Finding out how to watch Hawks games shouldn't feel like a part-time job, but honestly, it kind of does these days. If you're living in the A, you're probably dealing with the ongoing saga of regional sports networks, while out-of-market fans are stuck navigating the labyrinth of NBA League Pass blackouts. It’s a mess. Between the Bally Sports bankruptcy drama and the shift toward streaming, the days of just "flipping on the TV" are basically over.
You want to see Trae Young launch a logo three. You want to see the development of Zaccharie Risacher. You don’t want a "Page Not Found" error.
The Bally Sports South situation (and why it's a headache)
For most folks in Georgia, Alabama, and parts of Mississippi, the primary way to watch Hawks games is through Bally Sports Southeast. Or is it FanDuel Sports Network now? The naming rights keep shifting as Diamond Sports Group tries to claw its way out of restructuring. This is the "Local" option. If you have a traditional cable package like Xfinity or Spectrum, you're usually good to go, provided you haven't cut the cord yet.
But here is the kicker: most of the "skinny" bundles like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV dropped Bally years ago. They couldn't agree on the price. So, if you're a cord-cutter, you're basically forced into a corner. You either get FuboTV, which is pricey but carries the RSN (Regional Sports Network), or you subscribe to the standalone Bally Sports+ (or whatever the app is called this month) streaming service.
It’s annoying. I know.
The standalone app usually runs about $20 a month. Is it worth it? If you're a die-hard who watches all 82 games, yeah, probably. But the app has a reputation for being... let's say "finicky." It crashes. The interface feels like it was designed in 2014. Yet, for local fans, it’s often the only legal path that doesn't involve a $100 cable bill.
NBA League Pass and the dreaded blackout
If you live in Seattle or New York or anywhere far from State Farm Arena, how to watch Hawks games becomes a bit simpler, yet somehow more restrictive. You buy NBA League Pass. It's the gold standard for out-of-market viewing. You get every game, the choice of home or away broadcasts, and even those weird "court-side" angles if you're into that.
But wait. There's a catch.
If the Hawks are playing a team in your local market, you're blacked out. If the Hawks are on TNT, ESPN, or ABC, you're blacked out. The "national" games are the exclusive property of the big networks. This is why you'll see fans complaining on Twitter (X) every Wednesday night because they paid for a subscription but can't actually see the game they want.
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National TV: The "Big Stage" nights
The Hawks usually get a handful of national spots. Not as many as the Lakers, obviously, but enough to matter. When they play on TNT or ESPN, you don't need a special sports package—just a basic cable-style streaming service like Sling TV (the Orange package carries both).
- TNT: Usually Tuesday or Thursday nights.
- ESPN: Wednesday and Friday nights.
- ABC: Mostly weekend afternoons later in the season.
If you’re trying to save money, Sling Orange is arguably the cheapest way to get the national games without committing to a massive contract. Just keep in mind that Sling doesn't carry the local Bally/FanDuel channels. You'd be getting maybe 10-15% of the total season.
Is a VPN actually a viable solution?
Look, people talk about VPNs all the time for bypassing blackouts. You've probably seen the ads. The idea is simple: make your computer think you're in Germany or even just Chicago so NBA League Pass doesn't block the Atlanta broadcast.
Does it work? Sometimes.
The NBA has gotten much better at detecting VPN IP addresses. You might find yourself constantly switching servers just to get a stream to load. It's a cat-and-mouse game. Plus, it technically violates the Terms of Service. I'm not saying don't do it, but I am saying don't be surprised if your account gets flagged or the stream buffers every five seconds because you're routing your traffic through a server in rural Sweden.
Watching for free (The legal-ish ways)
There aren't many ways to watch for free without sailing the high seas of "pirate" streams, which are laggy and full of pop-ups that will give your laptop a digital virus. However, keep an eye on local broadcast deals. Occasionally, teams are moving back to "Over-the-Air" (OTA) television.
The Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz already did this. They left the expensive cable networks and put their games on local independent stations that you can catch with a $20 digital antenna from Amazon. The Hawks haven't fully committed to this yet, but the industry is moving that way because the RSN model is collapsing. If you have an antenna, scan your channels once a month. You never know when a stray game might show up on a sub-channel like WPCH.
The "In-Arena" experience vs. the couch
Honestly, if you're in Atlanta, the best way to watch is just going to the game. State Farm Arena is genuinely one of the better venues in the league. The food is actually decent (shout out to the local vendors), and the vibe is usually high-energy.
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But we’re talking about TV.
If you're watching at home, the experience is dictated by the talent. Bob Rathbun and Dominique Wilkins are local legends. "Nique" gives you that Hall of Fame perspective that you just don't get on national broadcasts. If you use League Pass, always choose the "Home" feed. Hearing Rathbun call a Trae Young buzzer-beater is peak Atlanta sports.
Breaking down the costs
Let's get real about the numbers.
If you go the FuboTV route to get the local channels, you're looking at $75+ a month plus a "regional sports fee" that usually tacks on another $12-$15. That’s a lot of money to watch basketball.
The Bally Sports+ app is roughly $19.99/month.
NBA League Pass (Single Team) is usually around $89 for the whole season, or $14.99/month.
If you're a casual fan, the best move is honestly just sticking to the national games and highlights. If you're a fanatic, the Bally Sports+ app is the "cheapest" path for locals, while League Pass is the no-brainer for everyone else.
Technical tips for a better stream
Nothing ruins a game like the "spinning wheel of death" during the fourth quarter. If you're streaming, hardwire your device. Use an Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi is great until your roommate starts downloading a 50GB game update in the other room.
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Also, if you're using the NBA app on a smart TV, sometimes it helps to clear the cache. Those apps are notoriously bloated. I've found that using a dedicated streaming stick like a Roku or Apple TV 4K usually results in a much smoother frame rate than the "native" apps built into a Samsung or LG TV.
What most people get wrong about blackouts
There's a huge misconception that if you pay for the "expensive" League Pass, you get everything. You don't. The NBA's TV deals are designed to protect the broadcasters who pay billions for exclusivity.
If you live in Gwinnett County, you are in the Hawks "territory." Even if the game is on League Pass, it will be grayed out for you because Bally Sports paid for the exclusive right to show it to you. They want you to buy a cable sub or their specific app. It's a closed loop designed to extract as much cash as possible from the local fanbase.
The future of Hawks broadcasting
Keep an eye on Amazon Prime Video. They've been sniffing around the NBA rights for a long time. There's a very real chance that within a year or two, how to watch Hawks games will just involve opening your Prime app.
The regional sports network model is dying. It’s a dinosaur. Fans are tired of having five different subscriptions just to follow one team. Until a major shift happens, though, we’re stuck with this fragmented system.
Actionable steps for tonight's game
Don't wait until tip-off to figure this out.
- Check the schedule: Use the official NBA app to see if the game is on TNT/ESPN or a local network.
- Verify your location: If you're using a streaming service, make sure your "Home Area" is set correctly in the settings, or you might get the wrong regional feed.
- Test the app: Log into your provider (Bally, Fubo, etc.) 15 minutes early. These apps love to force "required updates" exactly at 7:00 PM.
- Audio backup: If all else fails, the Hawks Radio Network with Steve Holman is world-class. You can usually stream the radio call via the Hawks app or a local 92.9 The Game stream.
Watching the Hawks shouldn't be this hard, but the playoff runs and the highlight reels make the struggle worth it. Pick your platform, check your internet speed, and get ready for another season of Atlanta basketball.