ⓘ Featured image credits: charlotteobserver.com
If you are an NBA games fan, Charlotte Hornets need no introduction. This American professional basketball team in Charlotte, North Carolina is a member of the Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The Hornets are a newer franchise though they date back to 1985. Michael Jordan has since become a majority owner in the team’s quest for its first NBA championship. Following a 23 to 42 season in the short 2019-2020 season, Charlotte intends to take the next step toward that goal this year.
The Hornets ratings have upped and fans are eager to watch them perform. Many who had a subscription to YouTube TV were watching sports online via Fox Regional Sports Networks. If that’s you, there is sad news. YouTube has dropped RSNs, which means it won’t be streaming Charlotte Hornets NBA Games. Of course, if you have premium service plans like the one offered by Super Internet Deals, you may be able to catch them. YouTube TV was in renegotiating with Sinclair group already to continue providing access to RSNs. However, recently, it has announced that the contract extension is expiring and the giant will be dropping Fox RSNs starting October 1.
Fans looking to watch a Hornets game live would do it with the help of streaming platforms. Now that these channels have been removed from YouTube TV, the only streaming service that will be carrying these RSNs is AT&T TV now. It’s a big story and a huge disappointment for fans who only got YouTube TV because of RSNs… there’s one good news though. The giant has quietly added NBC news to its lineup along with others like CNBC word, MSNBC, and CNBC.
Which networks are leaving?
The CFO of Sinclair appeared in a press conference recently but didn’t talk about the carrier dispute much. Sinclair broadcast group did however said that the company is hoping to come up with a deal to bring RSNs back to the OTT service. So fingers crossed.
With Fox RSNs leaving YouTube TV, the customers of the streaming service won’t have access to DVR recordings. The RSNs that will be removed from YouTube TV include Fox Sports Indiana, Fox Sports, Ohio, Fox Sports North, Fox Sports Carolinas, FS Arizona, Fox Sports News Orleans, Fox Sports SD, Fox Sports Sun, FS Southeast, FS Southwest, FS Detroit, FS Florida, Fox Sports Oklahoma, Fox Sports TN, FS Kansas City, Fox Sports Orleans, and Fox Sports Wisconsin.
Fans are Not Having It!
It is obvious fans who are eager to watch Charlotte Hornets NBA games and other favorite sports teams perform are not happy with the decision. Check this Twitter rant:
The contract’s termination has the most immediate impact on United fans, who will be unable to see the team’s final nine games of the season.
YouTube TV isn’t the only streaming service dropping RSNs. Along with YES Network and Marquee Network, Hulu is dropping a dozen Fox Sports Regional Networks (RSNs). Hulu revealed the move in a message to users with a Hulu + Live TV plan stating that it was unable to negotiate an agreement with parent company Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Alternative options to stream Charlotte Hornets NBA games
So let’s say you don’t have cable and you want to watch Charlotte Hornets NBA games. How do you do that?
Currently, Sinclair-owned Fox Sports RSNs can only be streamed via AT&T TV. For this, you must be a subscriber of the “Choice Plan,” which costs $84.99. Unfortunately, Hulu has taken down RSNs too, so you are stuck with one option only.
Summing Up
Because of this deal, YouTube TV will lose local broadcast rights for 42 professional US sports teams, which includes almost half of all NBA, MLB, and NHL games. Sinclair has already started openly directing YouTube TV users to competitors like AT&T Now, with which Sinclair has an RSN deal.
Both Sinclair and YouTube want RSNs back on YouTube TV, as it helps justify the $65 monthly subscription fee. They just have to force each other to reach a consensus.
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