Sports fans will soon see the end of one of their biggest sports television outlets. NBCSN will shut down at the end of 2021. There is currently a plan to move some of the sports programming to sister channel USA Network. There is also a possibility that some of the programming will end up on Peacock, the new NBCUniversal streaming service.
Currently, the sports cable channel is home to NHL games, Premier League soccer matches, and NASCAR races. Frances Berwick, the chairman, of NBCU’s entertainment networks, said the following about the shutdown and plans to move the sports programming to USA Network, per Variety:
“USA has been a top five cable entertainment brand for over twenty years by way of constantly broadening our slate and finding ways to excite our viewers through immersive storytelling and iconic personalities. We remain committed to original entertainment programming, and believe that high-profile live sports will complement USA’s broad premium scripted, unscripted and WWE slate, enabling us to engage our passionate, intersecting audiences more deeply and with greater urgency.”
An exact date for the shut down of NBCSN was not revealed, but it is likely to happen on the last day of 2021. El Rey Network shut down its service at the end of 2020 in a similar manner. The decision to shut down NBCSN is attributed in part to the growing popularity of streaming services.
What do you think? Do you watch NBCSN? Are you sad to hear that the cable channel is going off the air?
So sad! Have really enjoyed their NASCAR coverage!
NBCSN is a great station for race fans of all types. Very sad that money dictates
what we can watch.
I’ll probably sack my Hulu plus live tv and add peacock and save about 60 dollars a month.
Of all the cable channels owned by NBC/Scumcast, they have to pull the plug on the one that actually served a purpose. Why don’t they kill that idiotic “Bravo” channel instead?
Not only should they keep NBC Sports, but they should put more sports ON the channel, rather than interrupting regular NBC network programming during the week for things like Tennis or Golf tournaments.
I will not pay for additional services beyond what I have. Cannot afford it. With changes moving everything to paid streaming services I watch less and less TV all the time. There are many good books through my library to fill my time with instead. Shame on NBC.
I know that Peacock at least is free, but I think they offer a premium subscription also. But I agree, the streaming situation is getting out of hand.
Most streaming services can have 3 devices logged in at the same time. That includes different houses. I watch 5 different services and only pay for 1/2 of one. I split hulu with a friend every 4 months with a gift card. The others, are family or friend log ins. You should ask some of your peeps, if they have any room on their accounts.
USA is a Cable TV channel. You would not be paying for a streaming service.
No, I like this channel, how am I going to channel hockey games. I don’t stream anything.
USA is a Cable network. You would not be paying anything more than your cable bill.
I watch the NBCSN chanel every time they broadcast a hockey game !