Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I get NESN?

A: NESN is available through cable and satellite providers in NESN’s home broadcast territory (all of New England except Fairfield County, CT.). If you live in this territory, call your local television service provider to learn how to get NESN. Much of NESN’s programming is also available outside NESN’s home broadcast territory through NESN National, the network’s national television service.

Q: How do I get NESN National?

A: NESN National is currently available through DirecTV, Dish Network, Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable in select service areas. We continue to work with many other cable and telephone providers in hopes that they will pick up NESN National in other areas of the country.

Q: Why are some Red Sox and Bruins-related programs blacked out outside of NESN’s broadcast territory?

A: NESN does not have the right to distribute many Red Sox and Bruins-related programs outside of our home broadcast territory due to MLB and NHL broadcast regulations. This includes live game broadcasts, rebroadcasts of Red Sox games, classic Red Sox games and any non-news program which includes a significant amount of game highlights. When one of these programs is airing in NESN’s home broadcast territory, NESN National cable subscribers can watch other NESN programs during these times.

Q: How can I get Red Sox and Bruins live game broadcasts outside of NESN’s broadcast territory?

A: DirecTV and many digital cable providers offer special out-of-market packages called MLB Extra Innings and NHL Center Ice. These season-long packages include most of the games that are broadcast on NESN. Please note some games may still be subject to blackouts. For more information, contact your television service provider.

Q: Why are some men’s basketball games unavailable in my area?

A: NESN is televising over 50 NCAA basketball games with 15 ACC games subject to blackout in Connecticut and outside New England. These blackouts are due to preexisting, multiyear TV contracts that involve regional coverage of ACC games.

Q: Can I purchase tapes of NESN programming?

A: Unfortunately, NESN programming is not available for purchase because NESN does not own the rights to redistribute most of our programming outside of when it is broadcast on our air.

Q: How do I submit an idea for a new show on NESN?

A: In order to submit a program idea for consideration by NESN, you will need to print, sign, and mail the document below as indicated within the document.
NESN Programming Waiver