including certain plans and the Sports Pack add-on. Its package page also lists current package prices that stretch from about $89.98 for CHOICE to $114.98 for ULTIMATE before some extra fees are added. The channel also appears in sports-focused options laid out on DIRECTV’s NHL coverage page.

If you want one clean takeaway, it’s this: Sling is often the lower bill, while DIRECTV is the fuller bundle.

What You’re Paying For Beyond One Channel

A lot of searchers type this question as if NHL Network works like Netflix or ESPN+. It doesn’t. When you buy access, you’re also buying the rest of the package wrapped around it.

That package can include:

• National game channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, and TBS
• Studio shows and nightly hockey coverage
• Cloud DVR
• Local channels in some plans or markets
• Regional sports channels on higher-priced services

So if one service costs $57 and another costs $100, the gap is not just “for NHL Network.” It’s often the cost of a much bigger TV lineup.

Monthly Price Snapshot

Here’s the cleaner side-by-side view most readers want before they start clicking around provider pages.

Why Prices Feel Confusing

There are three reasons this question gets messy in search results.

The channel is bundled

You’re not shopping for one neat app with one neat price. You’re shopping for access through a larger service.

Provider pages push different routes

One page may pitch a sports add-on. Another may push a higher base package. Another may show a promo that drops the first bill but not the long-term bill.

Fees can nudge the real total upward

DIRECTV, in particular, lists package prices with notes about regional sports fees and device lease costs on some setups. That doesn’t make the listing wrong. It just means the first number you see may not be your final number.

Which Option Fits Your Watching Style

The right pick depends less on the channel name and more on the kind of fan you are week to week.

If You Want The Cheapest Path

Sling is usually the one to check first. A base plan plus Sports Extra often lands far below the fuller cable-style bundles. If your main goal is NHL Network plus a small group of national game channels, this route makes the most sense on price alone.

If You Want A Bigger Sports Package

DIRECTV can make more sense if you want a lot of sports in one place and don’t mind paying more. That may work for homes that watch hockey, football, basketball, and local team coverage through the same service.

If You Only Want Live Games, Not Studio Coverage

You may not need NHL Network at all. Some fans are better off paying for the channels that carry national game windows and skipping the extra hockey talk shows. That can trim the bill if you’re only tuning in when the puck drops.

What To Check Before You Subscribe

Before you hit the buy button, run through these points. They can save you from paying for the wrong package.

1. Check whether NHL Network is in the base plan or an add-on. That one detail can shift the monthly bill fast.
2. Look for sports fees. Some providers list them separately.
3. Check local channel access. ABC, FOX, NBC, and CBS coverage can change by market.
4. Check regional sports channel access. If you follow a local team, this may matter as much as NHL Network.
5. Check promo timing. A first-month deal is nice, though the long-run price is what counts.

So, How Much Should You Expect To Pay?

If you want a clean number, most people will land in one of two zones.

Budget route: around $57 per month through Sling once the needed add-on is included.

Fuller cable-style route: around $90 to $115 or more through DIRECTV plans, with extra fees able to push the real bill higher.

That’s why the most honest answer is not one flat sticker price. NHL Network is usually a bundled channel, so your real cost depends on the TV service wrapped around it.

If you just want the leanest way in, start with Sling and price the exact package that carries the channel today. If you want a fatter sports lineup and more traditional TV structure, DIRECTV is the pricier path that may fit better.

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