How To Watch Your Favorite Sports Teams Online

College football season has arrived, and you never have to worry about missing your favorite team again. Even if you’re not near a television, or forgot to set your DVR, you can log on to various websites for a live play by play analysis of the game.

But not every online option is all it’s cracked up to be. Some require a flat fee payment, others are not available in all areas, and one only streams live coverage during March.

Luckily, NBA basketball is not subject to the same restrictions. Come November, you can access any team’s games for free online, with no restrictions. For the first time in professional sports history, a league is allowing viewers to watch their games online, in local markets.

MainStreet examines the good and bad of online streaming.

ESPN 360: (DIS)
Pro: ESPN has always prided itself in offering its viewers live sports all the time. Website coverage on ESPN 360 is completely free.

CON: ESPN 360 must be compatible with your cable provider. Additionally, coverage can be limited depending on your geographic location. For example, if a game is broadcast on the ESPN television network and is not available in your market, then it most likely won’t be available to you on ESPN 360 either. Not a great solve for fans wanting to catch games that aren’t broadcast in their region.

MLB.TV:
PRO: Major League Baseball developed a way for you to watch out of market teams online. Love the Boston Red Sox, but live in Los Angeles? No problem. You can sign on to access Boston’s local broadcast.

CON: This option costs you $20 to register for the year, regardless of when you sign up. Also, if this game is carried on your local cable provider, you’re restricted from watching it on MLB.TV.

CBS SPORTSLINE (CBS)
PRO: During the NCAA tournament in March, CBS has an exclusive agreement to broadcast all of the games for free, on any of their networks and websites.

CON:
If the game is broadcast on television in your area, then it will be blacked out on the Internet. That means even if you are no where near a TV, you can’t access the game online.