If all Americans come together and unite on one thing, it is Sports. Even after the unofficial demise of traditional cable television, it is lingering on due to live sports because sports is one of those genres that are most enjoyed when watched live. Sports channels broadcast live sports from around the globe. Sports channels also transmit sports news and sports-related content. It is also imperative to note that the first channel to air sports was the Sports Channel Network that was launched in 1977.
If you are one of those crazy sports fanatics who cannot live without sports, you should check out Optimum cable packages offering an amazing channel lineup of more than 200 channels including top-notch sports networks.
In this article, we have focused on the best sports networks which are cherished by a massive population of the U.S.
ESPN
Owner: ESPN Inc.
Launched: September 07, 1979
Headquarters: Bristol, Connecticut
Slogan: The worldwide leader in sports
Language: English
Available on cable, watchespn.com, AT&T TV Now, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV
Famous Programs: 30 for 30, SportsCenter, First Take, Monday Night Football, SportsNation, The Last Dance, Sunday Night Baseball
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network or famously called ESPN is one of the most celebrated American multinational sports channels. Its slogan, ‘The worldwide leader in sports’ is as true as it can. The company was founded by Bill Rasmussen in 1979.
ESPN broadcasts all sorts of live sports programs, it also airs sports talk shows and documentaries.
Fox Sports 1
Owner: Fox Sports Media Group
Launched: August 17, 2013
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Slogan: The 1
Language: English
Available on cable, AT&T TV Now, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV
Famous Programs: Speak for yourself, Fox NFL Kickoff, Fox Sports Live, Fox College Football, UFC Tonight, NASCAR RaceDay, The Ultimate Fighter, America’s Pregame, Fox College Hoops
An American pay-TV channel owned by Fox Corporation, Fox Sports 1 or FS1 is one of the most-watched sports channels. It broadcasts a series of live sporting events which includes Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, Liga MX, and Major League Baseball. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, most of the sports and related activities are broadcasted through this channel.
NFL Network
Owner: National Football League
Launched: November 04, 2003
Headquarters: Culver City, California
Slogan: Together we make football
Language: English
Available on cable, DAZN Canada, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV
Famous Programs: NFL Total Access, Thursday Night Football, Good Morning Football, A Football Life, Inside the Draft, Inside the NFL, NFL Top 100, NFL Classics, NFL’s Greatest Games, NFL Fantasy Live, NFL Replay
NFL Network or sometimes called NFLN, owned by the National Football League, is an American sports pay-TV network. It airs live sporting events as well as sports documentaries, talk shows, analysis shows, and football specials. Almost 62 percent of U.S. households pay for access to the NFL Network.
MLB Network
Owner: Major League Baseball
Launched: January 01, 2009
Headquarters: Secaucus, New Jersey
Slogan: Our national pastime all the time, Get caught looking, Closer to the Game
Language: English
Available on cable, DAZN Canada, DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV
Famous Programs: Intentional Talk, MLB Tonight, Hot Stove, MLB Network Showcase, Quick Pitch, Baseball’s Seasons, Baseball IQ, Thursday Night Baseball, MLB Network Division Series, The Club, Incident at Candlestick
Primarily owned by Major League Baseball, MLB Network is an American sports channel largely dedicated to baseball. Almost 60 percent of the U.S. households pay for MLB Network. The channel is fully equipped with live sporting events, documentaries, and shows discussing baseball and the future of this sport in the United States.
NBA TV
Owner: National Basketball Association
Launched: March 17, 1999
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Slogan: Big games. Big moments.
Language: English
Available on cable, DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV
Famous Programs: NBA Gametime Live, NBA Action, NBA Inside Stuff, Inside the NBA, Shaqtin’ a Fool, The Starters, Hardwood Classics, NBA Saturday Primetime, NBA Wednesday, NBA CrunchTime, 10 before Tip, Open Court
Being dedicated to basketball primarily, NBA TV broadcasts live basketball games, basketball specials, analysis shows with basketball celebrities, documentaries, and whatnot. Almost 53.8 million U.S. pay-TV households have access to NBA TV. This channel is a flagship of the National Basketball Association.
CBS Sports Network
Owner: ViacomCBS
Launched: June 2002
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Slogan: The 24-hour home of CBS Sports
Language: English
Available on cable, DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV, Hulu with Live TV
Famous Programs: College Basketball on CBS, NCAA March Madness, Showtime Championship Boxing, Soccer on SBC Sports, NBA Action, The Season – Ole Miss Football
CBS Sports Network is credited as one of the best and authentic sports channel which is owned by CBS Entertainment Group unit, ViacomCBS. It was launched in 2002 and has been loved by Americans since then. CBS Sports offers in-depth and detailed coverage of all the sporting events including NCAA football and basketball, auto racing, tennis, NFL football, and golf.
NBC Sports Network
Owner: NBC Sports Group
Launched: July 01, 1995
Headquarters: Stamford, Connecticut
Slogan: Believe.
Language: English
Available on cable, DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV, Hulu with Live TV, AT&T TV Now
Famous Programs: The Dan Patrick Show, NASCAR on NBC, NHL on NBC, NBC SportsTalk, MLS on NBC, NHL Live, NBC Olympic broadcasts, College Football on NBCSN, Notre Dame Football on NBC, Wednesday Night Hockey, Sunday Night Hockey, Kraft Hockeyville, NASCAR America
NBCSN or NBC Sports Network, owned by NBC Sports Group, was launched in 1995 with the vision to dedicate its broadcasting space to all sorts of sports. As of the second month of 2020, it is reported that NBC Sports Network is being watched in around 80 million pay television U.S. households.
TNT
Owner: Turner Entertainment Networks
Launched: October 03, 1988
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Slogan: Boom.
Language: English
Available on cable, YouTube TV, Sling TV, AT&T TV Now
Famous Programs: NFL on TNT, Golf on TNT, NASCAR on TNT, Olympics on TNT, WCW Monday Nitro, Wimbledon, UEFA Champions League
Turner Network Television, or TNT, is a basic cable TV channel that has been enjoyed by the American audience since its inception in 1988. It broadcasts live sporting events and focuses on all the sports-related content.