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Sports Streaming · Tool Face-Off

ESPN+ vs NHL TV

Quick answer

ESPN+ wins on breadth with massive multi-sport coverage, but NHL.tv (now ESPN+ integrated) is essentially defunct as a standalone — hardcore hockey fans get the best of both worlds through ESPN+ anyway.

Our pick
ESPN+
The everything-sports streaming hub that never sleeps
4.4★
VS
NHL TV
The old-school puck-lover's dedicated hockey hub — now absorbed
2.6★
Monthly Price
$10.99/mo
~$14.99/mo (historical standalone)
Annual Price
$109.99/yr
~$99-144/yr (historical)
Sports Covered
20+ sports (NFL, MLB, UFC, NHL, soccer, tennis, more)
NHL only
NHL Games Available
Nationally televised + out-of-market games
Out-of-market games only (blackout rules applied)
Local Game Blackouts
Yes, blackouts apply
Yes, heavy blackouts applied
Simultaneous Streams
Up to 3 streams
1-2 streams
Offline Downloads
Yes (select content)
No
Original Shows & Docs
Yes — 30 for 30, detail series, ESPN Films
Minimal original content
Standalone Status
Fully active and standalone
Discontinued as standalone (merged into ESPN+)
4K Streaming
Limited 4K events
No 4K
Bundle Options
Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) from ~$14.99/mo
No bundle options
Free Trial
Occasionally offered
No longer available

ESPN+

Pricing★★★★☆
Ease of Use★★★★½
Device Support★★★★½
Content Variety★★★★★
Value for Money★★★★½
Exclusive Content★★★★☆
Live Sports Coverage★★★★½

NHL TV

Pricing★★½☆☆
Ease of Use★★★☆☆
Device Support★★★☆☆
Content Variety★★☆☆☆
Value for Money★★☆☆☆
Exclusive Content★★★☆☆
Live Sports Coverage★★★☆☆

Worth knowing

NHL.tv once charged Canadian fans full price despite blacking out nearly every game — essentially selling an empty box of pucks.

If you want

You want hockey AND other sports without paying multiple subscriptions

ESPN+ covers the NHL plus 20+ other sports for roughly the same price NHL.tv charged for just puck action.

→ Pick ESPN+
If you want

You are a die-hard hockey purist who only cares about the NHL

NHL.tv no longer exists standalone — ESPN+ is now literally your only streaming option for out-of-market NHL games.

→ Pick ESPN+
If you want

You want the best overall value for a sports-loving household

The Disney Bundle with ESPN+ undercuts NHL.tv's old price while adding Hulu and Disney+ on top.

→ Pick ESPN+
If you want

You somehow still have an active NHL.tv subscription

Check your billing — you're probably already paying ESPN+ and didn't notice the migration.

→ Pick ESPN+
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