If you’re scrambling to figure out what channel is Golden State on right now, you aren't alone. The NBA’s broadcasting landscape changed a ton recently. It’s not just tuning into TNT or ESPN anymore. Tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Warriors are hosting the Charlotte Hornets at the Chase Center.
If you’re local to the Bay Area, the game is on NBC Sports Bay Area. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM PT (8:30 PM ET). For the folks in the Charlotte market, you'll find it on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (formerly Bally Sports).
Basically, if you’re looking for the Dubs tonight, it’s a regional affair. No national TV tonight. That means if you live in, say, Chicago or New York, you're going to need NBA League Pass or a sneaky good streaming setup to see Steph Curry and company take on the Hornets.
Finding the Warriors in the New Media Landscape
The 2025-26 season feels different because it is. We’ve entered the first year of the massive new 11-year media rights deal. TNT is out of the primary rotation. NBC is back in the game after over two decades. Amazon Prime Video is now a major player. It’s a bit of a mess for the casual fan.
Honestly, the "where do I watch" question depends entirely on the day of the week.
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- Mondays: Often on Peacock.
- Tuesdays: Usually NBC or Peacock.
- Wednesdays: The classic ESPN home.
- Thursdays and Fridays: This is where Amazon Prime Video takes over.
- Saturdays: ABC is the big dog here, but tonight is an exception with the local RSNs taking the lead.
For tonight's game against Charlotte, it's strictly a Regional Sports Network (RSN) broadcast. If you don't have cable, you can find NBC Sports Bay Area on streaming services like Fubo or YouTube TV, provided you're within the local broadcast territory.
Why Regional Blackouts Still Exist (And How to Beat Them)
It’s the most annoying phrase in sports: "This content is not available in your area."
Even in 2026, the NBA protects local TV contracts. If you live in San Francisco, you can't watch the Warriors on NBA League Pass because NBC Sports Bay Area paid for the exclusive right to show it to you. You’ve probably tried to load the app only to see that spinning wheel of doom.
If you’re out of the market, League Pass is a godsend. For about $110 a season, you get every game that isn’t on national TV. But for locals, you need a provider that carries NBCS-BA.
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- YouTube TV: Still a solid choice, though prices have crept up.
- Fubo: Probably the best for sports-heavy fans because they carry almost every RSN.
- Direct-to-Consumer: Some regions now offer a standalone subscription to their local sports network, though the Bay Area has been slower to adopt a solo "NBC Sports Plus" type app than some other markets.
Upcoming Marquee Matchups
You’ve got to plan ahead if you want to see the big games. After tonight’s run-in with the Hornets, the schedule gets spicy. On January 24, the Warriors travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves. That one is a big deal—it’s the NBA Rivals Week showcase and it will be on ABC at 2:30 PM PT.
Then, just two days later on January 26, they play the Wolves again. But check this out: that game is exclusive to Peacock.
See what I mean? It’s a bit of a maze. You could be watching on local cable one night, a major broadcast network the next, and a streaming-only app the third night.
Watching the Dubs for Free?
It’s getting harder, but it’s possible. If a game is on ABC or the main NBC channel, a simple digital antenna works wonders. You’d be surprised how many people forget that "free" TV still exists in 1080p. For tonight’s game against Charlotte, an antenna won't help because it's on a cable-only regional network.
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The Best Ways to Stream Golden State in 2026
If you've cut the cord, you have three real options to make sure you never miss a tip-off.
The Budget Route: Sling TV
Sling is great if you just want ESPN and the occasional national game. It’s cheaper, but you’ll miss almost all the local games on NBC Sports Bay Area. It's basically the "I only care about the playoffs" plan.
The "I Live Outside California" Route: NBA League Pass
If you’re a Warriors fan living in Austin or Boston, this is it. You get everything. Just keep in mind that when the Warriors play on ESPN, ABC, or NBC, those games will be blacked out on League Pass until a few hours after they end.
The "Total Coverage" Route: Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM
These are the only ones that reliably carry the regional sports networks (RSNs). If you want to see the Tuesday night game against a random Eastern Conference team, you need the RSN. It's pricey, usually sitting around $85 to $100 a month now, but it’s the only way to be 100% sure you’re covered.
Actionable Steps to Get Ready for Tip-Off
- Check your zip code: Before you buy a streaming package, use the "channel lookup" tool on Fubo or YouTube TV to ensure NBC Sports Bay Area is actually in your local lineup.
- Sync your calendar: The NBA app has a feature to sync the Warriors' schedule to your phone. It usually lists the broadcast station right in the calendar entry.
- Check the "Exclusive" tags: Keep an eye out for games on Amazon Prime or Peacock. These won't be on your normal cable channels, so make sure your logins are active before the game starts.
Tonight's game is a big one for momentum. The Warriors are sitting at 23-19 and really need to handle business against a struggling Charlotte team. Grab your remote, find NBC Sports Bay Area, and settle in.